"Coach Dunn's Quick Pitches" — By Coach Jack Dunn

Suicide Squeeze Play

Part III: Variations

I: Fake Suicide Squeeze Plays

By faking the Suicide Squeeze, two plays can be used to give the offensive teams an advantage: 1) draw a walk / get ahead in the count and 2) protect the offensive team against the double play.

A. Draw a Walk / Get Ahead in the Count

This play is designed to force the pitcher into throwing a ball by “faking” the Suicide Squeeze. This play is used when the count is 2–0 or 3–1.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Coach

Gives the sign for Fake Suicide Squeeze Play!

Runner on Third Base

Acknowledges the sign with reply.

1. Takes a Short Lead off third base – one step (three feet) maximum.
2. Breaks hard toward home plate, using a controlled break, when Pitcher’s Knee reaches the top of his balance position.
3. Faking a Break when the pitcher is at top of his balance point allows the pitcher time to adjust his throw to the batter.
4. The Break is a controlled break as follows:
   1. left, right, left, one half step right
   2. three full steps and one half-step
5. Taking a half step enables easy change of direction, back to third base, to avoid being picked off.
6. Runner must be aware that the pitcher may throw a wild pitch in his attempt to defend what he thinks is a Suicide Squeeze attempt… and be alert to score if a wild pitch does occur.

Batter:

1. Acknowledges the sign with a reply
2. Turns and assumes a bunting stance when the Pitcher’s Knee reaches the top of the balance position.
3. Batter takes the pitch–that is, does not offer at the ball while faking the bunt.

CONCLUSION

If run correctly, the pitcher can be duped into thinking the Suicide Squeeze Play is being executed.

Pitchers will disregard the count on the batter and throw an un-hittable ball, thus walking the batter or creating a 3-0 count.

Spin-Off

As opponents become aware of this tactic, they will inform their pitchers not to take the bait and throw the ball over the plate. This means that turning early when the Suicide Squeeze Play is actually being run could result in the batter getting a good ball to bunt, rather than a knock-down pitch. However, the runner at third base must not break early and must time his break to the pitcher’s stride foot when the Suicide Squeeze Play is actually being employed.

B: Fake Suicide Squeeze to Protect the Offensive Team against the Double Play

With runners on first and third bases, and one out and a double man (slow runner) at bat, the offensive team may choose to run the Fake Suicide Squeeze Play.

The objective is to have the runner on first base steal second base while the runner at third base and the batter fake the Suicide Squeeze. The intent is to preoccupy the defense with the possible Suicide Squeeze while the runner stealing second base is disregarded.

With runners on second and third bases, the ground-ball double play no longer exists unless the defense chooses to walk the next hitter.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Coach

Gives the fake Suicide Squeeze sign.

Runner at third base

1. Acknowledges that he has the sign by giving a reply.
2. Uses the “fake Suicide Squeeze”
   1. takes a short lead off third base–one step (3 feet) maximum.
   2. three full steps and one half-step (left, right, left, half-step right) to bring the body under control and return to third base. Runner must avoid being picked off.
3. Breaks when the pitcher’s knee is at the top of his balance position.
4. Breaking early enables the defense to react to a possible Suicide Squeeze.

Batter

1. Turns to fake a bunt when the pitcher’s knee is at top of his balance position.
2. To add realism, the batter can “bunt through” the pitch–intentionally missing the ball to lock the defense into the play.

Runner on First Base

1. Acknowledges the steal sign.
2. Steals second base.
3. Looks in–to be able to see play develop.

CONCLUSION

If all goes well, the double play will no longer exist and the defense will have to decide whether to play the infield in, which will increase the hitter’s chance for success, or play back and concede a run.

Part IV next month!

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