Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site ucla-cs.ARPA Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!mgnetp!ihnp4!zehntel!hplabs!sdcrdcf!trwrba!cepu!ucla-cs!lor From: lor@ucla-cs.UUCP Newsgroups: net.sport.baseball Subject: Beanball penalties Message-ID: <805@ucla-cs.ARPA> Date: Tue, 14-Aug-84 17:12:59 EDT Article-I.D.: ucla-cs.805 Posted: Tue Aug 14 17:12:59 1984 Date-Received: Thu, 16-Aug-84 07:15:48 EDT Organization: UCLA CS Dept. Lines: 33 It is really too much. In the past week we saw full-scale brawls in two games (Mets at Cubs, Padres at Braves). Should the major league office do something about it? In the NBA playoff last season, many players breaking away for baskets were fouled terribly. The NBA decided to change the rule (two foul shots + possession of the ball) to protect the players. Why can't we do that in baseball? Arguments between the teams center on whether the beanball is intentional or not, which is the cause of retaliation. We should consider this irrelevant. If a batter is beaned, either accidentally or intentionally, the pitcher should be penalized. This, however, does not apply if the batter deliberately steps on the plate to be hit. These are the suggestions: 1) Award the beaned player, plus any other players on base at that time, runs. So beaning a player is equivalent to giving a home run. or 2) Eject the pitcher immediately, no matter it is first time, second time, or retaliation. Dickie Thon of Houston was hit on the face at the beginning of this season. He still has not recovered from that hit, and may be forced to retired. That bean may have been accidental, but if a pitcher realizes the penalty, he may have better control on his throw.