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Situational Defense

SA S. Abrams100+ posts
Don't know if many of you see this in HS/college, but with a runner at 2nd and a grounder hit to the indield, I see infielders not trying to knock the ball down and keep it in the infield. They go after the ball but they don't dive,etc. in an effort to knock the ball down so the ball gets into the outfield and the runner scores. Even the coaches seem to think its ok. I'm talking about balls that an infielder could get to by diving; not balls that a dive would be merely for show and are really clean base hits.

I remember being taught in LL to do anything and everything possible to keep a ball in the infield with a runner at 2nd; I've taught the same thing forever to every player I've coached. We were taught to always try and give the pitcher another chance instead of just giving up a run.

Is this taught anymore or simply left to the player themselves? Am I just ancient in my philosophy and don't understand "todays game"?
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CM Coach May1,000+ posts
I see it alot as well and it really irks me. There are two reasons a player does not do it.

#1 they do not understand the importance of keeping the ball in the infield and stopping the run from scoring even though they can not make on out on the play. They do not understand if they stop the baseball they have actually made a play and they are keeping the dbl play in order as well.

#2 they do understand everything above but they are lazy and do not play the game the way its supposed to be played.

#1 they are not at fault because someone should teach them
#2 they need to sit until they are no longer lazy

And sometimes if a player has no chance of actually reaching the baseball they should still dive and make an attempt. Why? Because the 3rd base coach may not have as good view of the play he could be blocked by an umpire , another fielder etc and he might just hesitate to see if the ball is knocked down before he sends the runner. That just might be enough hesitation to allow him to have to hold him up or allow you to throw him out.
Rob KremerRob Kremer1,000+ posts
quote:
And sometimes if a player has no chance of actually reaching the baseball they should still dive and make an attempt. Why? Because the 3rd base coach may not have as good view of the play he could be blocked by an umpire , another fielder etc and he might just hesitate to see if the ball is knocked down before he sends the runner. That just might be enough hesitation to allow him to have to hold him up or allow you to throw him out.

This is a point that so few coaches I know teach and understand that it is sad.
trojan-skippertrojan-skipper1,000+ posts
Our code words for this is "on your bellies"... Coach May makes a good point about the 3rd base coach; a simple glove up for a second on a ball over the infield or in front of the OF can freeze the base coach for just a second; and that second can be enough to keep a man at third (and everyone in the crowd saying, "why did the idiot coach hold up the runner")
Last edited by trojan-skipper

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