Q3rd Out at Home

What is your coaching philosophy on making the 3rd out at home plate? I've often heard that as a third base coach you don't want your 3rd out to be made at home plate.

AShort answer - it depends. For instance... Two out, away game, top half of last inning, tie or one run down - my priority is getting the runner home. (At home I'd be thinking the same only if one run down - i.e. play for a win on the road, a tie at home - why, because of the last half-inning advantage.)
Or... Earlier inning in a close game, I wouldn't be as concerned. But if the guy on 3 is one of my best runners I might try something - depending on the batter - does he have the speed to bunt safely? Or the power to hit a long ball? Makes all the difference. Great game, isn't it?
That said, it is a risk... you don't want the out, but you want to keep the game going. It's all about percentage baseball.
PS - I wonder if this answer is consistent with the Strategy Clinic suggestion?

QDelay Steal

How exactly does a delayed steal work? I have heard about it but do not know how to run or work it.

AUse it with runners at first and third. The runner at first delays his steal attempt to draw a throw, in an effort to give the runenr at third a chance to go home.

Timing is everything. The runner at first need to leave, in my mind, just before th ball crosses the plate - it is the only time, with the catcher's focus on the catch, that he is likely to react instinctively and immediately on the catch and throw through to second. To start the steal on the pitch, someone will remind him of the lead runner. After he's caught the pitch, he will hold it and check the runners.

Check our the 3rd Base Box in the Interactive Clinics section. (To see a couple of delay steal examples, set the menus and checkboxes to down by one, two out, runners 1 and 3.)

QDiving back

When diving back into first base on a pick-off move, I know you go for the back corner of the base. Which hand should you touch the base with?

ARight hand. But keep it in a fist or gripping a batting glove - you don't want open fingers. PS: If you take 2-1/3 strides off the bag as primary lead, you can get back with one cross-over step and no dive - we show this on WebBall under Baserunning:

QDropped Third Strike

If there is a a base runner on first base and the batter strikes out, and the catcher drops the ball...does the runner have to advance or is the batter out at the plate? Does the catcher throw to first with the runner not advancing or is the batter automatically out?

AWith less than two out, it doesn't matter what the runner does. The batter can only try for first on a dropped third strike if the base is open at the time of the pitch. (He doesn't 'have to advance' but he must be tagged out.) With two out, the batter can try, assumption: the runner has gone on the pitch. By the way - a wrinkle - if the ball bounces before the catcher receives it - even if he then holds on - it's considered not a catch - same as dropped ball.

QFirst base coach

Our playground 8 yr old all-star team is a week away from its last tourney and we're in the middle of a revolt by parents and coaches. As a result, three of us 'dads' have been asked by the playground to handle this last date for the kids. I have been asked to handle the 1st base coaching - any suggestions or pointers. Thank you in advance for your assistance!

AI have two responses...

1) What is so intense at the 8 year old level that parents can't just stay back and let trained coaches coach?

2) As for coaching advice - you can't learn everything in one week, so I hope you've been there as a spectator and some-time helper all season. The first base coach has two basic responsibilities - to make sure kids run straight through the base, or make the turn and hold depending on where the ball is hit. And secondly, to make sure that that any baserunner at first gets the signs from the 3rd base coach and knows what to do (run, hold, get back). Also you need to watch the pitcher like a hawk to spot the pick-off attempt early.

Add to that short list, being responsible for a trailing runner at second - if there is a lead runner on third. And of course being a cheerleader - congratulating each batter who gets to first, remind them of what they did right, and give them encouragement. If you are the away team and are closest to the bench (first base dugout_ - you can also serve as bench coach - getting batters to ondeck circle, etc. You might also at that age take care of details like shoes being tied, batting gloves, etc.

But remember to have some fun out there - and do come back to learn more and coach more next season - because baseball needs all the volunteers it can get!

QFly Ball Tag Up

What is a good rule to teach base runners at 2nd when a fly ball is hit in the OF? Ex: When to tag and when to stay off the bag?

AIf the ball is hit in front of you (i.e. to left), depending on how deep, go 1/3 (or more) off the bag. If the ball is hit behind you (i.e. to right or deep center, then tag up because the fielder is throwing from behind you (not from in front as he would be from left). Balls in the gap can be treated the same way, however a deep gapper to left-center also puts the throw to third behind you. While that might suggest tag up, if the fielders don't get to it, by staying off the bag you have a better chance to score easily. Sharp base runners will pay attention to where the outfielders position themselves when catcher gives the signs.

QGetting Back

I've been away from the game for a while, somehow I got talked into helping coach a 10 and under team. As a base coach, can you give me a general rule of thumb on when a base runner should tag up or not.

ARunner on first would tag only on deep foul fly balls to right field corner - otherwise he should go half way. Runner on second would likewise tag only on deep fly balls (fair or foul) to right and right-center. Otherwise part way towards third. Runner on third should tag on any fly ball, deep or not - if dropped he can still get home. It all has to do with the geometry of where the ball is coming from, what angle the fielder is on when he gets to it, how quickly he can reverse directions and throw and what the throwing time vs running time is. Now, at younger age groups the percentage of good clean catches... with the fielder lined up on his throwing target when he makes the catch (or even knowing which base to throw to)... is much lower. But you still have to expect a catch and therefore the possible need to tag up. For more on coverage plays with runners on base, check out http://www.webball.com/coverage.html.

QHitting the Bag

I've always been taught to run the bases using the inside or left foot. Since moving to Alabama most coaches teach using their right foot. What's your opinion or the right way base running is taught today.

AWell, this is one I try not to lose sleep over - I always prefer to see a player hit the bag with whatever foot allows him to stay in stride. But if you think it is possible for you to adjust your stride length, I would suggest that the right foot is better.
Why?
The left foot creates a pivot situation (and tighter turns are not always faster). And with the left foot on the corner you have to bring the right foot across the bag - the risk of a trip-up is greater.
Perhaps you can make the adjustment just by taking a slighter wider arc to the bag.
PS: Yes, before I get emailed on this...
1) I'm sure this isn't meant to imply that all Alabama coaches are wrong;
2) I am sure not every coach in Alabama thinks the same way;
3) Some of the best coaches I know are in Alabama - Nick Dixon for instance.

QInterference

When a straight steal is put on, is it a good idea for batter to move back a step towards catcher so that the catcher is further back and has to adjust, and should he crowd the plate?

ADepends on how badly you want to risk an interference or obstruction call - in which case the batter is automatically out, the ball is considered dead, and the runner has to go back to first.
Best to have the batter stay in same position - his primary responsibility if he is not expected to foul off the pitch is to not telegraph the steal.

QLead Off Against Lefties

What I would like to know is the best way to lead off first base (especially if you have been given the steal sign) when a left-handed pitcher is on the mound. I would also like to know every way a left-handed pitcher could be called for a balk.

ATo answer last first - any movement that is part of his natural pitching motion commits a pitcher to pitch to home. So a smart lefty will have many styles of throw home. To throw over he must step first - that's what umps have to look for - but all you as a player need to look for is his throwing shoulder. It will pull back towards third to throw to first - no pull back he would not be able to throw to first well so he's throwing home. By the way, even though lefties like to do a lot of head-turn misdirection to pull you off the bag, that should turn is still going to happen.

QLead-offs

How far is an average lead-off first base in major league baseball?

AAn "average" is a dangerous thing to think you know. Here's what we mean... Each lead-off depends on the runner's ability to read pitcher movement. It also depends on lefty or righty on mound, on game situation and how important getting to second base is, on the pitcher's delivery style to home, on the types of pick off moves, etc.
I usually tell players 2-1/3 lateral strides off (a little more than body length) is a safety lead. 2-1/2 more agressive primary lead, but it is also a metter of the runners ability to get from primary to farther out secondary lead at the right time.

QObstruction Calls

At a recent tournament I was told by the Home Plate umpire that in order for an obstruction call to take place the runner must come in contact with the fielder. Specifically the base runner at second had to run around the short stop who was standing in the base path (SS had no play on the ball it was hit to 2nd base) consequently the runner was tagged out at third. I appealed the call and was informed that since the fielder made no contact with the runner no obstruction occurred. I can not find anything in the rules that supports this decision. Am I missing something?

AThe ump is wrong, sort of. No contact has to absolutely happen - the definition states "impedes (or delays) the progress of any runner", but it is a judgment call. So he has to see it and call it.

As it happens, our own team was the victim of a similar wrong call in a recent game. Here's the situation. Runner on second. Shortstop playing deep - perhaps 25' behind the basepath. Batter hits a short flare, just barely over the pitcher's head, landing perhaps 10' behind the mound on the way towards second base. No fielder was close enough to get to it. However, the runner from second to third and the shortstop collided. Interference was called on the runner "because the fielder was attempting to make a play and the runner should have been watching out". The runner was in fact on the base path 20' from where the ball landed in the grass. What's more, the runner was watching the ball land - to make sure it would not be caught and he could proceed to third safely. In other words, his back was, of necessity, to the fielder, his eyes on the ball. It was the shortstop coming in who could see both the runner and the ball - a ball which he had no chance to catch in the air. He was certainly not in the act of receiving the ball. The call should have been obstruction and the runner awarded third. The fielder improperly impeded the runner. Not only was interference called rather than obstruction, but it was the runner going to third who was declared out. On interference - had that actually happened - had, say, the ball landed much much near to the basepath - then it should have been the batter-runner called out at first for the interference caused by the other runner. Wrong call made, compounded by wrong player called out.

Obviously situations like this can be protested, but that doesn't undo the damage. It's one thing when judgement calls (balls-strikes, safe-out) are not seen the same by all concerned, but it happens - we're all human. However, I think it's much worse when the rules of baseball are misunderstood or misinterpreted. It hurts the credibility of the game, and doesn't encourage greater participation by youngsters. (I'll get off my soap box now.)

QRICE for Knees

My son runs flat footed most of the time and I would like to know if there is any drills or things we can do to prevent this. I have seen him bunt and run like hell to first but most of the time it's flat footed he is 12 y/o 169 and 5'8" and has Osgood-Schlatter of the knees because he has grown so much.

AThe condition (Osgood-Schlatter) is typical in kids who have gone through growth spurts. (It affects the legs - usually sign soreness below the knee cap - actually ligament connections in the tibia from the patella.) The usual treatment is RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) which is to say what we usually suggest for all strains and pains. The rest may need to be for several days - no baseball! After that, quad-stretching exercises, hip extensions, hamstring stretching - basically take extra time in warm-ups. If the pain gets severe, you may need more invasive medical treatment but not usually, like the growth spurts that precede it, it comes and goes. There are by the way other reasons for flat footed running. I have seen guys who get better just by changing their style of cleats from stiff to hinged. Or else add cushioning (you know those "gelling" ads) might relieve some of the force on the area below the knee cap. Above all it is an overuse condition, and these days it may be showing up more because we push our kids to hard and play sports too competitively all-year. (That's a topic for another day.) By the way, WebBall now has a new feature available to members of our Team Player program - the ability to access new animations and videos showing how the body's internal workings are affected by injury.

QSecond the Trailing Runner?

With no outs, runners on first and second and behind by 3 runs do you send the runner on second home on a ground single up the middle? it is bottom of the last inning.

AYes, usually. With the hit behind the runner he should be most of the way to third by the time the ball clears the infield. But by the last inning you should know how good their center fielder is and that is the real determining factor. Coach should be far enough down the line to see both the runner and CF and be prepared to put the brakes on if the fielder comes up with the ball before the runner is 3 or 4 strides past third. (When we did the Strategy Clinic we knew that it could not cover all situations and that individual players were part of the equation.)

QSenior Sprinter

I'm a senior at University and am in the process of finishing my track and field career as a sprinter. I played a little high school baseball and would like to return to baseball. I am going to begin training and was wondering do you think my sprinter speed could help me make it in baseball. Also, how would you begin trying to make it into a team's farm system?

ASpeed is always an asset but unless you have a good on-base percentage, it's going to help you most in the outfield. So the glove work has to match the speed, and the arm (especially for center or right) has to be strong as well.

As for getting on base - it's a cliche, but at your level very true - nobody got to the Bigs by walking. (And unless you have pro potential, noone's going to look twice at you.)

You need to develop as a hitter. Spend time in the cage. But get your mechanics down before you challenge yourself with 95mph fastballs. And work on the breaking stuff. Being able to hit curves and sliders will get you singles and singles put you on the basepath were you want to be.

As for the next step, getting noticed, you're going to have to make the rounds of open tryout camps for amateur and pro-am teams - impress scouts - develop a network of coaching contacts and commit as much of your time as you can - remember, by your early twenties you're going up against guys who've already gotten contracts and the proverbial "cup of coffee". That said, do all you can, go for it, and have a great season.

QSigns from First?

Just read your page on signs & signing. What I've never seen addressed is the role of the 1B coach. In our youth leagues, the 3B coach does all the signing and direction once the runners are on base; the 1B coach mainly just helps the runner on first avoid a pickoff. Should the 1B coach be relaying info to the runner on first as well, and if so, how does he do it without tipping the defense?

AI don't like the first base coach repeating signs - the tendancy is to only repeat the important ones, which blows the 'cover'.

But the IB coach can serve several other small but important roles.

1. Before the runner gets to first, on whether to run through or take the turn.
2. To congratulate the runner on getting to first (what? you don't think kids need positive reinforcement - of course they do.)
3. To watch for overthrows and fielding errors.
4. To be the coach for trailing runners (at 1B and sometimes 2B) on pick-off plays.
5. To make sure 1B runner is watching the signs and remind him about the pitchers mechanics on picks and pitches.
6. To act as bench coach and hitting coach during away games when he's closer to the bench and the 3B coach (who is often also the head coach in youth ball) is focused on strategy.

With all that going on, who has time to give signs?

QSliding into First

Wondering the different philosophies of why some players slide into first on a close play and others run through the base. Can you explain some of the thinking behind each strategy?

ARunning through is faster. Period. Your momentum is not broken, your legs are always stretched ahead of your body. It just works. Timings show it.

As to why some players slide head first. You'd have to ask Roberto Alomar why he does it. And you have to ask a certain other player if he thinks he'll every do it again! (I'd guess it was a Cleveland thing except Alomar was famous for it in Toronto.) As has been proven, time and again, sliding head-first is dangerous - on hands, elbows, heads - and shoulders. also, in the event of an overthrow, it's far easier to do a pop-up slide and be ready to continue on than to push up from a prone position.

QSlow Runners

I have a somewhat slow high school team (average 60 yd. dash time is well over 8 seconds). What can I do to increase speed for running the bases,etc.?

AAccording to the Player Norms page, on a full size diamond, the two-base times (straight line) as of this reply are 7.6 (normal) 6.8 (star) so you're not too far off. Obviously, you will have to have some players below that mark to balance those who will just never be fast runners.

As with all good coaching, the key is observation, based on understanding the mechanics involved. What you need to do first is try to determine where the lost time is coming from player by player - start, finish, or middle. Is it based on bad push offs (no power or no fast-twitch muscle), too-high centre of gravity and poor leg lift (no pump), flat feet (not running on toes), oxygen uptake, energy conversion, etc.

The basics for quick jumps is covered on the Runner mechanics and How to Slide pages. The real base though is conditioning. Check out the off-season and pre-season information in Pow'r Alley as well.

[Numbers above at time this was answered, may have changed since.]

QTag & Go from 1st

How frequent, in the majors, do runners tag from first?

AI have seen this happen but rarely - usually only on a ball hit very deep but towards a fielder who probably is angling away from the infield at the time but who obviously is going to get to the ball - but at a bad angle to put the brakes on, turn and throw. Like everything it depends on the importance of getting the runner to second even on an out.

QTouching first

How do you teach your runners to round 1st base on an extra base hit? Do they hit first with their inside foot (left) or their outside foot (right)? Does it really matter if it's in stride?

AI go for stride - as long as he catches the inside corner of the bag - closest to the pitcher, then the corner is being taken properly. However, if the stride favors the right foot then there is less risk of dragging across or tripping on the bag.