Bean ball is a term used in baseball to describe a pitch that is thrown at or near a batter’s head, with the intention of intimidating or hitting him. It has been a practice in baseball since the early days, and has been a source of controversy in recent years. In this article, we’ll explore the history and meaning behind the term, as well as why it’s called “bean” in baseball.
The Origin of “Bean” in Baseball
The term “bean” in baseball is thought to have originated in the late 19th century. The term was first used in 1887, when the Chicago White Stockings (now the Chicago Cubs) pitcher John Clarkson threw a pitch that was intended to hit the batter but instead hit the catcher in the chest. The catcher, who was wearing a protective chest pad, was knocked unconscious. After the game, Clarkson jokingly said he was trying to “bean” the batter.
The Meaning Behind “Bean”
The term “bean” has come to mean a pitch that is thrown at or near a batter’s head with the intention of intimidating him. The term is also used to describe a pitch that is thrown with the intention of hitting the batter. It is considered a dangerous practice, as it can lead to serious injury. In some cases, the pitcher may even be ejected from the game.
Why Is It Called “Bean” in Baseball?
There are several theories as to why the term “bean” is used in baseball. One theory is that the term was derived from the fact that the ball looks like a bean when it is thrown at a batter’s head. Another theory is that the term was derived from the fact that the ball can “rattle” off the batter’s helmet like a bean in a can.
The History of Bean Balls
Bean ball has been a part of baseball since its early days. In the 1800s, it was common for pitchers to throw at batters as a way to intimidate them. The practice was even more prevalent in the early 1900s, when the game was more physical and the pitches were often thrown at the batter’s head.
The Debate Over Bean Balls
Bean balls have been a source of debate in recent years, as some believe that it is a dangerous practice that should be banned. Others argue that it is a part of the game, and should be allowed as long as it is not done maliciously.
MLB’s Response to Bean Balls
In 2014, Major League Baseball (MLB) implemented a new rule that prohibits pitchers from intentionally throwing at a batter’s head. The rule states that a pitcher can be ejected from the game and suspended for up to six games if he intentionally throws at a batter’s head. The rule also states that a pitcher can be suspended for three games if he intentionally throws at a batter’s body.
Why Do Pitchers Throw Bean Balls?
There are several reasons why pitchers may throw bean balls. One reason is to intimidate the batter and make it difficult for him to hit the ball. Another reason is to retaliate against a batter who has hit a home run off the pitcher in a previous at-bat.
Conclusion
Bean ball is a term used in baseball to describe a pitch that is thrown at or near a batter’s head, with the intention of intimidating or hitting him. The term has been a part of baseball since its early days, and has been a source of debate in recent years. The origin of the term is thought to be from the late 19th century, and the meaning behind it is to intimidate or hit the batter. Major League Baseball has implemented a rule that prohibits pitchers from intentionally throwing at a batter’s head, and there are several reasons why pitchers may throw bean balls.
Bean ball is an important part of the game of baseball, and has a long and storied history. Although it is controversial, it is a part of the game that is unlikely to go away anytime soon.