Hit and run (the ultimate sacrifice)

The hit and run sounds like a very detailed concept that managers put into play to be bold and courageous. In all reality the hit and run is a concept that only the most skilled batsmen can do with great success. For most of the other baseball players, the hit and run is a play that makes them sacrifice their at bat for the betterment of the team.

Let's make something perfectly clear. The hit and run is a glorified bunt. The main objective is to advance a runner. Now, with a sacrifice bunt the batter is not credited with an at bat. Not so with the hit and run. The batter is asked to protect the runner by swinging at almost every pitch and yet he gets credited with an at bat. That doesn't sound like such a good deal.

The hit and run is typically done with a runner on 1st. However, it could also be done with runners on 1st and 2nd (this is when triple plays happen). The batter is told to swing at any pitch as long as it is not in the dirt, it's going to hit you or it's a pitchout. The primary focus should be to hit a simple ground ball so the runner advances. In a perfect world, the ground ball would find a hole. An honest expectation is a simple groundout with a runner advancing. What counts should the hit and run be given?

Advantage counts for the hitter are good counts to hit and run in because the pitcher should be throwing a hittable pitch. Also, remember that this is a glorified bunt so never, never hit and run with two outs and seldom hit and run with 1 out.

It sounds exciting but at lower levels of amateur baseball it can be too difficult for its reward.