Runner on Third defense

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Jun 11, 2013
2,619
113
If we get a dropped third with a runner on third and the catcher does not have time to tag the runner, how do
most teams defend the play. Do you ignore or just get the out and hope the girls does not come home on the throw?

Same situation with a bunt with a runner on third. Do we just make the play or do others set up certain plays to try and get this runner out.

It came up a few times in a recent tourney (Young 12U team with very good players).
 
It depends...how far is the ball away is it right in front of her? is it 10 feet away? what's the score tied last inning? are you up by 5 in last inning.

It is always hard to access without understanding EVERYTHING in the situation sometimes outs are paramount, sometimes runs are paramount.

As a general rule at 12U your catcher and first should be able to execute this say over 50% of the time and get 2 outs (yeah I am just making up a number but better than 1 out of 2 sounds right but probably not better than 2 out of 3). Biggest variable is obviously the ability of the players involved the catcher, the first baseman and the runner. A good runner might be more than a third of the way to home after catcher checks she might stop but not retreat at which point the catcher need to know whether the out or run is more important. If your 1B and C are awesome studs and the runner at third is slow they might do this in their sleep 4 out of 5 times.

Ultimately this is one of those things where not enough kids have the softball IQ to understand whether the run or out is more important, I pretty much take this out of the equation for my players GET THE OUT unless I tell you otherwise.
 
May 7, 2008
8,506
48
Tucson
I agree with David. And the infield needs to know what you want them to do, if the dropped 3rd strike occurs. So, do you let a run possibly score, but you get an out at 1st? Or do you want the catcher to fire the ball back to the pitcher?

If that runner continues to 2nd base, then what?

I would be telling the infield some odd number like 23. Catcher is throwing to first base on a dropped 3rd strike. Or 21, she is firing the ball right back to the pitcher.
 
Jan 20, 2012
34
0
Don't forget....

Another option that might work well at that level ( 12U/14U ) is this. I'd use this scenario if the score is close. Go get the ball, take a step or two down the line towards first, make a fake throw and then fire to 3B to catch the runner at 3B off guard and pick her off or get in a pickle. Pitcher should be comin' anyway to cover home.


I agree with David. And the infield needs to know what you want them to do, if the dropped 3rd strike occurs. So, do you let a run possibly score, but you get an out at 1st? Or do you want the catcher to fire the ball back to the pitcher?

If that runner continues to 2nd base, then what?

I would be telling the infield some odd number like 23. Catcher is throwing to first base on a dropped 3rd strike. Or 21, she is firing the ball right back to the pitcher.
 
Mar 31, 2013
59
0
Chicago
Or how about pull the 1st baseman up the line to put the tag on the runner and shorten the throw home? If the runner retreats she is out.
 
E

erum

Guest
She wears the mask at 2b also. We do the progressive thing. I roll the balls working on the different pivots and scenarios. but as soon as i start hitting the balls everything breaks down. I'll try to foam balls
 
Feb 21, 2014
2
0
Let's say you have a fast runner at 3rd, less than 2 outs and the hitter bunts. not a safety or suicide, just bunts, and then waits to take off as soon as throw is made. Let's make it a close game and you don't want to concede the run. Your catcher and 1B are decent and but not studs. Do you eat it? or hope for perfect bullets to 1B and to home?
 
Oct 3, 2011
3,478
113
Right Here For Now
Let's say you have a fast runner at 3rd, less than 2 outs and the hitter bunts. not a safety or suicide, just bunts, and then waits to take off as soon as throw is made. Let's make it a close game and you don't want to concede the run. Your catcher and 1B are decent and but not studs. Do you eat it? or hope for perfect bullets to 1B and to home?
Tied game we look the runner back, fake the throw then try for the out at 3rd. Up one or more runs, we look the BR back and go for the out assuming we have time left on the clock to start the next inning. Last inning or no time on the clock, we will look the BR back, fake the throw then try for the out on the BR from 3rd or run her back to 3. Next play will probably be a cut play when the BR1 steals 2 trying for the out on BR3 if we run her back to 3.
 
Feb 21, 2014
2
0
Thanks Yocoach. Last year this happened to us against a more experienced team. We had the stud pitcher, they had an overall excellent team. We did just that and they loaded the bases. We gave up one run, got out of major damage, but they won the game handily as every inning they managed to apply speed and small ball pressure, combined with timely hitting on us the whole game. We've been practicing this and are ready this year.
 
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