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Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Double Walk to replace IBB
There are different variations of the “double walk”. The first time I read it was from Bill James’ Baseball Abstract, but according to Peter Morris, it originated with a sportswriter in 1937. Anyway, one version is that a batter has the option to decline ANY walk, which resets the ball count, but maintains the strike count. A second walk moves the batter to second base: the double walk. (Any runners that have to be forced over are forced over.)
One version that we discussed a few years ago focused only on 4-0 walks walks.
The rule is simple: Any 4-0 walk, intentional or not, results in a two-base penalty. If you have a runner on 2B, the 4-0 walk gets you runners on 1B and 3B. If you have a runner on 3B, then it’s guys on 2B and 3B. And, with runners on 2B and 3B, the batter goes to 1B, the runner on 2B stays put, and the runner on 3B scores. Under this scenario, how often would a pitcher not give the batter at least one strike?
Of course, you’re going to have to tie this in with a change to hit batter, as you don’t want to avoid the 4-0 walk by plunking the batter. Therefore, a hit batter (or perhaps a no-strike hit batter) counts the same as a 4-0 walk.
The law of unintended consequence may creep in. Batters will look to get hit, the pitcher will groove too many in, etc.
The challenge is out. Give me your proposals, and please, don’t maintain the status quo, or knock down every thing you see. This is a brainstorming session. Be creative.