Runners at 1st and 3rd

Ok coaches, What are some of your ways to try and stop runners at 1st and 3rd. I see a lot of just letting the runner at 1st automatically go to 2nd without any play of any kind. I see so many times the runner at 1st just given the base at second. The play I used when coaching relied on the 2nd baseman but it worked 90% of the time. The 2nd baseman always broke infront of 2nd base. The Shortstop always covered 2nd base. The catcher always threw the ball toward 2nd base. The 2nd basemen would read the runner at 3rd to see if they were breaking. If they did she cut the throw and came home. If the runner did not break she let the throw go through to get the girl coming from 1st. We either ended up with the runner out at 3rd, runner out from 1st or both runner still at 1st and 3rd.
What are some other ways coaches??

 

Another thread on this

Check out this thread. It has some of the things other coaches do in 1st and 3rd situations.

http://www.thisboardrocks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=145895

 

We run "48" as well. It's somewhat effective if you catch the runner at 3rd asleep. Giving up that base is always a thorn in my side but you also have to know what situation you are in the game.

I like the idea of overthrowing 3rd on purpose so that left fielder is there to make the throw at home. You have to have great athletes and committment to make that happen however.

Never liked the throw to short because the catchers shoulder tips where she is throwing which is an easy call for the third base coach to keep the runner from being thrown out.

That being said, I have a committment line drawn for my girls to reach after every pitch. That way they get the ultimate jump, try and get the corner eye of the catcher and have momentum in scoring if the scenario presents itself. If it doesn't, no harm, we get back well.

 

I'd start with.......

......getting them out at bat!. LOL........Hey FPSOFTBALL, being a knucklehead is what I'm good at, your post is one that definitely fits different age groups. At the highest level, kids will smoke a throw to 2nd and back home so fast your eyes will spin. IMO, I'd concentrate on the kid a 3rd if the score was tied or close, and forget about the runner at 1st. If I was way ahead and the opposing coach was stupid enough to run, I'd get the out. No plays are necessary. As a coach, you decide whats in your best interest given the "cards " you're dealt. I love trick plays, but fundamentals will win out 99% of the time.

 

Mine was not a trick play. I learned it from a clinic I took my team to at a major D1 school who is ranked in the top 25 this year. I was also talking about high school level or 18U and not 12U. So instead of trying get an out or keep the runners where they are you would rather let the player on 1st base go to 2nd automatically then let the batter get a base hit and score 2. Free bases score almost always.