They just imitating the goofy ass college and pro players.

Tell everyone what you mean by “bodyblock” please Dave.

You spikes high you try to roll up an ankle or be a general butthead earns you #1. Let me be clear drilling is only meant for the ribs never the head. It builds team chemistry when a pitcher knows his teammates will support him in doling out how the game should be played. I've seen it taught and yes as an umpire I've issued warning afterwards. Have I ever run a pitcher after drilling? Yes but normally that's from the fight afterwards. Showing up your opponent or disrespecting the game generally results in a drilling and after a couple of them players self evaluate "why am I being plunked." And they calm down.

Dave how old are you? You describe professional baseball from the 70s. You can’t even slide into a force play with spikes up anymore per NFHS rules. If it’s not intentional it’s a double out of it’s intentional it’s an ejection. The kid never sees another pitch to retaliate. Plus it’s high school. Most arms are lower to mid 80s at best. The kid you try to hit just moves or enjoys getting a HBP because it doesn’t hurt bad enough to send a message. 90+ is a different story but there’s not a lot of those arms running around. 82 poo tries to retaliate with a ball in the ribs and the kid moves 4 times and you got a walk. Yeah makes sense.

It’s even easier at the middle school or JV level. Come on man get with the times.



This is it. No big deal. Most kids I coach or umpire are just having fun and the other team don’t take offense. It’s kinda like an offensive player giving the first down sign every time they run for a first down in college football. Who freaking cares?

Just came across this and thought it should be here: "(Hank Aaron told me) 'Don't dig in against Bob Gibson, he'll knock you down. He'd knock down his own grandmother if she dared to challenge him. Don't stare at him, don't smile at him, don't talk to him. He doesn't like it. If you happen to hit a home run, don't run too slow, don't run too fast. If you happen to want to celebrate, get in the tunnel first. And if he hits you, don't charge the mound, because he's a Gold Glove boxer.' I'm like, 'Damn, what about my 17-game hitting streak?' That was the night it ended."
- Dusty Baker on Bob Gibson