12u defence

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Apr 20, 2018
4,581
113
SoCal
Runner on 2nd, 1 out, well hit base hit to out field. Fielded cleanly. Who is going where and how do we keep it 1st and 3rd? If the pitcher goes to back up home, how do you stop the player (who got the base hit) from advancing to 2nd and not letting run score?

Does it have to be the pitcher in the circle to get a hesitation call?
 
Dec 10, 2015
845
63
Chautauqua County
assuming well hit to L, throw goes to 2B to either hold runner at 1B or make a play. runner at 2B has already scored. lots of variables here. I could be wrong or I could be right.
 

Strike2

Allergic to BS
Nov 14, 2014
2,044
113
Runner on 2nd, 1 out, well hit base hit to out field. Fielded cleanly. Who is going where and how do we keep it 1st and 3rd? If the pitcher goes to back up home, how do you stop the player (who got the base hit) from advancing to 2nd and not letting run score?

Does it have to be the pitcher in the circle to get a hesitation call?

If you're talking about lookback...yes, it needs to be the pitcher in the circle.

If you want your pitcher to backup Home in this situation, rotate 1B into the middle of the infield placing herself between the throw and Home. OF immediately throws Home low and hard...airballs allow everyone to advance. If the throw is accurate and there's a play, the ball goes Home for the out. If the runner rounding 3B holds, or there's no play, Catcher calls for the cut, and the 1B (or 3B if the throw is coming down the LF line) stops the throw and is ready to fire to 2B.

The reality is that you still may have to choose between the runner rounding 3B and the one rounding 1B. When seeing that ball fly towards Home, many runners rounding 1B will take off for 2B. If you throw back to 2B, any pickle situation probably scores the run from 3B. There are some game situations where trading a run for an out is perfectly acceptable. Otherwise, hold the runner at 3B and allow the advance at 2B. Chances are at 12U, that runner is getting to 2B anyway.
 
Last edited:
May 28, 2014
281
18
Assuming the ball was hit hard to LF and the runner is slow this is what would happen with us -

Pitcher is going to back up home
1st Base is coming to the circle.

Throw comes into cut at the circle - 1b can cut to 2b to get the runner there - or let the throw go home if there is a play -

If the runner is fast, or the ball was a slow roller, we are coming into 2b and conceding the run at home. If there is no obvious play at home then the 1b is staying at 1b to take the throw behind the runner if needed.
 

NBECoach

Learning everyday
Aug 9, 2018
408
63
We use the pitcher as the cutoff for all throws home from the OF. The rule of thumb we have for our OF's is they throw 2 bases ahead of the lead runner (except when the lead is on 3B) for a ball hit on the ground, and 1 base ahead of the lead runner if the ball if hit in the air and caught.

So with runners on 2nd and 1st if the ball is hit on the ground to LF our pitcher would position herself in line with a throw to the plate as the cutoff from LF and can enter the circle quickly if needed. The 1B can be the back up at the plate as attempting to catch the runner at 1st off base frees up the runner at 3rd to score.
 
Apr 20, 2018
4,581
113
SoCal
We use the pitcher as the cutoff for all throws home from the OF. The rule of thumb we have for our OF's is they throw 2 bases ahead of the lead runner (except when the lead is on 3B) for a ball hit on the ground, and 1 base ahead of the lead runner if the ball if hit in the air and caught.

So with runners on 2nd and 1st if the ball is hit on the ground to LF our pitcher would position herself in line with a throw to the plate as the cutoff from LF and can enter the circle quickly if needed. The 1B can be the back up at the plate as attempting to catch the runner at 1st off base frees up the runner at 3rd to score.

Probably the beat way to handle it. ^^^^^^^ Mainly because "yes, it needs to be the pitcher in the circle." Just use to pitcher backing up home(baseball)


I am talking about a play where the runner on 2nd is not an automatic score. One hopper directly it LF or a ball she has to wait to make sure it drops in and cannot release in fear of double play.

How about have SS slide over to 3rd base an 3rd baseman read the play and back up home when needed?
 
Jul 16, 2018
120
18
Probably the beat way to handle it. ^^^^^^^ Mainly because "yes, it needs to be the pitcher in the circle." Just use to pitcher backing up home(baseball)


I am talking about a play where the runner on 2nd is not an automatic score. One hopper directly it LF or a ball she has to wait to make sure it drops in and cannot release in fear of double play.

How about have SS slide over to 3rd base an 3rd baseman read the play and back up home when needed?

I would say no just because the way you describe it (at least how Im reading it) is your 3B is running away from the play. You dont need your 1b at all since there isnt a play there and if there is a throw home they would be in better position as they are going to it
 
Apr 20, 2015
961
93
Depends on your team. Unfortunately as we have seen in many college games after so many years of just pitching many pitchers seem to lose their ability to throw overhand and are the last person you would want trying to rifle a ball anywhere. On many younger teams your pitchers are some of your best athletes so I think the concept is correct....quick rifle to the infield cut who is either 1st or pitcher depending on your situation but no matter what you do unless it was shot or that runner had to hold up for some reason its likely that run will score

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
 
Feb 26, 2018
328
28
That run is either scoring or the girl is ending up on second. The key is just getting the ball back into the infield as quick as possible. Also, a well hit ball to RF fielded cleanly should be thrown to first to try and get the out at first. CF needs to come into the cut. LF needs to get it to SS or 3B. In any of those situations if the runner is held on 3B, I'd be happy. If the girl is held at first, she's more than likely taking second on the very next pitch anyways.
 
Apr 20, 2018
4,581
113
SoCal
Thanks for all input gentlemen. We are going to try out the different solutions at practice. Leaning towards the pitcher taking cut.
 

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