Standoff at third

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by Rufus

As the pitcher's coach would it be ok to instruct the pitcher to request time once he has control of the ball and the runner is back on the bag? That's how we resolved this "issue" a few seasons ago and it seemed to work well but I couldn't tell you if this is/was a good way to proceed.

We're not the tenth player on defense as officials, so no, I wouldn't grant the coach time to allow his pitcher to return to the mound. What the defensive coach should be doing is teaching his pitchers to not turn their backs on the runner on their way back to the mound. If they've got the coordination to pitch a baseball, they certainly have the coordination to walk backwards toward the mound while holding the runner.


Tim.

[danreeves1973]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

We're not the tenth player on defense as officials, so no, I wouldn't grant the coach time to allow his pitcher to return to the mound. What the defensive coach should be doing is teaching his pitchers to not turn their backs on the runner on their way back to the mound. If they've got the coordination to pitch a baseball, they certainly have the coordination to walk backwards toward the mound while holding the runner.


Tim.

THANK YOU!!!

I have mentioned this idea to probably four or five coaches over the past three years and always get this blank stare as they try and process the idea of a player walking backwards.

[BigUmp56]

It surprises me that you're seeing this at the 12 year old level, Dan. When I worked a lot of youth ball I didn't see this at that level. It was the 9U kids that were constantly doing it. By age 12 they should have learned how to defend against it.


Tim.

[youngump]

Why not just hand the ball to the third baseman?
________
ROLL A JOINT

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by youngump

Why not just hand the ball to the third baseman?

You mean do something that's really obvious?

Coaches in LL minors are usually really new at coaching. Combine this with their not understanding 7.13 (the no-leadoff rule) and you get really strange activity.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by youngump

Why not just hand the ball to the third baseman?

Because if the pitcher does, the third baseman will have to throw the ball back to the mound. At that age, and more pertinent with the inexperienced coaching, every time the ball is thrown from one fielder to another there's a good chance the ball will be misplayed. I understand what Rich was saying about 7.13, but remember, this thread began discussing USSSA 12U where there is no prohibition on lead offs.



Tim.

[danreeves1973]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

Because if the pitcher does, the third baseman will have to throw the ball back to the mound. At that age, and more pertinent with the inexperienced coaching, every time the ball is thrown from one fielder to another there's a good chance the ball will be misplayed. I understand what Rich was saying about 7.13, but remember, this thread began discussing USSSA 12U where there is no prohibition on lead offs.



Tim.

actually Dixie has a 7.13, not sure if it's exactly the same as LL's, but it does prohibit leading off. Once pitcher has the ball on the rubber, catcher is in position, runners must be on their bases.

sorry if my misclarification caused any confusion.

[BigUmp56]

My bad, Dan. For some reason I thought we were discussing USSSA. I should have gone back and checked the first page of the thread. It wouldn't change what I was talking about though. All the runner has to do is show he's making an attempt to advance while the ball is on it's way back to the pitcher, and he cannot be forced back to the bag just because the battery is set. I looked at it this way when I coached my sons in minors. The defense has to execute several things to be successful in getting the runner out. They have to throw the ball twice, catch the ball twice, and execute a tag. The runner just has to book home and slide......


Tim.