Force Play?

[WindyCityBlue]

We posted this very same scenario at the beginning of Spring. As with that play, the batter dropped a bunt and the first baseman fielded it. Instead of playing smart defense, the fielder was duped and allowed the runner (R2 to go to third). The B/R does not have a time limit to get to first and is playing smart offense by stopping and walking backwards. As long as he does not pass home, he is just a base runner staying in the three foot running lane. The defense is at fault for worrying about him when the answer is simple...throw it to first.

While you will not likely see this above the Varsity HS level, it is not necessarily because the players are smarter and can execute this scheme. At college and beyond, you have more and better coaches watching and planning for every contingency.