Tuesday, November 5th, 2024

Be on second base!

May 30, 2017 by  
Filed under Base Running

Challenge yourself to be on 2nd base on every fly ball!

You see it all the time in the big leagues on TV.  A player hits a pop-up, slams the bat down, and runs about 60% to first base.  Most of the time, the fielder catches the ball and the batter trots back to the dugout after half-heartedly rounding first base.  Until the ball drops.

The wind, the sun, miscommunication, and down right lack of talent all can be a factor when a ball is popped-up.  Runners should never assume that every pop-up is an automatic out.  That’s why when hitters pop the ball up, especially in the outfield, coaches should immediately yell “Be on second base!”  This reminds the batter to bust-it down the line so that if the ball if dropped/missed, he gets to second base.

It may only happen a few times a year (obviously, much more so at the younger levels) but if the ball is dropped/missed and the batter is coasting into first base, there should be hell to pay.

Run everything out with a goal to get to second base on every pop-up.  It’s the right way to run the bases.

Note:  Every situation is different.  If there is a runner on first base or even second base on a pop-up, a runner may not be able to execute this strategy.  It mainly applies when nobody is on base or just a runner on third.

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