Baseball Fight Protocol 101
Welcome to Baseball Fight Protocol 101, brought to you by Baseball Tonight analysts John Kruk and Eric Young. The two former players explained during the Tues., Aug. 11, 10 p.m. ET edition of Baseball Tonight how Boston’s Kevin Youkilis and Detroit’s Rick Porcello failed to follow the correct protocol of a fight when Youkilis charged Porcello after being hit by a pitch.
Next time you hit a batter or get hit by a pitch in your slow pitch softball league, remember the following.
What Porcello did wrong:
• He drifted backward the wrong way, towards first base. Detroit occupied the third base dugout and former catcher Brandon Inge, who has experience in these situations, was at third base. Porcello put himself at a disadvantage by drifting away from his best reinforcements.
What Youkilis did wrong:
• He took off his helmet and threw it at a defenseless pitcher.
• Instead of throwing a punch, he tried to wrestle Porcello, and was thrown to the ground.
So who won the fight? Youkilis had the physical advantage and psychological rage on his side, but Porcello pinned Youkilis. Porcello wins.
Tags: Baseball Tonight, Eric Young, John Kruk, Major League Baseball
