I've never asked my team to shoot middle after being hit at, or even hit. It's part of the game, and when I've had a teammate ask if they should retaliate i always explain that...
I've absolutely had opposing pitchers intentionally try and hit me and verbally make it known, and at that point it may, or may not, become a competition, for me personally
Pitcher on pitcher violence is 100% acceptable.
Most of the stuff on here, for pitching, is good stuff. It's beginner, fundamental, but good. But also, let's be honest about the position.
The position is either because you think you're a badass or you act like you're a badass. Lots of glory, lots of blame, lots of pain. Depends on the player. You don't adjust yourself to the position, you are who you are and you own that position.
Roll the ball to first? Situational. Blast middle as a pitcher? Situational. Talk **** to the DHH or every batter? Situational. Threaten to throw hands after middle shot? Situational.
Like it or leave it, different personalities occupy the mound. 8 other guys are behind him to follow his lead, right or wrong, as the game is being played. That's part of what makes slow pitch softball dynamic and not just another Thursday night of playing bridge.
What I'm getting at is this: don't like the way someone does something? Suck it up and do it your way. Be better.
Don't like someone's answer? Provide a better one. Don't like someone blasting middle? Get a glove and play 5 man.
I'll pitch low and outside to a DHH. I'll pitch high and inside to the batter way off the box, I'll do whatever I can to have them deviate from what they want to do, because I am able to handle whatever they got and so are the teammates behind me.
