This past season Little League Baseball allowed managers to issue an intentional walk and send the batter to first base without the pitcher throwing at all. Now, while the intentional walk might be a good game tactic, it does nothing for the development of either the pitcher nor the hitter.
In order to develop mental toughness as either a pitcher or a hitter, both must learn to deal with the stress that is associated with a batter coming to the plate in a key situation. If an intentional walk is issued, then neither get to “live the moment” when everything is on the line. In effect, by focusing on winning the game, the manager has denied that unique opportunity to both players. If you don’t let them work through those situations now while they are young, how will they deal with those issues as they get older.
