Squeeze Play

That's true they should. Unfortunately, for the offensive team they usually don't. I'll bet you 99% of the time (in amateur) the batter squares around during the delivery

 

Dang!!! Me, too. Are you sure were not brothers?

 

Then your pitchers are slow delivering the ball to the plate. If a runner is at the bag before the ball gets to the plate then you have to get your pitchers on the side and teach them a slide step.

 

o k a y

yall gotta keep up it's not my pitchers

 

Squeeze

There are two different types of squeeze plays. A safety squeeze and a suicide squeeze.

Your ability to defend a suicide squeeze will have alot to do with how well the your opponent runs the squeeze play. If they execute it properly your not going to defend it. But the fact is most times it is successful it is not executed properly is works because the other team does not know how to defend it even when not executed properly.

On a suicide squeeze the runner is coming , period. He is not waiting to see if the hitter gets it down , pops it up etc etc. This is a do or die play hence the wording suicide squeeze. The runner should take his normal lead and break only when the pitcher has committed to throw the pitch. In other words as he is bringing his arm forward to throw the pitch the runner breaks to the plate. If you break too soon the pitcher will simply come up and in hard to a righty or pitch out to a lefty. If the batter gets it down the runner will score. If he pops it up its a dbl play. If he misses the baseball your out. The only to way to be good at this is to work on it in practice to learn how to get your timing down. Most suicide squeeze plays fail because runners leave too early. The rest fail because the batter is not committed to do whatever he has to do to put the bat on the ball regardless of where it is pitched. It takes practice.

Ways to defend the suicide squeeze.
You will not defend it if it is executed properly. The runner leaves with proper timing. The batter gets it down.

Experienced players understand when a squeeze could possibly be in order just like they understand how to defend a bunt 2 situation and when they are more likely. Communication between the battery is essential. If the runner leaves early do not risk contact or a wild pitch (if your in the stretch) Pitch out even to a rhb. Slid step and deliver the ball quickly giving the catcher time to apply the tag. (If your in the full windup bust him up and in hard ) this is baseball after all. If the runner leaves late there is time to get an out at the dish if the ball is bunted out in front or hard back to the pitcher. If its up a line forget it.

One thing to remember is there will always be two signs when a batter is given the squeeze sign. One to the batter and other the batter to the coach. The batter has to let the coach know he got it before the coach is going to send a kid running all out for the plate with a guy hitting at the dish. As a coach if your paying attention you will pick up on this alot of times. The hitter will adjust the bill in a more than obvious manner. Rub his thigh etc etc. Something will tip you off if you pay attention close enough. A good catcher will pick up on these tips as well. Not all the time but it happens.

You can defend the squeeze play if you work on defending the squeeze play. But not if it is executed properly. The problem is it is seldom executed properly. In these cases you can defend it with coaching , practice and execution.

The 3B should follow the runner down the line when he breaks. SS should replace at 3B. 2B should break to 1B and 1B should break hard to the dish and replace himself back to first as soon as he sees he has no play in case 2B does not get over in time. This puts three guys all over the dish and anything that hangs up can be caught for the dbl play or a play at the dish if the runner leaves late.


It may sound cruel but here is the deal. When a hitter is put to the task of getting down a squeeze bunt he should be very committed to getting the job done. He knows if he does not make contact the runner is out. When you bring that nasty cheese up and in at the grill he has to make a split decision , "just how committed am I?" If you put any doubt in his mind just for a split second you got a good shot now. If you dont then the guy is a ball player and your probaly in trouble. But he still has to make contact.

 

Not pc these days but the right strategy for R vs R is as old as the game itself...throw at his head. No reason to be quick to the plate, being deliberate may actually give the pitcher more time to read the play. When I was on the mound, I very rarely hit anyone...but I came close alot !

 

suicide.......

done correctly it can't be defended.

Baserunner break is key, as other's have said, too soon and the pitcher can relocate location. (up and in). Remember, it isn't a straight steal of home, so you don't have to try and beat the ball there. You are relying on the batter getting it down and giving you that second or two to get there.

I always told my runners as soon as the pitchers plant foot is down, he has commited to location and break. At this point it is pretty much physically impossible to change with any degree of accuracy.

My own opinion and works for me.

 

I don't believe they should use the term 'Suicide' in a children's game. Gives them ideas.

 

You'll find that a bit challenging. We are always behind.

But you posted an interesting thread

 

No...the parents