Baserunning Question for you coaches...

book is 1/2 way YET depending on RF er's arm the score and the inning etc... waaaaay too many variables to say one way or another are you desperate for a run to move a runner up etc.. who is in the hole hitting etc......

 

One Putt

I understand what you are saying about listen to the coach. Here is what I am trying to say. Teams that have to wait to listen to the coach in every baserunning situation are playing a step behind the game. Teams that have players that dont have to rely on the coach to make every decision on the bases that a smart baserunner should already know are playing at a level above the rest.

That split second of waiting on the coach to make a decision can be the difference in making it or not making it. There are situations where the baserunner must make his own decisions and he must understand the game in order to do this.

Here is just one example. Runner on first ball hit through the left side of the infield to the left fielder. Runner is going hard into 2b and making an agressive turn. He lets the ball stop him and sees the ball roll up the left fielders arm and out in front of him. If he waits to see if the coach is going to bring him to third that split second of indecision can get him thrown out. If he sees this and makes his decision to take the bag without ever slowing down to see what the coach is going to tell him to do he is in great shape.

A coach that does not allow their players the ability to make these kind of decisions are not helping their players and imo their team. There are situations where the coach is going to make the call. And there are situations where the player is the only one that can make the call. Players have to learn what situations will determine that they make the call.

If your son plays for a coach that determines when to run and not to run in every situation then by all means listen to your coach. We teach our guys to make the read themselves when the ball is in front of them. And we tell them to pick us up when the ball is behind them.

 

not to speak for anyone else...

but i think oneputt was simply saying, do what your coch tells you to do in regards to "baserunning rules"; i don't think he was meaning for a player to "listen" for every instruction while actually on the bases.

 

Here's a scenario that I see far to often. Players are taught to take secondary leads. A pitched ball is bounced into the dirt and bounces clearly away from the catcher. You look over at the runner and he looks like a deer caught in the headlights and retrieves to his original bag.

I'm thinking "why are you taking a secondary lead if you are not going to advance unless it hits the backstop and careens into the dugout"

That's almost, but not quite as irritating, as this. A hitter has a 2-0 count, no one on and watches a FB right down the heart of the plate (I'm sorry, are you looking for a better pitch?). It drives me craaaaaaazy! Sorry for getting off topic, but they are both occasions that are irritating

 

You and my husband must be related...that just kills him too!

 

Braves Coach 27 correct!

Bottom line is some will argue that baserunning is instinctive! We as coaches try to teach that "instinct" yet some who know watch and have learned the game will react "instinctively" while most will be like deer in headlights again! Can say the same for hitting probably as all other facets of the game ...separates the great ones from the so so ones! Over coach them with all you know I say! Then go let them play the way the game is supposed to be played AGGRESSIVELY-if you want to win and be succesfull! Good example usually your BEST baserunners are rarely your fastest ones, right?

 

absolutely right

 

My post

was in no way questioning what One Putt was saying. I totally agree that the players should listen to the coach. My point was they shouldnt have to wait to hear what he is going to say in certain situations.

As far as your points Braves I could not agree more. When you take your secondary lead you are tracking the ball to the plate while taking that lead. You should time it where your right foot is planting as the ball is entering the strike zone. Make the baseball stop you or make you go. In other words dont break back to the bag before you see the ball caught or hit. Plant and read. If the ball is caught bust back. If the ball is hit read it. If the ball is dropped or missed read. If you are reading the pitch and you see the catcher drop to block you should automatically extend on your secondary and read again. If you see that it is going to go into the dirt take the bag with no hesitation. What happens is kids start back before they read or they dont read at all. A smart baserunner is going to have the sign on the pitch anyway. He can already anticipate a cb in the dirt. When he sees that it is going to be in the dirt he should already be running to second base.

How many times have we all seen a baserunner break back to first base on a dirtball and then realize he could have advanced? Baserunning is a huge part of the game. Rarely are the fastest guys the best basrunners. Sometimes your slowest guys are your best baserunners. They understand they need every advantage they can get so they study the game and they learn how to take advantage of what they have learned. When you find a fast kid with great instincts on the bags you have a serious threat. Lou Brock was not a burner. But he was a tremendous baserunner with great instincts and held the all time stolen base record before Ricky Henderson broke it.

As far as the 2-0 count deal - What are you looking for on 2-0? If you get a grooved fb on 2-0 why are you taking that pitch? Rarely does a guy take a grooved fb on 2-0 for a strike and end up with a good ab. Alot of times they end up swinging at the next pitch regardless of what it is because they know they should have swung at the last pitch. Usually the ab ends up not being productive. When you earn a 2-0 count you need to make the pitcher pay for giving in. If you dont you will pay the price for not most of the time. I feel the same way about 3-1 counts. And with our power guys I feel the same way on 3-0. I dont need you to walk if your in the 3-4-5 hole. I need you to punish pitchers mistakes. I need you to hit a bomb and drive in runs. Walk if you dont get a pitch to hammer. Hammer the ball if you get the opportunity. Taking a 2-0 grooved fb drives me crazy. And it makes me think the kid really doesnt want to hit.

 

Also.....

completely unacceptable in my honest opinion to take a called third strike!!!!!!!! Run with that one BB guru's!

 

A walk is one base, A hit could be four bases

The only thing worse is when the coaches don't let the kids swing. I have seen to many coaches take the walk approach. Sorry but telling the truth!!