<p>“Why don’t they encourage 12-year-olds to do the same? I thought that physical fights are acceptable in sports?”</p>
<p>Essentially because any Little League coach I know who thought the opposing coach told his pitcher or allowed his pitcher to throw at a hitter on purpose would kick a mud hole in the guys butt and then stomp it dry. Yes younger players play under somewhat modified rules. Fields are smaller, strike zones bigger, limits on contact etc.</p>
<p>They don’t call it hardball for nuthin’</p>