Opinion

Was watching high school game last night and noticed that the short stop was kicking dirt onto the runner that was at second base. I was dumbfounded by his actions, but am i out of line, or is this a normal practice to decoy the runner?

 

Kciking dirt.

I dont know. I see it also. Its a bit "bush" if you ask me. But there are a lot of little things that are in the game today that have gone from being "bush" to being part of the background. I wouldnt advocate my players doing it.

my 14 cents.

 

1. inform the umpire
2. throw a handful of dirt in the SS face
3. get ready to rumble

Or better, next time a teammate or the runner in this case has a chance on the bases take him out hard and then tell him why. Tattle-telling to the ump or opposing coach won't get it done.

Probably not that smart, but most bush tactics have to be dealt with by some other action.

1. Look back at the catcher to steal signs or check location = pitch in the ear hole
2. Stealing with 10+ run lead = hit the batter in the back
3. Etc.

 

I've seen a couple of SS do this at a younger age in AAU ball, but never at this level. The two coaches should have a talk to end this and if that doesn't help, then a hard slide back. Players are usually taught these tactics and have no room in the great game of baseball.

 

Many kids do it to let the runner think they are coming back to cover the bag. Now if they are intentionally kicking dirt on a guy, that's a different matter.

WE had a game last week where a SS was taunting our players and calling them out by name. Needless to say when he tried to turn a Double Play our guy came in hard to break it up with spikes up. May not be cool but it happens.

 

other juvenile tactics

I really thought most of this would be gone long before high school. We recently played a game where the players screamed and yelled when our pitcher was in the wind up. Just odd to have 17-18 year olds behave this way. Of course, their family members yelled things like "sit down boy" after one of our players struck out and other things. You won't find a more supportive parent than me but I only yell to/at/for our players - never against the other team or its specific players.

 

I understand the ss is trying to make the runner think he is breaking to the bag but, wouldn't tapping the glove or shuffling the feet work as well as kicking dirt on the opposition.

 

And I've seen this also. What's funny in all this is anytime the SS or 2nd baseman taps his gloe or kicks dirt it tells me he is not covering the bag.

 

waste of energy and effort to a well coached and schooled baseball runner!

 

I've seen SS's throw dirt at the runner, I've also seen the runner pick up a hand full and throw it right back, which on at least 2 times I can think of seeing this, both occasions resulting in a lot of jawing, and on one case play stoppage by the umpire.

Personally I wouldn't do it, but I do understand what the SS is trying to achieve,,, SS's just need to understand that if they do throw dirt, THERE ARE players out there who will throw something right back at them.

Its bush league, plain and simple. Good baseball players should be better than throwing dirt.