1st and 3rd defensive absolute.

In 1st and 3rd defensive situations, I believe there is an absolute that must be accounted for. I say "know your priority." I think one of the more common mistakes in coaching this situation is that defensive teams try and stop every play. Instead, teams should have an idea of what they definitely don't want to allow. Amateur baseball players simply don't have the pre-requisite arm strength to be able to defend with diagonal throws across the diamond.

Here is what I mean.

If you don't want the runner on 3rd to score, for whatever reason, you need to put a defense on that explains very clearly to the defense that our priority is the runner on 3rd. The pitcher comes set and only looks at the lead runner. If he is not concerned about the trail runner, why would he look at him. The 1B does not yell "runner" if in fact the runner takes off to 2B. Middle infielders understand that if the lead runner is the priority, they certainly aren't going to cover the bag immediately when the runner breaks. Everything we do says disregard the trail runner. If he wants 2B, he can have 2B.

Now, if you're priority is the trail runner than that is the guy you focus on. Maybe it's late in the game and you're up by 3 or 4 runs. You would gladly trade an out for a run in this situation. Maybe you have a 2 run lead and you simply can't let the tying run in scoring position. Whatever the situation, you record the out and allow the run to score. We are not going to get baited into a rundown and then a throw home and all runners are safe. We have a very clear goal in mind and we ask our players to execute the plan.

The idea of asking amateur players to make professional type of throws is downright ridiculous.

The last caveat to this way of thinking. You must coach according to your priority. If you have priority 3rd base then you wouldn't want to do a fake to 3rd back to 1st play. Then, you would potentially have a rundown between 1st and 2nd with priority to their back. Very dangerous proposition.