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Online now: 4 members: 3_SoftballFreak, Coach5, LC7, TABLE SETTER 11; 82 anonymousDiscussion: An unspoken courtsey gesture...
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| June 1, 2017 KP&R 22 posts | An unspoken courtsey gesture... As witnessed by an umpire in last night's adult slow pitch leagues... Two veteran pitchers, long time friends and occasional team mates, face each other at the plate. Not a senior ballgame; each having younger team mates for this regular season match-up. Both are excellent pitchers, some 130yrs experience between them. With that experience comes shared respect and courtesy, an honor neither would just 'grant' to the younger players on the opposing team. A tense game, just one run between them. Runners on the corners, an out on the board. The gusts are forcing a higher number of walks than normal, an encounter both pitchers know well. Finding himself behind in the count, and fearing the tying run at third, the pitcher lets the ball slip a little early on his release, sending what would have been a guaranteed walk to load the bases with a power hitter coming up next. There was never a moment's hesitation from the batter. He knew he was going to swing at the outside pitch; the least he could offer as a courtesy to his fellow pitcher to avoid a walk. A slightly off balance swing accompanied by a dropped shoulder resulted in a chopped dribbler that rolled right at the pitcher. A chorus of excited shouts from the infielders, echos of "turn-two" and "Roll it up!" The pitcher, on autopilot, stepped towards the slow-roller, made a clean scoop on the ball and without so much as a moments hesitation, returned the courtesy shown to him by his fellow pitcher. He throws a rainbow to first base, scoring the force out but deliberately not taking advantage of the easy double-play ball. No words were spoken, nor were they needed. Uncommon respect, courtesy and sportsmanship between two veterans of the game. A great example that may be lost on players of a younger generation... |
| June 1, 2017 DieselDan Men's 75 602 posts | Great story. |
| June 2, 2017 MurrayW Men's 65 221 posts | Why not just swing and miss if the pitcher was behind in the count, then both players compete on the next pitch? |
