"Coach Dunns Quick Pitches" — By Coach Jack Dunn

Think and Grow Rich!

Part II

Successful coaching demands that the coach recognize, and then take advantage of, as many situations as possible during the course of a game/season.

Do you recognize this situation and then exploit it or allow it to slip by?

By thinking, the coach and team Grow Rich in terms of runs and wins.

Runners on first and third bases, less than two outs

A routine fly ball is hit to left field. The fly ball is hit deep enough that the runner at third base will tag-up and attempt to score after the catch.

The fly ball is shallow enough that the outfielder will have a legitimate chance to throw the runner out at home plate.

The runner at first base tags-up at first base, breaks for second base when he realizes that the outfielder will make the catch and attempt to throw the runner from third base out at home plate.

This play forces the cut-off man to make a decision. If he

1. cuts the ball off to play on the runner advancing toward second base, a Run will score!
2. allows the throw to go through to home plate:
   1. If there are less than two outs and the base runner is out at home plate, the offense will still have a base runner in scoring position.
   2. If the runner is safe at home plate, the offense will have a base runner in scoring position.
   3. If there are two outs and the base runner is thrown out at home plate, the inning is over.

OBSERVATION:

By advancing the runner to second base, the offensive team will likely score a run on a hit to the outfield.

Remaining at first base will require two hits to score a run which has a low probability for success.

Runner at third base

The runner on third base tags-up and breaks for home plate after the outfielder catches the ball.

If the outfielder juggles the ball, the base runner may advance the moment initial contact with the ball is made, the outfielder does not have to catch the ball cleanly or have complete control of the ball before the runner may advance.

The base runner, while touching the base, may advance on the first touching of the ball by the fielder. First Contact! Otherwise, the fielder could juggle the ball all the way into the infield, thus freezing the runner.

Runner on first base

The runner on first base must be certain that the fly ball to left field is a routine fly ball that will be caught and is shallow enough that the outfielder will attempt to throw out the base runner, tagged-up at third base, at home plate.

Once the base runner determines what ball will be caught, and that the outfielder will throw to home plate, he must tag-up at first base and prepare to advance to second base on the throw.

When the outfielder releases his throw toward home plate, the base runner breaks hard for second base.

Read White

The base runner at first base must Read White before breaking toward second base.

To Read White means the base runners must see the ball leave the outfielder’s hand before advancing.

Reading White will protect the base runner against a fake throw or a change of mind by the outfielder and a subsequent throw to second base.

Read White is an excellent word picture to communicate, reinforce and remind the base runner to see the ball leave the defensive player’s hand before committing to the next base.

Outfielders throw to Home Plate

Once the outfielder’s throw is released toward home plate, the ball must travel all the way to the cut-off man, who is stationed approximately halfway between third base and home plate, and in line with the left fielder and home plate.

The ball must travel from left field to the cut-off man (250 ft. or farther) and then back to second base to throw out the base runner advancing from first base.

Throwing out the base runner is virtually impossible if the runner possesses average speed.

CONSIDERATIONS:

1. If the fly ball is too shallow, neither base runner should attempt to advance–this play would not exist. The base runner at first base must go as far as he can and still be able to get back safely if he is uncertain whether the ball will drop safely or not.
2. If the fly ball is hit deep
   1. The runner at third base tags-up to see if the ball will be caught.
   2. The runner at first base must go as far as he can and still be able to get back safely in the event the ball is caught.

ATTENTION/WARNING:

1. With two outs, if the cut-off man cuts the ball off and throws to second base, the run will score/count, provided the runner has crossed home plate before the third out is made.
2. It is highly unlikely that this will happen?that is, that the runner advancing to second base can be thrown out. However, the advancing base runner must be certain not to make the third out at second base before the runner crosses home plate.
3. The runner advancing to second base can guarantee that he will not be tagged out before the runner crosses home plate by doing the following:
   1. Go Hard! This will enable the runner to advance and prevent an easy put-out.
   2. Go Looking! See the cut-off man’s decision! Do not make the third out at second base before the runner scores.
   3. Get Hung Up! If the throw beat you or will be close at second base – Absolutely Critical – stay in the run-down long enough to allow the runner to score before the third out is made. Do not make the third out before the runner crosses home plate.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Coach’s Responsibilities

1. Practice this situation during ?Situation Hitting Drills? so that base runners understand their responsibilities.
2. Have a pre-arranged verbal sign to remind the base runner at first base that he must tag-up and advance on the routine fly ball.

Runner on Third Base

1. Tag-up on all fly balls to the outfield either fair or foul.
2. Attempt to score if so instructed by the third-base coach.
3. “Go Hard!”

Runner on First Base

1. Tag-up at first base on routine fly balls to the outfield either fair or foul.
2. “Read White!” before advancing to second base.
3. Go Hard!
   Go Looking!
   Get Hung Up!

CONCLUSION:

This situation offers the alert team an opportunity to not only score a run but to advance a runner into scoring position… Read the situation and take advantage of it! Good Luck!

For more from Coach Dunn click on Coaches Corner on the JUGS® website.