Question?

How old are the kids? If they are 14U like the website shows I think you should defend as follows.

First, be sure to practice the defenses and give them a name or number so when runners are on 2nd and 3rd you can call the number before the play. That gives them all a heads up.

First thing I would do is run a pick off play at second base. If you can check this runners lead it will be difficult for him to score.

A squeeze is very difficult to stop if the bunt gets down. Very seldom do you get the 1st runner. Concede it (if the bunt is down), get the out at first, and have the first baseman immediately come off the bag and throw home. Don't look to see if he should throw home. Just throw home. Immediately. Depending on how you're defending the bunt, if the 3b is staying back he can get in the basepath of the 2b runner to cost him a step or two. Don't physically interfere, just be there and get out of the way at the last minute.

If all that doesn't work, have the fielder of the bunt give a good fake throw to first, turn and tag out the 2b runner. The only way this runner can be of concern to you is if he is rounding 3b full speed when the bunt is fielded. For him to be of concern he has to be stealing on the pitch. Therefore, he'll be at 3b as the fielder fields the ball. The fake throw will get him to keep going. You'll be able to tag him out about half way between home and 3b.

This fake throw has to be real. You have plenty of time. More time than you need. Not a little arm flip but a real throw with arm follow through. Sell it.

You're conceding first but you're getting the lead runner. Instead of 1 or 2 outs and a runner on third, you'll have 1 or 2 outs and a runner on first. There is a gamble in this play. You don't know for sure that the runner from 2b will go all the way. You suspect it, but will he this time. The key is for the coach to notice he's stealing and to give another preestablished signal during the play. Something that will get their attention and they'll know immediately what to do. They should be able to execute it with a late signal because they have more time than they need when getting the 2b runner.

Practice both plays. Give each a name or number. Call which one you want.

When do they show bunt? When do the runners leave? What counts did they pull this on?

If the guy at 2B leaves early, mix up the looks. I'll save other remarks until you give more info.

Out coach them and pitch out if you have them clocked. If the batter squares and you are not prepared or the jumps are very good give the hitter something very hard to handle high and tight. If your pitcher is right handed he will see the jump from third The option to pitch from a windup in this situation is not possible. If the bunt does gets down I would also decoy to first and make the play at home and pit our athleticism against theirs but good preparedness will level the playing field so the element of surprise will be removed when the runner rounds third. You should be down a run with an out the real battle will be can they advance to second after a tag at home that is will he have the hitter running right through first as he does through third with the man on second. Your catcher will be testd intelletually athletically and on just pure arm strength He is playing a high risk game and until you make him pay he will continue to do it.Two outs with nobody left on base[tag at home thrown out at second] and one run is not too desirable from his side if you can pull that off once you will not see this again.

The squeeze and double squeeze is undefendable if ran right. The reason why I say this is because the single squeeze if done right there is no way you can get the out at home. Then with the double squeeze you have to pick you posion do I stop the other run from scoring and now there is 1st and 3rd or do I get the out and give up two runs. I run it on teams all the time. Here are a few signs that will tip off the double squeeze. When you are playing this team you should know it is coming and even if not your players should know it is a possibilty with runners at 2nd and 3rd. You need to decide before it happens if you are willing to trade the 2 runs for an out or if you are going to try to get the guy trying to score the second run. If you want to try to stop the second run from scoring all your pitchers need and corner infielders need to be on the same page and there needs to be someone cover third. The first tip that the double squeeze is on, is when the pitcher is in the stretch when the pitchers looks to home the runners is extending his lead. Then when the pitcher looks at him he stops. The runner at second should be going first move and it appears like a steal. Your SS should see it and yell out squeeze. The SS is the key to prevent the actual squeeze by seeing it before it happens and should allow you pitcher to pitch out. The other is when the pitcher is in the wide up and the runner at second goes first move and agian your SS should see it and yell out squeeze. Now since it shouldn't be an automatic double squeeze it should be a read double squeeze who ever is fielding the squeeze should do a hard fake to 1st base if the squeeze is laid down. This will make the 2nd runner believe you are going to 1st and he will continue to run home. After the hard fake you should be able to get the out in the run down or throw down.

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Originally posted by svd16u:
The squeeze and double squeeze is undefendable if ran right.

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At what age level?

The squeeze.....maybe.

The double squeeze is very defensible when you get older. In fact, the only reason it works at high school or college level is the surprise factor.

If ran right it should be undefendable. I am talking about the runners not giving it away and allowing the pitcher to pitch out. Also getting a good jump. The batter getting the bunt down (not hard back to the pitcher) and not right infront of the plate. A single squeeze there is no way to get the out. A double squeeze if you try to stop it I personally think the second run is a bonus and I still scored one and if they want to try to stop the guy from third from scoring, I don't mind 1st and 3rd at all.

The age is 14U and the team executes it to perfection. The second time (not in the same game) they ran it, we still made the throw to first and my son saw the runner from second go, abandoned the out at first to throw home. The ball was there in time, but the catcher dropped the ball. The runner ran through first to second. My first thought was the fake throw to first, but wasn't sure if there might be a better way. I like the SS calling the play out, but communication is not our strong point - I will have the drill into his head and maybe he will call it out. Thanks for the advice.

The proper terminology of the fake throw to first is FULL ARM PUMP FAKE.....do that, then execute the rundown efficiently between third and home.