Monday, November 12, 2007

2B, do you practice this double play ball?

So often when fungoes are hit the 2B works on his underhand flips, his jump turn feeds and a variety of other feeds to the SS. Very rarely do you see the 2B work on the charge ball that requires a potential tag of the runner.

Runners are taught to not get tagged out on batted balls. With a runner on 1st and less than two outs a double play is in order. So, when a ground ball is hit to the 2B that requires him to charge the ball there might be an opportunity to still turn a double play. Here's what I'm talking about.

The 2B attacks the ball and the runner is closing in on him too. He picks it up with hopes of applying the tag. However, the runner stops and doesn't allow a tag to occur. The 2B should then begin chasing the runner back to 1B but not continue to chase the tag. The chase the runner is to drive him further away from 2B. When the 2B has the runner retreating from 2B he should throw to 1B to record the 1st out and then a rundown will ensue for the 2nd out.

It is an unconventional double play but certainly one that happens to occur. I believe instinct would have the 2B throw to the SS in this situation because it is the normal way in which to record the 1st out in a double play.

This method is certainly the exception rather than the rule but one that should be shown to 2B during fungo work.

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