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13 replies

Courtesy runner for catcher?

InfieldMomInfieldMom10+ posts
My 8th grade son is a catcher for his jr. high team. He also happens to be the fastest player on the team. He is also an option quarterback/free safety and guard/forward who is often complimented on his ability to run. Last year his coach always sent in a courtesy runner. This year(new jr. high coach) lets him run and steal. In two days he caught 3 games(two of which were extra innings) and ran the bases. He loved it and really didn't begin to drag until the 4th game. Next year he goes to high school ball and the other coach. His running days are probably over.
My question is what do the other coaches here think? Do you let your catchers run or do you send in a courtesy runner? What if your catcher is your fastest runner and very capable of stealing bases?

"Every member of our baseball team at West Point became a general; this proves the value of team sports." --General Omar Bradley
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jemazjemaz1,000+ posts
I coach only travel teams, but I will tell you that I go against the grain. If I had a catcher like your son, he would run all the time. In my view, it would be better for the team and far better for him. The price of taking away from a kid the vital opportunity to run does not seem worth it simply to speed up the game.

I don't think many high school coaches would agree.
rz1rz15,000+ posts
Running for the catcher is considered taboo by the purist, but for a coach that is on the ball it can accomplish a couple things that can turn a game.

1. If you have a kid that can run it can be run producer.

2. Gets more kids in the game, which is the parent #1 gripe.

Many coaches complain about the rule, but in general it follows the same train of thought as the DH, except it is specific to a position. Many local rules also allow the pitcher to pull up a chair if he gets on base.

Personally I perfer a no running for anyone rule. But, I doubt complaining about the rule will change it. Any coach that does not use the rule to his advantage is not putting his best team on the field. If the catcher is the best runner available, he runs.
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voicovrvoicovr100+ posts
We always used a courtesy runner for the pitcher and catcher. The one exception was when the pitcher was also the star running back of the football team. We also had a boy on the high school team that that was the only thing he did was run. He was a track star and only did it to keep his legs fresh.
We've played teams that didn't use it and only used it for the catcher when there were two outs. The umps likes that because it cut down on time in between innings. The catcher could be in the dugout getting his gear on.
H Harbormom100+ posts
In high school ball I think it is optional to courtesy run for the catcher with 2 outs. Idea is to speed up the game and reduce time between innings when catcher is getting his gear on. However, my son's coach often lets him run because he is a good baserunner. He often uses a DH for the pitcher, but not always. If the pitcher is batting, he usually runs too.

Many tournaments require a courtesy runner for the catcher and sometimes the pitcher to speed up the game and keep to their time schedule when multiple games are being played the same day.
C CoachRobert100+ posts
The tourneys we play in (USSSA, Triple Crown, etc.) usually have a mandatory courtesy runner for the catcher with 2 outs. An eligible sub or the last batted out if there's no available sub. Optional with 1 out or 0 outs.

If the potential courtesy runner has better wheels I bring him in, otherwise I keep quiet and no one notices.

My son is a catcher and hates that rule.
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CM Coach May1,000+ posts
In NC you can put in a courtesy runner for the pitcher or catcher at anytime regardless of outs. You do not have to put a runner in with two outs if you do not want to. If our catcher is a smart baserunner and has good speed we let him run for himself. If we have a catcher with average speed we use the rule to our advantage and insert a faster runner for him right away. I dont see it as using the rule in a smart manner just to take him out if he can run. If it is extremely hot and fatigue is a potential factor then take him out depending on the game situation. Just the way we do it.
S Starzz500+ posts
Real baseball...catchers run, next level catchers run, next level after that catchers run...catchers run period. Courtesy runners can change the real game...WHY? They need to play it the way it was intended. MHO.

"If you can imagine it you can create it. If you can dream it, you can become it". William Arthur Ward

"Baseball is Life"

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