The etiquette of retaliation.(throwing at hitters in professional baseball)(Brief Article)

This year, Major League Baseball has tried to toughen its stance in many areas. In some instances, it needs to. But I'm not sure the zero tolerance policy on throwing at hitters can be handled by the league office.

Let me start by saying that retaliation is not necessary in little league, high school or college.

But the big leagues is a whole different story. We play every day, and one of the most important things on a big-league club is chemistry. To be successful, a team needs chemistry; without it, a team probably won't win.

Part of chemistry is hitters knowing pitchers will protect them.. If a pitcher doesn't protect his hitters, he will be ostracized. Hitters need to know that if an opposing pitcher is taking potshots, his pitchers won't take it.

The thing that stinks is if one of your guys hits a homer, pimps around the bases and then gets hit the next time up. Even if it's your hitter's fault, you have to protect him. So you send the message to the other team, then pull your hitter aside and tell him you won't be doing that for him again.

What happens if a young pitcher lets one get away? Do you hit one of their guys, or do you let it go?

And understand one thing: When you retaliate, there is a way to do it.