SS or 2B Running Scoop

I think you are referring to a technique my son calls rounding the ball. If so, my son really learned it as a freshman in college. Took hours and hours of groundballs before and after practice every day. It is not a replacement for getting in front of the ball but an approach to those balls you cannot get in front of or need to charge to make the play. Very difficult skill. Needs lots of groundballs with the skill taught by someone who has played a lot of middle infield at a very advanced level.

Very difficult to say, Chicks, without seeing the situation. The bigger problem may be more that the F4 needs to work on his techniques.

Infielddad, neither the running scoop nor rounding is really that difficult. It does take teaching the proper technique (not rocket science) and repetition (as with everything in baseball). Maybe it is easier for players who were taught this earlier, rather than trying to learn it for the first time in college.

"Show me a guy who can't pitch inside and I'll show you a loser." Sandy Koufax

CDTLB,

If they were well hit, I cannot understand why he didn't break down in front of them. Was he scared of them?

What you describe above does not sound like rounding the ball - it sounds like a "hurry play" (much like fielding a slow roller).

Tytpically, a coach will have the IFs field balls on the run if they are sitting back on the ball.

Rounding the ball is not a very difficult technique if they are taught this method. My 10 year olds have been doing it for a couple of years and now it is natural. However, I see HS IFs who were never taught to round the ball.

How about a little clarification for us "less knowledgable" folk.

Could someone describe what "rounding the ball" is, and in what situation would one use that technique. Is it something that principally a middle infielder would do, or would it be appropriate at 3B as well? Thx.

redbird
Definitely not scared, very aggressive 2b, hit balls were NOT rockets but were medium hard, 2b does tend to play deep and runners were very fast. The approach was as though they were slow rollers when they were faily well hit.
I don't know how easy this skill is but it would seem that is an additional fielding skill or technique.

Knowledge is Power! Thank you Mavens and HSBBWEB!

Chicks,
Even with a 2b playing deep they should be able to throw out fast runners on medium hard balls without having to scoop the ball. A second baseman won't be moving toward first when they charge a ball and they are better off charging and taking the ball in front of them. Scooping the ball increases the chance of an error somewhat. When you get a slow roller it is worth the added risk, especially at short or third where the momentum can be toward first and the throw can be a quick flip.

Montanadad,
Rounding the ball is simply getting in position so that you approach the ball more in line with first base. You don't have to scoop it. When one does have to scoop a ball there is usually very little time and it is best to have the fielders momentum going directly toward 1st base so that the throw can be a very quick flip. There usually isn't much on the throw but the release can be very quick. In order for the fielder to be going toward first as they field the ball they have to move around the ball to the get the proper angle.

Several factors go into how the ball should be played. There is no one way to field a baseball the factors are how the ball is hit, speed of the runners, game situation etc. A ball that is smoked does not allow time to round the ball because it is smoked. There is no need to round a ball that is smoked because you have time and if it is smoked to your left or right you are going to be busting butt just to get to it no time to round it and no reason to.

being a shortstop i know what you are talking about and if the ball was hit hard enough it is hard for a player to get around the ball..... and if it was hit hard enough and the runners were fast all he would of had to of done was get rid of it quick ??

montana,

Rounding the ball allows you to get your momentum moving towards 1B as you field the ball. This requires you to use proper footwork. All IFs should round the ball.

CDTLB,

The technique is not difficult but you need to be more precise with your glovework. I remember a SS from Arizona U. in the early 90's who used this technique because he could not read hops. He would charge everything and field it on the run.

quote:

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Originally posted by CADad:
Chicks,
Even with a 2b playing deep they should be able to throw out fast runners on medium hard balls without having to scoop the ball. A second baseman won't be moving toward first when they charge a ball and they are better off charging and taking the ball in front of them. Scooping the ball increases the chance of an error somewhat. When you get a slow roller it is worth the added risk, especially at short or third where the momentum can be toward first and the throw can be a quick flip.

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CaDad,
What you describe is exactly my thoughts on fielding a ground ball. In the situation that occurred the coach told him after the game to get in front of it and down instead of doing the running scoop. The 2B is very talented but has trouble with this running scoop.

Knowledge is Power! Thank you Mavens and HSBBWEB!

On our 13 yo team the SS and 3B are taught to get around the slow rollers to make the play at 1B.

It takes work but no reason HS players can't do this.

Not sure that a 2B would have many occasions to use this, much less two in one game.

do most of you teach rounding the ball or do you use the V cut method?? i like the v cut a little better myself.

mittman,

On backhands, I teach both depending on the read.