Running Down To 1st

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Aug 26, 2015
590
16
At what age do you teach that the catcher runs down to 1st, trailing the BR? I recently saw a 9U game where the C literally beat a few down the line. I thought it was a bit odd because there was a "no overthrow" rule so it seemed pointless to waste her legs like that.
 
Jan 22, 2011
1,610
113
Would be interested to hear what people think. I teach my catchers to drift up the line 1/3rd to 1/2 way to be in position to back up a throw if an over-throw takes a crazy bounce if there isn't a runner starting at 2nd or 3rd. Especially to be in position to prevent it possibly get into the dugout.

I teach them to drift up the 3rd base line a little bit for a throw back to the pitcher from the right side of the infield and little bit up the 1st base line for a throw back to the pitcher from the left side of the infield.
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
I jump back and forth with baseball and softball. I know I am wrong but in SB the catcher is not going anywhere. I like the drift term, C drifts to help if needed.
 
Dec 5, 2012
4,143
63
Mid West
I always teach a step above their age. I'm not a believer in teaching what works now... I want them learning the highest levels of mechanics asap...to only further cement the fundamental as they grow. Absolutely yes, I want the C running up the line, but not to the bag. She should be running up and getting lined up with the throw coming in. However, if it's a hit through the infield to anywhere other than RF, the C will stay home.
 

marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida
At what age do you teach that the catcher runs down to 1st, trailing the BR? I recently saw a 9U game where the C literally beat a few down the line. I thought it was a bit odd because there was a "no overthrow" rule so it seemed pointless to waste her legs like that.

We average 6-8 games over a two day tournament in sometimes over 100 degree weather. Our catcher isn't running to cover overthrows at first.

However our RF is.

Unlike baseball, the RF fence is at 200', the RF is normally no deeper than 170' and that means our RF doesn't have much further to run than my C does (and she has less gear on, is faster than our C and she has a lot less to do in RF than our C does).
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
I agree with you for different reasons, ball hit to the right side of the field the RF is not backing up 1st.

The boys have the same thing with games but the angles are better.
 
May 23, 2015
999
63
Just a soft backup. Up the line fading towards the first base dug out. The bases are too short to warrant a horse race down the line
 
Oct 12, 2015
120
0
All Over I Coach TB
We have been down this road before. Lots of schools of thought. Most said in this thread is correct. I have to disagree with Marriard. I Have coached and developed a lot of D1 and D2 catchers over the years. If they want to be play at showcases and get noticed by coaches to play in college they will need to trail the runners. It is a part of playing the position. If they are not able to run 30 - 40 feet on average of 8 - 10 times per game down the line in the heat you have the wrong individual playing the position. You will need to condition them better and get them mentally ready to play the position. All of my catchers were from Florida so they are used to the heat, they are properly hydrated the nights prior to the games, and during the day. Running down the line is not a problem. Ask college coaches when you are at showcases. The catchers that are noticed are the ones leading their teams, and playing every pitch and every at bat. Not spectating or drifting.... Hustling, playing the position. Every good NCAA team you watch is trailing. It will get you several outs a year at younger levels 12 - 14 U. It will save you a base or two in HS and college per year.

As to when, always start teaching all aspects of the position as you develop them. You can't start to early. Once they can understand the concept of when they are to trail the runner and when they need to stay at the plate they need to start doing it. It also depends on the players level of commitment to the position. Are they a catcher, or a player that can catch. There is a difference in the level of commitment. The catchers in our organization start practice an hour before the rest of the team to get their specialty work in on mechanics of throwing, receiving, and footwork done before they start handing pitchers. Then organized defensive practice.

Again, IMO.

We average 6-8 games over a two day tournament in sometimes over 100 degree weather. Our catcher isn't running to cover overthrows at first.

However our RF is.

Unlike baseball, the RF fence is at 200', the RF is normally no deeper than 170' and that means our RF doesn't have much further to run than my C does (and she has less gear on, is faster than our C and she has a lot less to do in RF than our C does).
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
In softball the RF should be moving to backup errant throws to 1B. Given the angle of the throw from an infielder to 1B there is a higher probability of the ball going towards RF vs. HP. I have no problem having the catcher "drifting" up the line to help out, but running up the line on a full sprint seems like a waste of energy. The catchers backup 1B in baseball because the RF is much deeper. Softball can also play 5 or more games in a day, which will wear a catcher out.
 
Sep 29, 2014
2,421
113
Only have C run down on ball hit to right side, unless SS is playing really deep then maybe but again the full sprint thing probably looks best but is not accomplishing anything else, it all about angles. The C and RF should basically make a V imagining first base as the point and the V pivots a little depending on where the throw is coming from. C should be shaded down to home side and RF should shade towards OF fence sometimes this depends on the field and how much foul territory is where. I don't actually like trying to sprint either player so they are directly in line with the throw given the high possibility the reason you need back up is because it is off line or tipped. They should be close enough to prevent the runner taking 2B on the bad throw then they have done their job, as with everything teach it right whenever you teach; there are not many reasons to teach something different than the way it is supposed to be done.
 

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