Pitching Tips: Use Of The Intentional Walk

We will use the intentional walk to:
1. Pitch around good hitters
2. Set up a force play and/or double play situation
Often times we will resort to the “unintentional but intentional walk”. Even though we do not really want to pitch to the hitter, we are willing to let him hit bad pitches. Usually we throw him curve balls slightly out of the strike zone, hoping he will make an out on a bad pitch to hit. 

On a true intentional walk, the pitcher should pitch from the set position, come to his stop, check the runners and throw 3/4 speed fastballs shoulder high to his catcher, 2-3 feet outside the strike zone. 

The catcher may stand up, hold his hand out for the target, but he must stay in the catcher’s box until the pitcher releases the ball. 
On an intentional pass, all infielders and outfielders should cover their normal defensive area because the pitch could still be hit.