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With less than 2 outs, a runner on 3rd and a ball hit to 3rd - does the runner go home?
by Ken
Photo Bill Stanton: Checkswing.com
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? Score at the moment is also extremely important. Whether that runner on third represents the winning or tying run is a big factor. If he is thrown out at the plate, you now have two outs and a runner on first, which is a much tougher position to score from. If you need more than one run to tie or go ahead, better to hold and move to the next hitter. There are 25 more ways a runner can score from third base, than he can from second with the same situation. Even more than 25, if your runner is at first. 6. The hitter that will be coming to the plate next: You surely don't want to run into an out in this situation, if you have a good hitter standing in the on deck circle. Better to hold and take your chances with two outs. There is a lot going on in this situation for a runner to read and make a split second decision. No time for the third base coach to make that decision for the runner. All the options need to be sorted out before the pitch is made and left to the players reactions and instincts. For all that to take place, many situational opportunities in practice, where players are able to make decisions, right or wrong, and learn from the experience, help to create those free flowing, think on the run players that are so much fun to watch. The link above is for a team defensive drill; but the base running is built in and players are able to get work on base running situations as well. Nothing like controlled repetitions at full speed to help players develop those instincts needed to separate them from the competition. With this drill you can isolate all the scenarios you may want to work on in that session, stop and talk about it and not have to worry about balls and strikes. Good luck with your season! Yours in baseball, Rick |
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