Runner on third...less than two outs

[coachtucc]

and the batter walks..touches 1st base and takes off for 2nd!

Question is how do you stop it???

 

[PAcoach]

Have the 3rd baseman scoot quickly to cover 3rd like your going to make a play on her, turn and fire to 2nd

 

[Amy in AZ.]

http://www.discussfastpitch.com/coaching-softball/2772-take-out.html

There are also 2 other discussions, in Search. This was one of the lengthier ones.

 

[softball_chic_12]

we either took the out at 2nd. or faked a throw to see if we could catch the girl at 3rd. or just ignored the runner going to 2nd.

 

[mudbug]

Focus on the problem at hand. The runner on 2b isnt a problem. Preventing the opposition from squeezing in the runner on 3B is. They will probably do a delayed steal in a pitch or two anyway if she doesnt go directly to 2B.

 

[V Mot 4]

Have the catcher throw the ball to first base right after the walk, and watch the other runner. No one ever went to second because the ball is at first, then she threw it to the pitcher

 

[mrslug01]

Have the catcher throw the ball to first base right after the walk, and watch the other runner. No one ever went to second because the ball is at first, then she threw it to the pitcher

Why risk the throw to first if they are running on the next play anyway. This is the nature of the game at U14. Ingeneral it's not worth trying to prevent it. You have to decide if you want to take the out at second when they run or not but the trick plays will inevitably see the ball thrown away and the girl on third score anyway

 

[mtnbama]

On any ball four with runners on, throw it quickly back to the pitcher, and have them turn and look at the runner going to 1st, ball in glove, hands down. Everyone else needs to watch the runner at 3B -- often times, the runner at 3B will just stand there, waiting to see if you make a play on the runner at 1B when they round the base. If they just stand there, and the pitcher doesn't make a play or fake like they are making a play, then the runner at 3B is out via hestiation. If the runner at 3B makes a break for home, the catcher/3B needs to alert the pitcher, who then turns and best case, sprints right at them to freeze them or run them back.

You also have a chance to get the runner at 1B on hestiation as well, if they round the bag at 1B and then are stopped by the pitcher staring at them.

This is a pretty simple play, no extra throws. It requires discipline and patience on the part of the pitcher to keep their hands down and not to look like they are making a play.

Might also be a good thing to let the field umpire know that you'll be doing this so that they will look at the runner at 3B -- most umpires never even notice the runner at 3B standing off the bag.

One other variation -- on this play you can position the 2B in the baseline, about midway between 1B and 2B, and then throw the ball to the 2B to tag the runner coming around quickly and then be in a position to get the ball home. This saves you from (1) trying to get the runner from 1B out at 2B, creating a longer throw back home and (2) sharply reduces the opportunity and room for the runner to create a rundown situation.

 

[Comp]

If you are warning the base ump about watching the runner at 3rd you are talking to the wrong ump. The batter/runner is the base umps responsibility, the runner at 3rd is the plate umpires.

 

[SamG]

mtbama...

A couple other notes... first, the runner on 3rd doesn't have to commit until the pitcher has the ball in the circle AND the batter/runner touches 1st. So that runner can stand off the bag, do jumping jacks, whatever, EVEN when the pitcher has the ball, as long as the B/R hasn't touched 1st yet. You might know that, but wasn't sure in your post.

Second, the B/R CAN round first (toward 2nd), go (almost) all the way to 2nd, STOP, then return to first. The B/R is allowed 1 stop, but must then immediately commit to a base (1st or 2nd). Simply rounding first does not equal an out.