Baserunning Question for you coaches...

I know the answer, just wanting a little forethought here. I would never tell my son to not listen to the coach but me and my buds in the stands wince everytime we here them do this. Philly, Oh and by the way the only reason I can't tag from 2nd is because I already stole (rolled) into seconds and yes I'm looking for the beer truck!!!

 

You must open before drinking

At the bar pregame

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAaQdthRYEw&NR=1

At the field
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SHbeUigd0g&feature=related yours

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASo1-C6fh2k&feature=related mine
Hunting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKo1dZEHIxE

 

Philly, Ok just timed it. I left 2nd at 5:30pm and just now arrived at third. (6:21pm). The guys left the field because they were tired of waiting on me, but I was safe and also advance home for the winning run because the catcher was not covering home. My wife drove the beer truck home!

 

There are many things to consider

A routine fly ball to rf where there is no chance to advance with a tag - get some just in case he drops it you can at least advance. How much you can get depends on how deep its hit , how good the rf arm is , how he catches it (going away from his throw or going towards his throw) and how fast your runner is.

There is no need to tag if the ball is not hit deep enough to advance on a tag. I dont care who the next batter is.

If the ball is shallow and your not sure its going to be caught there is no reason to tag. Your not going to advance via the tag. But if the ball does drop in you dont want to be standing on 2b - by the time you realize its going to drop in you dont have enough to advance. Get some in this situation and be able to get back if it is caught and have enough where you can possibly advance if its not.

If the ball is deep your going to score if it drops in anyway. You can basically walk to second if you tag and your going to score anyway. So tag and when you see it is not going to be caught run. If you see it is going to be caught be in a tag posistion and advance.

A routine fly or pop up to rf is not going to be deep enough to advance you so why tag? Be in a posisition to take the bag if it falls in. At the same time be able to get back if its caught.

 

I agree with Coach27,,,,, but when baserunning I was never taught to think about the next batter, except on the parts about not making outs at 3B, because you are in scoring position at 2B. A pretty decent coach who was in a couple state championships hounded in me many moons ago, that deep ball to right OR center, you on 2B, you tag. When RF catches it, you may have just picked up a base. If he drops it, you will still advance. In other words by tagging on deep balls to right or center, you advance whether he catches it or not.

Shallow hit balls simply calls for baseball IQ within the runner. Gotta be able to read it and know what the fielders can do. Not a good situation for players that don't pay attention to whats going on around them. And this not a good situation for players who dont pay attention and their coach is a proven winner,,,,,,,, he will be waiting on you at the dugout if you get hosed...

 

So much of baserunning

is understanding the game and having baseball smarts. You can coach baserunning until your blue in the face but alot of it comes down to kids having good baseball instincts. Alot of this is learned at the early ages playing the game. Baserunning is probaly the worse taught aspect of the game at the earlier ages. And it is the most neglected as well. We could probaly spend 2 hours a day on it and it wouldnt be enough. If you have to wait for the coaches to make decisions for you on the bases your playing behind the game. Players that can make good decisions on the bases on their own play at a level the other kids can not play at. There are times the coach needs to make some decisions. But if you have tell a kid to extend on a dirtball and take the base when he sees it in the dirt its too late. If you have to tell a kid to take 3rd on a hit and run behind him its probaly too late. etc etc. The most important tool a kid can have as a baserunner is baseball instincts.

 

I see what you are saying, but it still depends on the arm of the fielder and the speed of the runner. It also depends on what level you are playing. Obviously a ball hit to the warning track almost anyone can tag safely. And if you aren't thinking about who's up in your lineup, you might be pulling the bat out of your biggest hitters hands if you were to trip on your way to third. Might sound crazy, but I've seen it happen. Anything can happen at any time, therefore, depending on the game situation this can be done in a few different ways. I also agree with Coach 27, it's mostly instincts. But without prior knowledge of your opponent and knowing the game situation at that moment, an opportunity could be missed or blown.

It's definitely one of those situations where many people can have different opinions.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDm2xuN_MTA

 

I go back to the post that said do what your coach tells you to do.

 

I teach my kids to hang out around the base. Meaning if you see the outfielder camp underneath the ball you can get back to tag or draw a throw. If you see the outfielder not underneath the ball and he drops it, then you can advance to third if you are hanging out around the bag. It is all instincts how far to get off the bag. If you don't advance a least you are second still in scoring position and hoping a two out single. But always listen to your coach!!!