Thought Provoking Conversation

I have heard of coaches implementing the double squeeze at the high school and college level where the runner at second intentionally misses third base and takes a short cut to home plate. The idea that I have heard is that if the ball is bunted down the first base line, then a two man crew can't see the runner miss third.

What do you guys think of this play? I know how I feel, but I want to hear from you!!!

 

i could never teach a kid to cheat.

 

If you understand what baseball people mean when they talk about "respecting the game," and you believe that the game should be approached with respect, you'd never teach it as a coach and you'd never resort to it as a player.

 

Guys, whether you like it or not, it DOES happen.

Look at the logistics of a two-man crew. R1 at 2nd. BU is in the area behind the pitcher. Bunt is laid down the first-base line.

The PU is looking down the 1B line to see if the ball if fielded in fair territory, whether there is interference by the runner, to see if the ball is fielded cleanly, to see if the ruuner is in fair/foul territory in case he is struck by a thrown ball, etc, etc.

The BU has the angle for the call at 1st to see if the Batter beats the throw to the bag, the PU doesn't have a good angle to see that play accurately.

Both heads are turned towards 1st....... or are they?

The BU needs to position his body facing homeplate, watching both R1 and the Batter. He will see the bunt play develop in front of him in time to turn his head towards 1st and make that call, while still seeing if the runner is cutting the corner at 3rd. If the runner is planning on cutting the corner, that play will normally develop prior to the throw of the ball to 1st base, giving the ump time to recognize it and still assist with the call at 1st.

The PU still has to follow the course of the play at 1st base, in order to make any call on the bunt attempt in the case the BU is tied up with the infraction at 3rd.

Price the crew pays: It like your are suddenly umpiring alone from behind the plate. It's difficult, but the good umps can handle it. You always have to be prepared, just in case your partner gets some dust in his eye or falls down.

Price the hitting team pays: If you get caught, every ump in the region will know about it by the next day. And every ump in the region will discuss it as a crew before every game that you play. If you get a reputation in a program for un-ethical conduct, obstructions and interference that is usually borderline and ignored will start to suddenly go against you. It's a human thing and (the last time I checked), umps were human too.

 

I agree 100% with the above posts. Beyond the fact that it is bush league, it undermines the coach's credibility with his team. There is no way a coach can honestly demand or expect the respect of his players when he is teaching them disrespect for the game itself. It may get them a few cheap runs but I feel it will eventually cost more than it will gain.

 

How do you position yourself to stop what I think is an even more common bush league play?

Situation: Runner (R1) at 1st, bunt is laid down, with R1 breaking to 2nd on the pitch. R1 cuts the corner at 2nd to go first-to-third on the bunt, field and throw to first.

 

I will not use that play, to me it is unethical and "bush league also". I did hear about doing that from a respected D-1 college coach currently in NC several years ago at a coaches clinic. I do try to teach my players integrity and to respect the game. I have little respect for coaches that "win at all costs".

My second thought for comment on this topic:

How ethical is it to defend against this play by having your defensive player trip the runner and make him fall down when he is out of the base line?

Remember, I am opposed to degrading the game, but I thought I would bring up these to see what happens.

 

I have always taught my players to play the game with intensity and with a concept of fair play.

IMO - Cheating - like in any other endeavor in life - will most likely result in a very bad ending.

Plus - I would never want a W - knowing that I cheated to do it.
I rather lose a game - than win knowing that it was bogus.
Thats not what the game is about IMO.

 

Yeah, that is just bush league touch the bases.

 

This play happened in the Coastal Plains League three summers ago. I won't name the team that did it, but they did it on the road and it worked to perfection. The crowd went nuts, my manager got ejected, but neither umpire saw the play and therefore could not make the out call. The next day, there was a memo sent by the league to all umpires to watch out for it. Bush league I agree.