- Oct 19, 2009
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I grew up on baseball. One unwritten rule was: when you had a team beat, you no longer bunt and steal. Some coaches broke this rule, and they were heavily denigrated by their peers and regarded as classless jerks. There was a local NAIA college coach who did this and the other D-III coaches used to use this against him in recruiting players. If you played college ball in the 80's in Central Ohio you probably know who I'm referring to.
Now by way of comparison, I'm relatively new to fastpitch but I've coached high school, rec, and travel. Is it my imagination or does this unwritten rule not apply to fastpitch?
I've seen a high school team continue bunting and stealing with a 20 run lead. Also seen so-called elite program travel teams bunt and steal with 12 run lead in the final inning. Even delayed steal home with a 9 run lead in the final inning.
Now, I would not suggest for one second that you tell your players to play less than 100 percent in any situation. But when the game is in hand they hit away. Base coaches don't try to stretch doubles into triples, you don't call bunts, steals, etc.
At the very least I think it is in poor taste but I thought I would put it out there. Is there something about girls fastpitch that makes this unwritten rule not applicable and I'm not seeing it?
Now by way of comparison, I'm relatively new to fastpitch but I've coached high school, rec, and travel. Is it my imagination or does this unwritten rule not apply to fastpitch?
I've seen a high school team continue bunting and stealing with a 20 run lead. Also seen so-called elite program travel teams bunt and steal with 12 run lead in the final inning. Even delayed steal home with a 9 run lead in the final inning.
Now, I would not suggest for one second that you tell your players to play less than 100 percent in any situation. But when the game is in hand they hit away. Base coaches don't try to stretch doubles into triples, you don't call bunts, steals, etc.
At the very least I think it is in poor taste but I thought I would put it out there. Is there something about girls fastpitch that makes this unwritten rule not applicable and I'm not seeing it?