Base running question

DD is a first year 14. DD plays 2nd quite a bit. In a game recently, runner on second no one on first she fields a hard hit ball. The runner on second is fast and left the bag hard for third upon seeing a ground ball on the right side of the field. She is easily thrown out at 3rd.

I have always heard a good "rule of thumb" that a runner on 2nd with no one behind them should go without hesitation on a ground ball to the right side of the field and when a ground ball hit to the left side of the field she should push off only to diving distance back to the bag until she reads what the shortstop is going to do.

Is this "rule of thumb" only valid at younger ages? I'm really rethinking this after DD has done this to several runners.

Next question, and I'll add that I have seen this over and over and over at all ages and it drives me crazy. Same deal, only runner at 3rd. Nobody on 2nd. Some supposedly good coaches always, (regardless of outs), send the runner on ground balls to the left side. The ss almost always recognizes it immediately and the runner is thrown out at home. Am I missing something here? Is this ever a straight "go" with no hesitation by the runner? Why not push off to diving distance and read the throw before deciding what to do?

As a general rule if you are on second take your lead and a ground ball is hit behind you then you go, if it is in front of you then you wait, you might go when SS or 3B throws to first or you might not but you don't run into the out in front of you, unless it is a rocket or the 2B is playing in or you are slow the 2B is not usually throwing you out, especially since her coach has drilled into her head how important getting the easy out is

As a general rule if you are on 3B and a ground ball is hit you do whatever your coach told you. The coach has lots of different reasons to do any number of things. If I look at my coach and he is daydreaming, I go on anything with two outs, with less than two I hold on a ball to 1B, P or 3B and go on anything up the middle unless the middle infielders are pulled in front of the base path....and so on the variables are plenty the score, perceived strength of fielders, speed of runner, etc., etc. which is why I let my coach decide. My DD on the other hand is going full speed on anything and sliding hard.

I think I am going on both those plays.

I don’t know how often I need to run into an out but it would need to be a few. Ball hit to 2nd with an easy play at first or a tag at 3rd, I will take my chances on the tag play.

Same with going home but this might depend on the score a little bit if the SS is playing up. If you work with the runners to go on the down of the ball you will get more bases then from them hesitating and thinking too much.

I have no problem with aggressive base running, but sometimes it depends on the game situation.

The key in all circumstances is that if you are going to go you need to go hard.

I always run when ball is behind runner on 2nd. If someone gets me at 3rd early in the game I might revise, but I'll take that chance almost any time.

A runner on 3rd is very valuable so it depends on speed and who is up, number of outs,etc. Also how the game is going,etc.

Thanks all. Seems pretty straightforward, even considering the wrinkles.

Good thread.. Thanks for all of the feedback

AT 3B, If a player waits to be told what to do by a coach, they've waited to long.

Almost always,...NEVER, EVER go on a comebacker to the pitcher. Always go on an angle down to the right side unless the fielder is playing in. Balls hit to short and 3B, you should typically hold and watch for the throw to first and then decide. If you have runners at 2 and 3 with no outs, I like to be aggressive and put pressure on the defense and we are running hard on anything that's down. Worst case scenario is an out at home, runners on 1 and 3. Then Im showing bunt in front of the catchers throwing arm and stealing 2B. These plays typically result in runners back on 2 and 3 and any hit or throwing error thereafter results in 2 runs.

At our age level (10U) on that first play 2B is going to throw to 1B for the force out, 9 times out of 10 at least. And if they do throw to 3B, runner will be safe 9 times out of 10 because they just haven't mastered the quick low tag yet. Really same thing with the 2nd play. They're a lot more likely to go for the out at 1B than a tagged out at home. So at least where we are I'd go for the aggressive base running since it's likely to pay off. Once they get better at tagging out I guess all bets are off though.

PlayPerfect said:

AT 3B, If a player waits to be told what to do by a coach, they've waited to long.

Almost always,...NEVER, EVER go on a comebacker to the pitcher. Always go on an angle down to the right side unless the fielder is playing in. Balls hit to short and 3B, you should typically hold and watch for the throw to first and then decide. If you have runners at 2 and 3 with no outs, I like to be aggressive and put pressure on the defense and we are running hard on anything that's down. Worst case scenario is an out at home, runners on 1 and 3. Then Im showing bunt in front of the catchers throwing arm and stealing 2B. These plays typically result in runners back on 2 and 3 and any hit or throwing error thereafter results in 2 runs.

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Just so there was no misunderstanding my suggestion was to do what the coach "told you" BEFORE the play not what he "tells you" during the play definitely agree you have to know ahead of time, the only time you are really watching your coach during play is rounding second or third with a ball in the outfield since the play is behind you then you pick up your coaches signal.