40% of national poll respondents think hitting a batter intentionally is okay, and that’s not okay

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While the Mariners don’t usually find themselves in brawls, there have been some heated moments over the first full month of the season. This week’s national question addresses the issue: is it ever okay for a pitcher to intentionally hit/throw behind/throw at a batter? (We’re using “bean” here as “strike anywhere on the body,” not “throw at the head of,” which is clearly barbarism.)

Look, I don’t know who these 40% yes-es are, but this is one thing where I see it as a completely black-and-white issue. In no case is it ever okay to commit assault for revenge or pride or any other reasons. Doing that is messing with someone’s livelihood, career, and health, and it’s absolutely unacceptable in any case. Or as John put it:

You don’t want batters to show you up, make better pitches. Also, though, pitchers should create their own version of a batflip when they accomplish something. Maybe like Justus does:

I’m curious about what our community, specifically, thinks about this:

Checking in on our questions regarding the direction of the team/managerial approval, the numbers didn’t fall off as precipitously as I anticipated given the back-to-back sweeps, although nearly sweeping the Angels might have helped soften the blow.

Managerial approval was back up to 89%, as well.

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