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Reply to "Coaching Third Base"

1. Stealing signs - when you notice a team working hard to pick up your signs (and, for example, pitching out on just the exact pitches you're stealing) do you prefer to change signs between innings, change indicators, add/change a wipe off sign, or what? What's your preferred method?

We have a wipe off, two different indicators, and a repeat. OK it sounds complicated but it is very simple and I have never been picked. (Knock on wood) I will not throw it out into the open but if you PM me I will give you the system.

2. Multiple runners - if you have runners at 1st and 2nd and a ball is hit to the outfield, how do you handle giving signs to both runners? Say you want to send R2 home and hold R1 at 2nd base?....do you use right arm/left arm or verbal for one and sign for the other?

I use verbals and signals. We preach that when the runner is past me that they are gone. If I am going to wave them I get deep (towards home plate) and then work my way up the line towards the bag. Once they are past me I throw up the stop sign and yell for them to get back on the bag or if I want them to go I wave them.

3. Sending/holding runners - do you have a general rule of thumb on sending R2 home on a single (obviously weighing the arms of the outfielders and situation in the game)? For example, do you use the timing of the fielder getting the ball and R2 touching third base as a general guide?

I was taught this at a young coaching age by a minor league coach for the Giants. First, know you players. Second, teach the players to always round hard. Third, when the ball is hit get deep (towards the plate) as fast as you can so that you can see the fielder field the ball as the runner is touching the bag. If they are rounding the bag as the the fielder is loading send them if they have already loaded hold them. This has been highly successful for our program.
Last edited by socalhscoach
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