1st and 2nd 1 out.

It's certainly a baseball situation that occurs often. Runners on 1st and 2nd with 1 out. What should the defense consider? The bunt? Nah, there is one out. So, what is it that the catcher is doing at professional levels when he comes out from behind home plate and signals something?

What he is doing is making sure his defense knows what to do in case of a double steal.

With 1 out and a man on 2B it is certianly a good time to try and get to 3B with 1 out. It's a basic baseball tenet to get to 3B with 1 out. But, if both runners take off you don't want the 3B trying to cover the bag and one of the middle infielders trying to cover the bag. So, you come out in front of home plate and tell the defense with a signal which base you'll be throwing to if both runners take off.

Now, what goes into deciding what base you'll be throwing to? The speed of both runners governs that decision. If you have speed at 2nd and not much speed at 1st you would be inclined to throw the runner out at 2B. You would give a signal that would alert the 3B to hold his ground and alert the middle infielders to cover the bag.

It's what the signals mean but I'm not sure I agree with giving the signal in amateur baseball.

Here's why.

What if the trail runner doesn't run? There is no guarantee that he will. I think it puts a large burden on the catcher to know if both runers take off and where the ball goes if in fact they do. It's much easier to throw the lead runner out if he goes. One thing that is certain is the trail runner can't steal without the lead runner running.

Professional baseball is so tradition based. It begs the question when the catcher comes out and gives the signal, "why not steal the lead runner and hold the trail runner" in case the signal was for the trail runner?

Something to consider. From a cather's perspective it certainly would be a lot to tackle in the heat of the moment.