Baseball Question
 

Why would a pitcher intentionally 'walk' someone ??

I saw this a while back and meant to ask.

Bearing in mind i am a Brit who knows little about the sport, and only watch it because it's on Live at silly hours in the morning here, when there's nothing else on... :pimp

There are certain batters that known for being "power hitters". They may walk some of these guys if the bases are loaded or the score is close as to not risk them hitting a home run.

And if there is a weak batter up next, and walking the current batter gives you abetter chance of getting out of the inning, the risk is better...

And if there is someone already on 2nd base, by loadinf up 1st with the walk, it puts the double play in effect...

Tons of reasons actually.

doubtful theyd walk anyone purposely with the bases loaded but the "power hitter" comment was dead on. If there's an open base and a power hitter comes up with other guys on base, chances are he'll be walked to face a weaker batter in the lineup.

So it's basically fearing a good player/hitter ??

I kinda thought that, but thought surely not though. Seems a bit shit for the next guy, knowing they want him up next... :1orglaugh

Correct, but it is extremely rare for a "team" to walk a batter a batter if the bases are loaded.

Scott McD, remeber that it is the coach's call.

Baseball is a complicated game. I've always found it very hard to explain to foreigners.

Baseball is a constant game of strategy.

Barry bonds would be an example of a hitter you would want to walk.

straight into federal custody.

Nearly as hard as explaining cricket in the other direction.