http://www.theoleballgame.com/Baseball-Coaching-blog.html The baseball coaching blog keeps you up to date with all the additions and changes to the oleballgame.com website. Subscribe here. en-us baseball Fri, 18 May 2012 04:32:00 GMT Fri, 18 May 2012 04:32:00 GMT theoleballgame.com http://www.theoleballgame.com/rundown-or-pickle-play.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/rundown-or-pickle-play.html Robert asked: I was always taught to incorporate 4 players on the run down and to peel back to the bag you came from. For instance with a runner on Fri, 18 May 2012 04:31:55 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/location-of-outfielders.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/location-of-outfielders.html Can all of the outfielders on a team move to the infield (baselines) when a weaker batter is at bat? Rick answered: Jennifer, thank you for your question. Thu, 17 May 2012 21:13:06 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/my-son-cant-hit-a-ball-past-pitchers-mound.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/my-son-cant-hit-a-ball-past-pitchers-mound.html Jim asked: My 11 yr old son has great hand eye and can hit any pitcher. Problem is he has no power going into ball. He hits all ground balls and real Wed, 16 May 2012 00:03:19 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/bases-loaded-with-the-winning-run-at-3rd-with-1-out.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/bases-loaded-with-the-winning-run-at-3rd-with-1-out.html Chris asked: I had the bases loaded with one out and a winning run at 3rd, in the last inning. Our second best contact hitter with the highest OBP Tue, 15 May 2012 23:05:46 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/what-is-the-most-important-play-in-baseball-the-next-one.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/what-is-the-most-important-play-in-baseball-the-next-one.html Ed's quote: WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PLAY IN BASBALL? THE NEXT ONE WHEN PLAYERS SEEM TO GET DOWN AFTER MAKING A ERROR OR STRIKE OUT I USE THIS Tue, 15 May 2012 04:42:47 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/is-home-run-official-if-batter-doesnt-make-it-to-home-plate.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/is-home-run-official-if-batter-doesnt-make-it-to-home-plate.html Mark asked: Scenario: Bottom of the 9th with 2 on and home team is down by 1. Batter hits a homerun and the 2 runners cross home plate putting them up Mon, 14 May 2012 05:00:13 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/baseballcoachingaboutus.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/baseballcoachingaboutus.html Baseball coaching about us is truly are a compilation of my 46 plus years of playing and coaching baseball, and the lifetime of information learned from all those I have come in contact with. Sun, 13 May 2012 23:23:02 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/what-is-the-ruling-regarding-a-retired-runner-left-on-base.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/what-is-the-ruling-regarding-a-retired-runner-left-on-base.html Joe asked: Baseball rule regarding a (retired )runner mistakenly left on base? Rick answered: Good question Joe. A situation like you described has Sat, 12 May 2012 05:42:52 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/can-a-batter-get-an-rbi-on-a-dropped-third-strike.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/can-a-batter-get-an-rbi-on-a-dropped-third-strike.html A runner is on third; the batter strikes out but the ball is dropped; when the catcher throws the batter out at first the runner scores. Does the batter Sat, 12 May 2012 05:21:18 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/runner-on-firstground-ball-to-second-the-runner-on-first-never-left-the-base-we-threw-to-first-to-force-the-batter-isnt-the-runner-on-first-supposed-to-vacate-the-base-ken.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/runner-on-firstground-ball-to-second-the-runner-on-first-never-left-the-base-we-threw-to-first-to-force-the-batter-isnt-the-runner-on-first-supposed-to-vacate-the-base-ken.html Ken asked: Baserunning rules: Runner on first, ground ball to second, the runner on first never left the base. We threw to first to force the batter. Sat, 12 May 2012 05:07:48 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/down-4-next-to-last-inning-runners-on-1st-and-2nd-no-outs-contact-hitter-at-the-plate-what-do-you-call.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/down-4-next-to-last-inning-runners-on-1st-and-2nd-no-outs-contact-hitter-at-the-plate-what-do-you-call.html Anonymous asked: Down 4 next to last inning, runners on 1st and 2nd no outs, contact hitter at the plate, what do you call? Rick answered: Great situation! Fri, 11 May 2012 04:06:17 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/if-the-outfielder-is-in-the-act-of-running-and-misses-a-ball-is-it-a-hit.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/if-the-outfielder-is-in-the-act-of-running-and-misses-a-ball-is-it-a-hit.html Joe asked: If an outfielder is in the act of running and misses a fly ball is it an error? Rick answered: Great question and great baseball name. A Mon, 07 May 2012 05:13:26 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/signals.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/signals.html Anonymous asked: Is a signal from the coach to his pitcher and catcher legal from dugout? Rick answered: Thank you for your question. Yes, a signal Mon, 07 May 2012 04:33:07 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/my-son-cant-hit-off-a-kid-pitch-why.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/my-son-cant-hit-off-a-kid-pitch-why.html Anonymous asked:My son can hit off the coach pitch but not kid pitch. He is 8 loves, the game but is getting aggravated at not being able to hit. Help! Fri, 04 May 2012 00:00:19 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/double-play-or-triple-play.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/double-play-or-triple-play.html Bruce asked: No outs. Runners on first and second. Runners begin to advance on the batter's line drive. First baseman catches the line drive, touches Thu, 03 May 2012 17:35:35 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/hit-or-fielders-choice.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/hit-or-fielders-choice.html Karla asked: Runner on second, no other base runners. Batter hits a high chopper between short and third. The pitcher runs over and fields the play Thu, 03 May 2012 16:32:58 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/how-to-stop-hitting-ground-balls.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/how-to-stop-hitting-ground-balls.html Chuck asked: My 10 year old son hits the ball well,and seems to have a level swing, but seems to hit mostly ground balls. Any tips? ps. I noticed you Thu, 03 May 2012 15:45:24 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/ball.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/ball.html Anonymous asked: Really simple question here. Pitcher throws a ball. Batter still hits it to the outfield. Does it count as a homer? Thanks! Rick answered: Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:37:48 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/soft-toss-highlow.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/soft-toss-highlow.html Coach Schupak submitted:Soft Toss: High/Low A coach will toss two balls at the same time: one high and one low. Instead of the coach yelling out a distinguishable Thu, 26 Apr 2012 04:05:49 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/son-being-benched-repeatedly.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/son-being-benched-repeatedly.html Gio asked: My son is 10 years old and on a full time travel league. For the last 4 years my sons heart has been into baseball, let me add he is pretty Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:39:08 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/is-418-the-latest-date-as-of-today-that-both-the-orioles-nats-have-had-sole-posession-of-first-place.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/is-418-the-latest-date-as-of-today-that-both-the-orioles-nats-have-had-sole-posession-of-first-place.html Tom asked: Is 4/18 the latest date (as of today) that both the Orioles & Nats have had sole posession of first place? Rick answered: Tom, I have not Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:57:57 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/when-do-you-run.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/when-do-you-run.html Nick asked: Okay, so I've got a question. :) There's a runner on first base. No outs. That's all. So when let's say in this case, the batter gets to Tue, 24 Apr 2012 04:28:08 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/with-less-than-2-outs-a-runner-on-3rd-and-a-ball-hit-to-3rd-does-the-runner-go-home.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/with-less-than-2-outs-a-runner-on-3rd-and-a-ball-hit-to-3rd-does-the-runner-go-home.html Ken asked: With a runner on 3rd base and less than 2 outs; should the runner go home on a ball hit back to the third basemen? Rick answered: Ken, thank Sun, 22 Apr 2012 20:42:34 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/bunt-out-fair-ball-or-hit-batter.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/bunt-out-fair-ball-or-hit-batter.html Anonymous asked: Batter turns towards to the pitcher and attempts a bunt. The ball slightly glances off the bat, and hits the batter on the shoulder. Sun, 22 Apr 2012 19:42:07 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/when-is-a-base-considered-occupied.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/when-is-a-base-considered-occupied.html Chip asked: This comes into question when a dropped third strike happens but a runner on first base has already left the base on a steal of second. Rick Sun, 22 Apr 2012 19:31:56 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/consecutive-strikeouts.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/consecutive-strikeouts.html Anonymous asked: Record in mlb is ten, by Tom Seaver, who has come up with 9? Dodger pitcher did it yesterday, how many more? Rick answered: Thank you Thu, 19 Apr 2012 17:23:30 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/batter-steps-over-first-base-without-touching-the-bag.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/batter-steps-over-first-base-without-touching-the-bag.html Anonymous asked: If a batter hits a ball and runs to first base but actually fails to touch the base(steps over it) and there is no play by the first Tue, 17 Apr 2012 19:27:56 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/etiquette-on-first-base.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/etiquette-on-first-base.html Anonymous asked: Recently, we have had an incident of our baserunner running through first base, and the first baseman also running to the bag to try Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:14:13 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/fastest-base-running.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/fastest-base-running.html Steve asked: If two guys are of equal speed, who is quicker getting from third to home - the guy on third who starts from a dead stop, or the guy on second Tue, 17 Apr 2012 05:22:34 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/has-a-player-ever-hit-the-cycle-twice-in-a-game.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/has-a-player-ever-hit-the-cycle-twice-in-a-game.html Drew Asked: Has a player ever got two singles, two doubles, two triples and two home runs, all in one game? Rick answered: Drew, thank you for your Tue, 17 Apr 2012 04:56:49 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/position-for-the-defense-with-one-out-and-bases-are-loaded.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/position-for-the-defense-with-one-out-and-bases-are-loaded.html Anonymous asked: Position for the defense with one out and bases are loaded? Rick answered: Thank you for your question. Where the infielders are set Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:01:16 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/high-school-ball-equals-no-play-time.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/high-school-ball-equals-no-play-time.html Frustrated parent asked: How to handle.... New coaches to a high school. they roster 32 kids on the team...half varsity, half JV.... No freshmen team. Sun, 08 Apr 2012 05:34:12 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/tag-ups.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/tag-ups.html Rich asked: Runners@ 3rd and 2nd, one out, batter hits a fly out to center. Runner on third tag is legal, but runner on 2nd left to soon. Runner on Sun, 08 Apr 2012 04:17:07 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/who-are-the-players-to-hit-50-homeruns-an-steal-50-bases.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/who-are-the-players-to-hit-50-homeruns-an-steal-50-bases.html Cody asked: Who are the players to hit 50 homeruns and steal 50 bases? Rick answered: Cody, thank you for your question. There has not yet been a player Sun, 08 Apr 2012 03:51:21 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/pitch-count.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/pitch-count.html Gerard asked: What is your philosophy concernig the 3-0 count? I personally believe in having my batter take the next pitch in almost every situation. Sun, 08 Apr 2012 00:06:07 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/can-a-batter-cause-a-balk.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/can-a-batter-cause-a-balk.html Rusty asked: Man on third, a batter steps out of the box without the umpires permission and the pitcher stops his windup and doesn't throw the ball. Does Mon, 02 Apr 2012 18:39:57 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/sac-bunt-or-fielders-choice.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/sac-bunt-or-fielders-choice.html Anonymous asked: Batter attempts a sac bunt to score runner on 3rd. Pitcher fields the bunt throws to catcher (runner is safe); catcher then throws to Mon, 02 Apr 2012 18:06:32 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/a-single-to-center-fieldrunner-on-firsteach-player-has-a-specific-assignment-where-does-the-pichter-need-to-be.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/a-single-to-center-fieldrunner-on-firsteach-player-has-a-specific-assignment-where-does-the-pichter-need-to-be.html Greyson asked: A single to center field,runner on first,each player has a specific assignment, where does the pitcher need to be? Rick answered: Greyson, Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:04:15 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/how-many-pitches-should-a-17-yr-old-throw-in-1-day.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/how-many-pitches-should-a-17-yr-old-throw-in-1-day.html Anonymous asked: My son pitched a double header last year with a total of 204 pitches. He spent 1 1/2 innings at short stop also. This year, first game Tue, 20 Mar 2012 17:59:02 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/individual-instruction-ad.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/individual-instruction-ad.html Individual instruction for building or fine tuning your game! Sun, 18 Mar 2012 17:24:06 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/index.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/index.html Baseball coaching techniques developed from 46 years combined playing and coaching experiences, in this very special game. Sat, 17 Mar 2012 13:40:30 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/last-player-to-be-awarded-first-base-for-interference-by-a-player-other-than-a-catcher.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/last-player-to-be-awarded-first-base-for-interference-by-a-player-other-than-a-catcher.html Roger asked: Player awarded first base for interference not by a catcher. Rick answered: Roger, thank you for your question. I have been unable to Fri, 16 Mar 2012 17:06:04 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/little-league-baseball-batter-hits-solid-double-but-is-thrown-out-trying-to-stretch-it-for-a-triple.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/little-league-baseball-batter-hits-solid-double-but-is-thrown-out-trying-to-stretch-it-for-a-triple.html Anonymous asked: Howdy: Question on how to properly log the following situation: Little League Batter (Age 10) hits a solid double. He safely reaches Mon, 12 Mar 2012 04:04:48 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/drop-3rd-strike-with-bases-loaded-can-the-batter-advance.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/drop-3rd-strike-with-bases-loaded-can-the-batter-advance.html Anonymous asked: Can a batter advance on a droped 3rd strike with the bases loaded? Rick answered: Thank you for your question. A batter may advance Sun, 26 Feb 2012 21:46:39 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/baseball-resource.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/baseball-resource.html Links to baseball resource sites I have found interesting and informative. Thu, 23 Feb 2012 21:53:52 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/r1-missed-second.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/r1-missed-second.html Ron asked: With 1 out, R1 at 1st is stealing on the pitch when B2 hits a deep drive to left. R1 rounds 2nd completely stepping over the base and heads Mon, 20 Feb 2012 18:23:05 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/three-bag.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/three-bag.html Set-up: Place one throw down bag 15 feet up the line from 1st base. Place a second throw down bag 15 feet down the line from 1st base. Place 3 buckets Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:42:26 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/what-is-the-best-way-to-learn-how-to-pick-every-ball-thrown-to-you.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/what-is-the-best-way-to-learn-how-to-pick-every-ball-thrown-to-you.html Dallas asked: What is the best way tolearn how to pick every ball thrown to you? Like I want to be able to pick every single ball that's thrown to me. Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:11:18 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/baseball-tribute-roberto-clemente.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/baseball-tribute-roberto-clemente.html A baseball tribute to Roberto Clemente, the man! Tue, 14 Feb 2012 04:45:48 GMT http://www.theoleballgame.com/i-see-a-stat-on-the-mlb-site-called-ao-air-outs-are-sacrifice-flys-included-in-this-stat.html http://www.theoleballgame.com/i-see-a-stat-on-the-mlb-site-called-ao-air-outs-are-sacrifice-flys-included-in-this-stat.html Floyd asked: I'm doing a research project to better understand some stats. AOs are not an official stat in the MLB rulebook, so I'm curious why it is Sun, 12 Feb 2012 20:51:40 GMT