Charging the Mound

When Charging the Mound ( to German as " storm on the hill " ) is in baseball the physical attack (or the attempt of an attack ) refers to the pitcher by the batter, usually as a result of a hit by pitch or a ball, which is almost leads to hit by pitch, which the batter does not indicate as unfortunate throw, but as a deliberate attempt by the pitcher to hit him. As with a hit by pitch is connected a not insignificant risk of injury, this reaction is indeed understandable, but prohibited ( unsportsmanlike conduct, attacking players or referees; rules 9:01 ( d), 9:05 ( b)).

The term charging, ie attack or assault, is derived from the English charge, which in this case for a sudden, often unexpected for the enemy attack is on something or someone, in this case the pitcher's mound and the pitcher located there.

Such situation generally advised within a very short time out of control, where the procedure is often similar. The Catcher, as teammate of the pitcher is trying to protect his pitcher, and in turn sets off in pursuit of the batter on. The person sitting on the bench players now want to turn compensate for any outnumbered situations and within a very short time the entire infield is occupied by both teams, with often more than insults are exchanged blows.

Usually, the batsman would like the pitcher with a Charging the Mound not hurt, but reacts rather spontaneously on a pitch that hit him painfully.

Frequently go to the Charging the Mound preceded by a string of hits by a pitch, which then escalate through mutual " revenge " to a Massenkeilerei.

In the history of MLB, the penalties for such situations were significantly increased over time, since the eighth commissioner of MLB Fay Vincent introduced a stricter approach. Nowadays, the initiators of a Charging the Mound must often face heavy fines and longer-term locks.