"Contact" at 2B?

Typically the "contact" play is reserved for 3B. Before I proceed any further, let's review what exactly the "contact" play is. The play, by definition, is when a runner at 3B breaks to the plate as soon as the ball hits the bat. If the ball is hit on the ground, he continues on his way to home plate. If the ball is lifted and hit in the air, he retreats to the bag to make a "read" or a decision as to what to do. It's very aggressive and puts the runner at risk on line drives to the infielders.

Is there a time and place to ask the runner at 2B to execute the "contact" play?

I believe there most definitely is.

Although I have never heard of a coach teaching such a base running read, I contend there is a time and a place to ask a runner to do such a thing.

Runner is at 2B with 1 out. This much must be true. With 0 outs, it makes absolutely no sense to ask the runner to make a "contact" read at 2B. However, if a runner stands at 2B with 1 out he is taught to "read" the batted ball. Breaking on contact is the equivalent of a 2 out read with the exception that you may have to hit the breaks and retreat once the flight of the ball is determined.

So, what situation might exist where we would want a runner at 2B to make a 1 out "contact" read at 2B.

Here's what I think.

The pitcher is controlling the game. We, as an offensive team, have been struggling. Hits have come few and far between. So, I want to roll the dice and ask the runner on 2B to get a big jump on a batted ball. The same reads would apply at 2B that apply at 3B. As soon as the ball hits the bat, he's off. If the ball is hit on the ground he runs. If he is going to be out by a lot he gets in a rundown. If the batter gets lift, he retreats and makes a good read. Are there some risks? Obviously. But, there are risks with the normal contact play and desparate times call for desparate measures.

Now, I think the best time to try this play would be with a left handed batter up where a ball hit to the left side is less of a chance. You wouldn't want to be foolish and run your runner into an out arbitrarily. So, a lefty in the box rather than a righty would make more sense.

Here are the pros and cons.

Ball is hit in the air. Really nothing changes with the contact read. You would have to stop and make a decision. You don't run blindly.

Ball is hit on the line. We very well would be doubled up but then again I see us doubled up many times with traditional reads. If we're going to get doubled up on a hesitant read we might as well be aggressive. Also, this aggressive read gives us a great chance to score on balls that get through now. As opposed to holding at 3B on a "freeze" on line drives read.

Ball is hit on the ground. We are moving on contact and have a decent chance of scoring. If the ball is hit to the left side of the infield we would have to get in a rundown and try and let the trail runner advance.

I think if a coach were going to teach some of these concepts he would be well served to ask the runner at 2B to treat it like a 2 out read and set a deeper angle as he would be expected to score on a hit.

I think the play has merit. But, I would never discuss with a professional coach. I know their opinion of anything "outside the box" already.