"Unwritten Rule" Gets Max Kepler Hit By A Pitch

Gee Mr. Pitcher, I'm sorry. I got so excited to actually see a strike I swung and got a base hit off of you. So, at how many runs up does this "rule" kick in? You're supposed to try to win but not by too much, is that it? So the payback for this infraction is you get to drill the next batter. Really? Great, lets risk an injury because someone's pride gets hurt? I think its BS.

Whether you agree with certain unwritten rules or not, and whether those rules are followed "correctly" during certain circumstances, a pitcher should always be fined for throwing at a hitter on purpose. 

If the pitcher does not agree with the fine, then they should have an opportunity to appeal it. However, most of these situations are pretty obvious. 

*If a player is plunked with off-speed stuff, they were not hit on purpose!*

As noted in the game thread, this unwritten rule is derived from a bunch of highly competitive professionals who do this over the course of six month and in many cases have to play each other again the next day/week/month. It's a little professional courtesy of "don't pile on when the game is out of reach" combined with "let's all get through this one without anyone getting hurt". And in baseball (as with many sports), the players/managers have assumed the duty of enforcing these unwritten rules on the field (and one of the reasons for that was so that things stayed on the field).

If you think this is all stupid, you are entitled to your opinion. As with all unwritten rules, they do tend to evolve and change over the years (and new ones will be created) as player's attitudes about the game change. For example, players fraternizing with each other from different teams used to be a non-starter (and at one point crossed from unwritten rule to written rule) and it's completely gone away.

Attitudes towards sportsmanship in this country are changing and evolving and that impacts how people perceive this. there are people who think the concept of sportsmanship is entirely outdated as it applies to professional athletics, because of the professional nature of the game. YMMV on whether that's true or not, or good or not.

There are others who look at baseball's traditions as a way to preserve a cherished view of the past, where the things they liked about baseball's "glory years" are celebrated, including things like unwritten rules, while other aspects are ignored or discarded (racism, drug use, etc.).

I will say some of the comps people have been providing from other sports are a little silly: being up by 8 in the 9th is NOT the equivalent to being up by 10 with 2 minutes left in a basketball game...even in today's homer-happy era.

Part of me likes baseball's unwritten rules because they are often a little dumb. Keeping the sport a little weirder, a little goofy and so on isn't always a bad thing.

The pitcher should be fined and suspended. What an immature person. Until the game is over, it isn't over.

If the pitcher admitted it I would say throwing a ball at someone at 93 mph should result in assault charges.    Only slightly kidding here.    At a minimum the pitcher should have been kicked out of the game.    No, my opinion wouldn't change at all if it were a Twins pitcher.    Being mad at someone for swinging at a 3-0 is so asinine it is mind boggling.    Not quite as ridiculous as CC throwing at someone cuz they try bunting for a base hit but it is in the same ballpark.    I don't think too many people agreed with Dozier in some of his rants in the past about unwritten rules.    https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/23005962/brian-dozier-take-baseball-unwritten-rules-silly-brilliant-same

I commented on the game thread so won;t repeat.   I will say I think it should have ended when Cave acknowledged his mistake at first base -  he was either unaware of the rule or didn't realize the count?  CJ Nitkowski on a radio show here in Dallas mentioned today, the Rangers were still shifting on Cave - so he has no problem with Cave swinging on the 3-0 pitch.   If they are still playing full force why can't both teams?   I mean otherwise just have a slaughter rule and call the game.   No one is backing that Kepler should have been hit except Kelley.    Hope he pitches again in the series and Kepler takes him deep.      

I don't disagree with much of this, in theory. However, unwritten rule or not, Cave acknowledged it and apologized BEFORE Kepler even came to bat. So, if it were an unwritten rule, and it seemed it was, as Watkins seemed to be telling Cave that, and Cave had already taken responsibility for his 'grievous' behavior, that should have been the end of it. To then throw at the next batter after Cave already tipped his hat in compliance with said unwritten rule, was uncalled for. There was no reason, imo, to retaliate. Honestly, I don't like to see anyone being thrown at because a bad throw can truly injure a player, however, in this case, there seemed to be no reason for it even if you put stock in the unwritten rules. 

Yep. The pitcher is kind of a dumbass here, because you can't demand fidelity to unwritten rules if you ignore them yourself and the whole "hat tip" apology is one of the oldest ones out there.

And of course, traditionally when enforcing an unwritten rule against a teammate of the rule-breaker the pitcher never would throw their best fastball, nor would it ever get near the head. Nor do you wait multiple pitches to do it...are we sure this pitcher doesn't just suck?

re: "there are people who think the concept of sportsmanship is entirely outdated"

 

Since when is responding with violence to an unknowing violation of some obscure, dubious etiquette rule "sportsmanship"?

 

True sportsmanship would involve experienced players explaining to their younger teammates how to show respect for their opponents, and if a rookie unintentionally offended someone, having them apologize. Which is exactly what the Twins did.

 

Sportsmanship is not angrily trying to impose your will on others through violence and intimidation, especially if they meant no harm and/or did nothing wrong.

So your issue is how sportsmanship is enforced in baseball?

Do you agree with the unwritten rule that you don't swing at a 3-0 pitch late in a blowout? And do you believe that's an appropriate display of sportsmanship?

I'm honestly curious what people think on some of this.