Top Of The 7th

you are the visiting team and 1 run down...runner on 1st...batter entered in the 6th for a starter...starter is a proven hitter; sacrafice man, home team starter is being lifted...what do you do?

 

I assume there are no outs. Why was the starter taken out in the 6th? Whats the scouting report on the pitcher coming in? Lets say that the starter is a better hitter (bunter) than the guy that replaced him. Now if the runner at first has speed and is a good baserunner and I feel confident that I can steal the base I might fake bunt steal or straight steal. If I have doubt that I can steal I sac if the two guys behind the hitter are good hitters. There are a ton of variables here. If the guy at the plate is a good hitter I might try to work the count and hit and run. Bottom line I try to leave the inning tied anyway I can and worry about holding them in the bottom of the inning later. If I don't tie the game it doesn't matter because they wont be hitting in the bottom of the 7th.

 

Can't...

afford to give AWAY an out! At this point at least. How much confidence or LACK of confidence do you have in the hitter ? Replace him with another PLAYER maybe??!? tELL HIM TO TAKE ONE FOR THE TEAM HEHEHEHEHEEHE....

 

no outs...no reports..home starter walked the runner on 1st...

lots of options here...have fun with this one

 

Hey playme you know what your going to do move the runner up you have to have aleast 1 run.

 

Depends how good that 7 hole hitter is really. I'd probably bunt.

 

Variables?????

There are a lot of variables....
Do you have speed on the bench; pinch runner for the man on first...
Possibly steal second, then bunt the runner to third. (If your current hitter can lay one down)

If not, then re-enter your starter(or a better bunter) to lay one down. Get the runner into scoring position; let's see more small ball.

If the pitcher & catcher are too good to attempt a steal, bunt him over with your best bunter ( either current batter, starter, or another sub that may be a better bunter.

You cannot win until you tie.

 

Getting a man thrown out trying to steal leaves you with no runners and 1 out. Can't do that. Bunt the guy to 2nd. You gotta get him there. A lot of good things can happen if you get the guy to 2nd. I'll take the percentages of having a runner on 2nd with 1 out anyday. Baseball is a game of percentages...

 

The "book" says never make the 1st or 3rd out at 3rd base, but sometimes you gotta throw the book out the window.

If you have good speed at 1st, then bunt and run looking to take 3rd on the bunt. I have done this many times and have caught many a 1st or covering 2nd baseman asleep and they either don't throw to 3rd, throw late, or 3rd base charged the bunt but forgot to cover third (ss wasn't covering, he was covering 2nd), but what happens most of the time is the 1st baseman hurries the throw to 3rd and the ball ends up in the dirt or up the line somewhere. You have just tied the game by scoring the runner from 1st, have 1 out and the defense is rattled, the new pitcher in tears, and your team and crowd is going crazy!! If he is safe at 3rd, then you have a runner at third with 1 out.
If you're thrown out at 3rd, then you have 2 outs and you pinch hit for the 7 slot and hope for a miracle. But by putting pressure on the defense, this play works more than you expect. I know this is pretty ballsy, but thats how we play the game and why I get paid the big bucks. :xyzthumbs

 

I like this play alot and you're right...it seems that most times if a play is made at 3rd, the ball ends up down the 3rd base fence.