I am really starting to not like the bouncing back between SS and 2nd because they young guys are starting to get out of position. Do yall have any suggestion on a better way to hold a runner at 2nd base.
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Here's a few ...
1. Every runner does not have to be held close. Most don't take big leads anyway and most are no threat to steal. Have them single out the fast runners or those that take too big of a lead.
2. They should only jockey the runner when the pitcher is set and looking at them. Shouldn't be jockeying when the pitcher is looking at home.
3. Have only the opposite fielder hold the runner. 2B if a righty is batting; SS if lefty is batting. This can keep at least one of them in position.
4. Pitchers can be told not to pitch if one or more infielders are out of position. They can wait until they've started retreating back to their position.
Good luck!
BaseballByTheYard.com
1. Every runner does not have to be held close. Most don't take big leads anyway and most are no threat to steal. Have them single out the fast runners or those that take too big of a lead.
2. They should only jockey the runner when the pitcher is set and looking at them. Shouldn't be jockeying when the pitcher is looking at home.
3. Have only the opposite fielder hold the runner. 2B if a righty is batting; SS if lefty is batting. This can keep at least one of them in position.
4. Pitchers can be told not to pitch if one or more infielders are out of position. They can wait until they've started retreating back to their position.
Good luck!
BaseballByTheYard.com
Have the SS signal to the Pitcher how many looks should take. No bouncing around and the runner is held at 2B.
Guys:
Keep it simple. Start SS on runner or second baseman, if he is responsible for holding the runner, close to 2B.Shortstop/second baseman either releases the pitcher to pitch with a step back,a wave, or a step to the hole(4 or 6 hole.)If they feel that they can pick the runner as a result of his distance off the base or his momentum moving away from the base they break to the base with an open glove(SS) or an open hand(2B). If the infielder releases the pitcher to pitch & the pitcher does not like what he is seeing, he should either step off, bluff a pick(reverse pivot) or hold the ball & inside move. Another key would be to reduce the pitcher's head turn to a half turn instead of a full turn.( RHP looking to 3B) This way the pitcher only has a short distance to turn to pick up his target. This prevents the runner from gaining momentum on the head turn. Some pitchers have no problem starting their delivery on the head turn before they pick up their target. An additional strategy is to mix in your slide step with a potential base stealer on 2B.This is especially helpfull to LHP'S This also has can disrupt the hitter's timing.
There are times when you will not cover the steal at 3B because there are two outs & you want to focus on the hitter or you want maximum ground ball coverage. This must be communicated to everyone involved(P,SS,2B & 3B)
JW
Keep it simple. Start SS on runner or second baseman, if he is responsible for holding the runner, close to 2B.Shortstop/second baseman either releases the pitcher to pitch with a step back,a wave, or a step to the hole(4 or 6 hole.)If they feel that they can pick the runner as a result of his distance off the base or his momentum moving away from the base they break to the base with an open glove(SS) or an open hand(2B). If the infielder releases the pitcher to pitch & the pitcher does not like what he is seeing, he should either step off, bluff a pick(reverse pivot) or hold the ball & inside move. Another key would be to reduce the pitcher's head turn to a half turn instead of a full turn.( RHP looking to 3B) This way the pitcher only has a short distance to turn to pick up his target. This prevents the runner from gaining momentum on the head turn. Some pitchers have no problem starting their delivery on the head turn before they pick up their target. An additional strategy is to mix in your slide step with a potential base stealer on 2B.This is especially helpfull to LHP'S This also has can disrupt the hitter's timing.
There are times when you will not cover the steal at 3B because there are two outs & you want to focus on the hitter or you want maximum ground ball coverage. This must be communicated to everyone involved(P,SS,2B & 3B)
JW
I have had a couple of questions regarding the SS signaling looks. Here is what we do:
First of all, a "look" is defined as a full head turn to 2B AFTER the pitcher comes set. So, the pitcher looks at the SS immediately after receiving the ball from the catcher, toes the rubber, and gets his signs from the catcher. On foul balls, the P gets the ball and looksimmediately at the SS. Many times, the other team won't even see the SS's signals.
A simple signal system looks like this:
1 look = touch cheek
2 look = chest
3 looks = touch belt
No looks = swipe across chest
We go on first touch. So if the SS touches cheek, nose, swipes, wrist, chest in rapid succession. 1 look. The middle infielders should NEVER be out of position as the ball goes to the plate.
I also have SS call picks. Signs for picks can be:
Touch ear + cover logo on hat = timing to 2Bman
Touch ear + wrist = daylight with SS
Touch ear + thigh = inside timing move to SS
Timing is key to these picks. So, SS gives chest, face, swipe, ear and thigh. Inside pick to SS with 2 looks. We keep the SS in regular position through the first look. On second look, as soon as the SS sees the back of the pitcher's head, he breaks to the bag. Pitcher counts "on thousand one" and picks.
Very simple and the other team has no clue what you are doing.
First of all, a "look" is defined as a full head turn to 2B AFTER the pitcher comes set. So, the pitcher looks at the SS immediately after receiving the ball from the catcher, toes the rubber, and gets his signs from the catcher. On foul balls, the P gets the ball and looksimmediately at the SS. Many times, the other team won't even see the SS's signals.
A simple signal system looks like this:
1 look = touch cheek
2 look = chest
3 looks = touch belt
No looks = swipe across chest
We go on first touch. So if the SS touches cheek, nose, swipes, wrist, chest in rapid succession. 1 look. The middle infielders should NEVER be out of position as the ball goes to the plate.
I also have SS call picks. Signs for picks can be:
Touch ear + cover logo on hat = timing to 2Bman
Touch ear + wrist = daylight with SS
Touch ear + thigh = inside timing move to SS
Timing is key to these picks. So, SS gives chest, face, swipe, ear and thigh. Inside pick to SS with 2 looks. We keep the SS in regular position through the first look. On second look, as soon as the SS sees the back of the pitcher's head, he breaks to the bag. Pitcher counts "on thousand one" and picks.
Very simple and the other team has no clue what you are doing.
That is some good stuff redbird. Thank you for sharing that.
Several college teams run similar systems. I watched Florida use it last night.
Only 1 player needs to hold the runner. I would keep it as simple as possible. Making the runner stop his feet is the most important thing a pitcher can do. If he has too big a lead after, step off. As soon as his feet are stopped, throw the pitch.
Whoever is holding the runner: The pitcher needs to make sure he is not out of position prior to throwing the ball. So many times, I see a pitch being thrown with a position player standing at 2nd....
Whoever is holding the runner: The pitcher needs to make sure he is not out of position prior to throwing the ball. So many times, I see a pitch being thrown with a position player standing at 2nd....
Pickoff VS. an aggressive runner and third base coach.... If the third base coach is communicating whre the location of the 2nd baseman is, he will yell either "clear" or another word meaning that the second baseman is retreating to his position. Therefore, the 2nd baseman should bounce back and forth holding the runner on, slaps his glove 3 times (any indicator) and begin to retreat to his postion, as the 3rd base coach yells clear (usually about 4 steps into 2nd basemans retreat), the second baseman counts his 4 steps and immediately stops and darts back to second base for the pickoff throw from the pitcher. Hence, the runner will be caught advancing his lead (leaning), based on his coach's advise of being "clear", the second baseman has switched direction and is now covering the bag.===out every time.