@Francis7 posted:Remember when I said the coach would always PR for my kid in MS? He’s an example of how it was for spite and also an example of MS ball play. When he went for the PR, it wasn’t always a trade up for speed. He would use anyone for a PR (as long as it meant sitting my kid down). One time, he PR with a slow kid. How slow? Well, the kid eventually made it to 3rd and created a 1st and 3rd BR situation with no outs. Next batter hits a grounder to short. The defense elects to go for two and eat the run. SS flips to second, and then the 2B throws to 1B for the DP. The PR on 3rd broke as soon as the SS threw to 2B. However, the 1B, after completing the DP, then wheeled and threw to home. And, the PR on 3rd was out at home (for the 3rd out) by at least 3 feet. Triple play, inning over. And, yes, he was “running” the whole time. And, it wasn’t like it was a big league quality turning of a DP. It was very slow unfolding. At least 10 seconds. Maybe more? And, the PR on 3rd couldn’t make it home in less than 10 seconds.
My son’s middle school coach always pinch ran for the catchers as soon as they got on base. It wasn’t required until two outs. It got someone else in the game. The catchers were always ready to catch after the third out. Strategically it wasn’t always the best move.
The team went 12-2 both years. Their only losses were close games to the team that went 14-0 both years. They had a future D1 pitcher and catcher who alternated on the mound. They overwhelmed most of the lineup.
One of the catchers eventually became a 6’3” 200 major conference player with decent speed. No one saw it coming even after freshman year of high school. The kid didn’t make varsity until junior year. The other catcher gravitated to hockey goalie in high school.