- Dec 11, 2010
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- 113
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?
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?