A month ago, while reading through threads on base-running from a couple years ago, I came across an intriguing post by a poster named quincy on a "Runners on 2B and 3B" thread. This quincy posted the following:
"Howard Dobson, currently LSU’s hitting coach, stated that when there are runners on 2nd and 3rd they are always going when the ball is hit on the ground. It doesn’t matter how many outs, game score, runners, batter, etc. They are going, no exceptions. The runner on 3rd base responsibility is that if they are going to be an easy out at home is to hold up before the plate so the batter can make it to 2nd."
In our team practices, I've proven to our runners that the odds are better than 50-50 that the runner at 3B can score when we do as Dobson suggests. I've also proven to our defense that it is usually harder to get the out at home than it is a 1B, so they had better field the ball quickly and cleanly and make a perfect snap throw home if they are going to get the out there.
I stress to the defense that they MUST get an out. Of course, the easiest out is generally at 1B. The best, but riskier out, is at home. They have to get and out!
I stress to the runners that they must be explosive in advancing once the ball is hit down.
I like this Dobson philosophy! I've been much to cautious with my runners when I've had runners at 2B and 3B.
"Howard Dobson, currently LSU’s hitting coach, stated that when there are runners on 2nd and 3rd they are always going when the ball is hit on the ground. It doesn’t matter how many outs, game score, runners, batter, etc. They are going, no exceptions. The runner on 3rd base responsibility is that if they are going to be an easy out at home is to hold up before the plate so the batter can make it to 2nd."
In our team practices, I've proven to our runners that the odds are better than 50-50 that the runner at 3B can score when we do as Dobson suggests. I've also proven to our defense that it is usually harder to get the out at home than it is a 1B, so they had better field the ball quickly and cleanly and make a perfect snap throw home if they are going to get the out there.
I stress to the defense that they MUST get an out. Of course, the easiest out is generally at 1B. The best, but riskier out, is at home. They have to get and out!
I stress to the runners that they must be explosive in advancing once the ball is hit down.
I like this Dobson philosophy! I've been much to cautious with my runners when I've had runners at 2B and 3B.