Batter’s backswing hits catcher – Pitcher retaliates swiftly.
Your Mileage May Vary: The Unwritten Rules of Baseball
Baseball, America’s pastime, is not just about the rules written in the official rulebook. It also has a set of “unwritten rules” that govern the code of honor and sportsmanship in the game. These unwritten rules are open to interpretation and can spark heated debates among fans and players alike.
Recently, a controversial incident between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs brought these unwritten rules into the spotlight once again. In the first inning of the game, Cubs outfielder Ian Happ accidentally hit Cardinals catcher Wilson Contreras with his backswing. It was a painful blow to Contreras, but both players seemed to understand that it was unintentional.
However, according to the unwritten rules, Cardinals pitcher Miles Mikolas felt obligated to retaliate. In the next pitch, he intentionally hit Happ with a fastball. The umpires quickly ejected Mikolas from the game, as intentional hit by pitches are not tolerated in baseball. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol also got ejected for arguing the call.
The incident divided opinions among fans, with some supporting Mikolas for upholding the unwritten rules and others criticizing him for endangering a player’s safety. The video of the eventful first inning went viral, further fueling the debate.
Ian Happ hit Willson Contreras on a backswing and Contreras was removed from the game
Two pitches later, Miles Mikolas hit Happ with a pitch. Mikolas and Oli Marmol were ejected from the game pic.twitter.com/vP3LgdRn3X
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) July 28, 2023
The incident led to Mikolas receiving a five-game suspension and an undisclosed fine from Major League Baseball (MLB). Mikolas is currently appealing the decision. MLB has been aware of the divisive nature of the unwritten rules and has even launched campaigns like “Let the Kids Play” to encourage more freedom of expression in the game.
However, when it comes to situations like this, where a player accidentally injures an opponent, the application of the unwritten rules becomes murkier. It remains to be seen how MLB will handle such incidents in the future.
As the Cubs and Cardinals face off in Game 3, all eyes will be on the players and the umpires to see if any further retaliation or controversy arises. The unwritten rules of baseball continue to be a topic of discussion and intrigue in the world of America’s favorite pastime.
The post Batter Knocks Catcher with a Wicked Backswing – Two Swings Later, Vengeful Pitcher Dishes Out the Pain appeared first on The Western Journal.
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