Pitchers covering first base

Not that I know of. I was taught the "banana" or "question mark". The angle with which the pitcher runs should be a bit modified based on their athletic ability (some are able to run faster and cut sharper than others).

Running directly at the bag I would think also creates a much more difficult play for the first baseman because there's much less of a window to release the ball...timing would be more of a factor.

That's pretty much how I teach it as well JH. Have you noticed what I'm talking about with the straight at the bag?

Reason I ask is I was at the Navy / Air Force game yesterday and during Air Force's pregame they did a "get over" segment with pitchers and first. The IF was going to first and when they got to the 1B two pitchers ran out onto the mound area and as soon as the ball was hit they went to 1B. When the first guy did it I thought he just made a mistake but the next guy did it as well. They did another one on like a one and cover and each time the pitchers went straight to the bag.

I also remember seeing some MLB guys do it last season and since it was so infrequent I chalked it up to mistakes. But seeing it yesterday made me think it might be a new thing being taught.

Maybe I'm just crazy - been known to be said of me before.

Interesting...no I haven't experienced that. Usually if we don't push off the inside of the bag and turn towards the infield we get screamed at...something along the lines of, "You ****** idiot! You're gonna get killed if you come across the bag like that." I would think the easiest way to accomplish this, as I said, is to angle yourself appropriately (like you and my coaches have taught). I'll ask around though to some of my friend if you'd like, just to see if there's a difference in the way it's taught.

BTW how was that game? My (future) team is playing at Navy tomorrow afternoon.

They don't cross the line into foul territory where the train wreck happens. They go straight to the bag, hit the bag and change the angle back towards the infield. Not sure if I made that clear based on what your coaches tell you (although I have said what your coaches have said too LOL).

Yeah if you don't mind asking around I would appreciate it.

It was a very good game with solid everything by both sides. The Navy catcher struggled with throwing period. He air mailed the pitcher twice and bounced it back to him several times. But that dude could hit. The day before he hit two bombs and that day we saw the game he had the hit that drove the go ahead runs in the top of the ninth.

So you're playing for Georgetown during the 2013 season? What are you doing this semester?

Right, but my assumption is the "train wreck" that you speak of is more likely to occur if the pitcher is running straight to the bag. It's much more difficult to completely stop on a dime and change direction like that than it is to gradually slope the path to the bag and turn that way (insert unathletic pitcher jokes here).

Essentially, I'll be redshirting this spring because of the TJ surgery and gaining back one more year of eligibility. Because I'm going to study something that isn't offered here at Oneonta I am eligible to transfer and not sit out the typical obligatory year as per NCAA rules. So yes, I'll be pitching next year for the Hoyas. This semester I'm helping out as a volunteer coach, handling a lot of the duties with the pitching staff. I've been putting myself through two-a-days in the gym (not particularly fun) and continuing with the rehab stuff so that keeps me busy. My class schedule isn't too difficult being that I only need four credits to graduate (but have to take 12 for financial aid purposes), so I'm getting by fine in the classroom while doing the weight room stuff. Other than that, it's just enjoying the last few months of my undergraduate life! I'm enrolling at Georgetown for the summer term, so I'll be moving down there in May.

Guys:
Things have changed on how to execute this technique in the last 5 or 6 years because of the speed of the game.Pitchers run a more direct route to the base. Most run to the cut & turn up the line in fair territory at the cut. They hit the base with their right foot & push off into fair territory. We like to put a stop watch on this route with the goal to get to the base in 3.5 seconds or faster.Get the ball early from the 1st baseman or second baseman(ball in the 4 hole that the 1st baseman goes for but is unable to field) so that you are not trying to catch the ball while you are trying to find the base.Do not go by the base without the ball. Stop & become a 1st baseman with your throwing arm foot on the base.Stay soft(do not stretch early) & anticipate a bad throw.

JW

Jerry- Makes sense to me!

Jerry thank you very much for posting that. It's good to know I'm not THAT crazy. Most of what you said is what I teach except I get my pitchers in the line sooner than the cut out. After reading that I'm going to think about changing over to that cause it does seem to be a better way to do it. Just have to get over that intital "hey that's not right" to see the benefits from it.

Are you still at Oneonta taking classes and coaching? I think it's awesome how well things have turned out for you in spite of the surgery. You deserve a lot of credit for making something great happen out of something that could have been really bad. I'm wishing you a ton of luck at Georgetown.

I am at Oneonta, finishing up some classes and graduating in May. My schedule is SUPER easy this semester, I only need four credits to graduate but I'm filling it into full-time status for financial aid purposes. So my schedule consists of Strategic Management (the capstone course for the Business Economics major), Yoga, Weight Training, Beginner's Basketball and History of Rock Music. Not exactly too strenuous.

I'm helping out with the team predominantly with the pitching staff and with some coaching decision-making circumstances. It's amazing how much more you learn once you're on the other side...and how weird it is evaluating my friends.

I'll be finishing up here in May and then driving straight to DC and moving into an apartment to start classes at Georgetown for the summer. While there I'll have an internship and work out with the strength and conditioning staff at the school. If everything goes as planned and the arm comes back to full health, I'll be pitching for the Hoyas in the spring of '13 and then graduating with a Masters degree that May.

Thanks for the well-wishes. It's been a long process and I'm glad that it's finally over and can get going with the next step of my life.