"If you're going to run 3-2, run 2-2?"

This is a traditional baseball saying. The premise is that if you are thinking about starting a runner with a 3-2 count, then you ought to send him with a 2-2 count. If only it were that easy.

The thinking here is that the batter will have two strikes regardless of the count. Therefore, he will be swinging at strikes. You would hate to see a double play occur on the 2-2 pitch if you were waiting until the 3-2 pitch to start the runner. So, start the runner in that 2-2 count one pitch earlier and avoid the double play. Furthermore, conventional baseball thinking assumes that the 2-2 pitch and the 3-2 pitch will be the same pitch.

There is a problem with this logic, however. The problem is "what if the pitcher throws a ball?" If the batter takes ball three and the batter gets thrown out then all is lost. Is it worth the risk of ball three to have the runner thrown out?

Other issues exist with this logic as well. The runner in the 2-2 count would be straight stealing. There would be no other way to see this. He must try and get a jump because of the ball factor. Also, you wouldn't give the batter a hit and run because you wouldn't want him chasing strike 3 just to protect the runner. So, the runner is thinking steal the bag. maybe if you think a breaking ball is coming this isn't a bad thought. But, the coach must be cognizant of the running "mechanics."

With the 3-2 count, the runner will be executing a "hit and run" principle. He doesn't need a great jump. The hitter will hopefully be protecting him or taking ball 4. In either case, a great jump isn't imperative.

Something to consider the next time you hear a baseball analyst discuss this philosophy.