When should you drop foul balls?

Is there a time to drop foul balls? Is that time so predictable that you can teach an exact moment or is it something that is instinctive to an outfielder?

I believe it is a combination of both. But, it is certainly something that can be expressed to outfielders as to when they should consider doing so.

I belive that when the infield comes to an "in position" the outfielders need to be aware of possibly dropping foul balls. If the coach feels that the infield in is a necessary option than the coach believes that cutting that run down is a legitimate strategy. Therefore, on a foul ball that might score the runner at 3B, the outfielder must give some thought to dropping the ball.

If the infield is in, the coach is playing to prevent that run from scoring.

If the ball is caught in foul territory and the runner from 3B can tag and score, then the objective is not met. A run has scored despite an out being recorded.

My premise is that when the infield comes in an outfielder should then have this thought cross his mind. If the ball is shallow enough where he believes he can catch it and still throw the runner out he should go for it. If the ball is too deep where he can't keep him at 3B he should drop the ball intentionally.

The "pitchout" mechanics

If you are a team that uses the pitchout, you better be a team that teaches how to "pitchout."

Here is how you do it.

The first thing that can affect the success of the pitchout is the manner in which the pitcher delivers the ball to home plate. The pitcher must not be too quick but quick enough to give the catcher a chance at throwing the runner out. In other words, the pitcher should absolutely not slide step. The last thing you want is the pitcher being the reason that a runner doesn't run. If you're throwing an intentional ball, you want an out opportunity. Therefore, the pitcher needs to give the runner the impression that he can run. Quick to the plate but not quick enough to deter the runner from getting a good jump in his mind.

Now for the catcher.

The manner in which the catcher approaches the ball depends on whether the hitter is righthanded or lefthanded.

If the hitter is a righty, the catcher has a 4 step movement to throw the runner out at 2nd base. The first move he'll make is a step out with his right foot. Then he'll gain a lot of ground by meeting the ball with his left foot. This move is essential. He has got to move forward in the direction of 2nd base to shorten his throw. The basic premise of the pitchout is to make the catcher's time much better. Nothing quickens the catcher's time like a shorter throw. Once the ball is received the footwork is the same for the catcher. RIGHT, LEFT AND FIRE!

If the hitter is a lefty, the catcher has a 3 step movement to throw the runner out. His step out move and gain ground move can be made in the same step. The left foot will clear and gain ground simultaneously. When the ball is received it again becomes RIGHT, LEFT AND FIRE!

Again, the major tenet in understanding the pitchout is repping it enough so the catcher leaves his position on time(don't want a catcher's balk) and gains enough ground to make the pitchout effective.

Sliding head first into 1st base.

You see this maneuver many times in a season and yet it seems someone always says "you should never slide head first into 1st base." So, why is it still being done? Why do baseball players still dive into 1st base when the risk of injury is great. Furthermore, why do players dive when you move faster sprinting then diving. Are these players just morons or is there a practical reason to do this?

Well there is a reason but I don't believe it outweighs the risks.

Ostensibly, the dive into the bag is done to avoid the 1B's tag. The 1B moves off the bag to receive the errant throw. When the 1B comes off the bag, he will be looking for a runner to tag. The play is designed to remove that tag opportunity away from the 1B. If you see the 1B come off the bag, dive to avoid him.

But, in order to hold anyone acocuntable for such a play you have to practice this play. Is it really worth having players run full speed down the baseline and dive into the bag while reading the 1B in the process?

Sorry, I don't see it. It's just not worth the risk.

Pitcher wiping to a sign?

When a pitcher doesn't agree with the pitch that his catcher puts down there are a variety of ways he can say "no thanks." One of those ways is the more unconventional method and it involves wiping to a new pitch.

Here's how it works.

When the pitcher looks in and doesn't like his sign, he can choose to add or subtract from that sign by wiping his shirt or wiping his pants. If he wipes his shirt he is adding to the sign. If he wipes his pants, he is subtracting from the sign. Here is an example of how this works. Pitcher is pitching out of the stretch and wants to throw a changeup (4- or wiggle). The catcher, however, drops the number 2. Instead of the pitcher shaking and waiting for the catcher to drop the sign, the pitcher can add 2 by wiping to times to above his belt. The catcher simply adds two to his number two he dropped and then expects the changeup. The same could be done by subtracting if you wipe below the belt.

Why would this alternative be preferred over the more conventional method? Simply put, it speeds the process up.

Pitchers like to work quickly and this method can sometimes make things a little quicker.

This is definitely something that could be considered to have a pitcher work faster.

Where do you hit your "worst hitter?"

The debate about where your worst hitter should hit revolves around hitting them either 8th or 9th.

For years, the worst hitter hit in the 9th spot in national league lineups. That is to say, the pitcher assumed the last spot in the order and it was done this way across the board. However, just recently, Tony LaRussa has experimented with hitting the pitcher 8th. It brings up a great debate among baseball people.

I believe the most salient point in the argument revolves around this idea- "Do you expect your late hitters to be run producers OR table setters."

If you believe the inning still can be salvaged down in the bottom of the order, then your worst hitter should reside in the ninth spot. Move him as far down as he can so you simply have more opportunities to drive in runs.

If you believe that the majority of your runs are driven in by your 3,4,5 hitters then it would go to reason that the 8th hitter should be your worst hitter. This way, your 9th hitter has a better opportunity to get himself on base so he can be driven in by a better hitter.

Where do I stand on the issue? I believe that the worst hitter should hit in the 8th spot. If that spot comes up in a crucial situation you can always pinch hit for him. However, most runs are scored as a result of your better hitters driving the runner in. Why not have the 9th hitter be a table setter rather than an automatic out?

I like LaRussa's idea.

1st and 3rd. 3-2 count. 1 out

This situation is a very specific situation that must be given some attention if you truly understand how the offensive game of baseball is managed.

In this situation the manager must make a decision. Do I start the runner to avoid a conventional ground ball double play? In doing so, do I risk a strike 'em out throw 'em out double play? Well, yes! That's the fun of decision making.

But, in this situation there might be an opportunity to "save the play" if you're batter strikes out after you put the runner in motion.

Trail runners in a 1st and 3rd scenario should not be able to get a big jump. There is simply too much of a fake to 3rd opportunity. Therefore, if you start the runner and the batter strikes out (out number 2) you definitely run the risk of the runner being thrown out to end the inning. Meanwhile, that runner on 3rd is stranded with no opportunity to score.

Here's what you can do.

You can communicate to the trail runner with a signal that says if the batter strikes out, you stop short of 2B. When the catcher comes up to throw the runner out at 2B the lead runner will take off when the catcher demonstrates his intent to throw. The lead runner will then have a jump on the play and the trail runner will not allow the middle infielder an opportunty to tag him before that run scores.

The play is specific to this exact situation. You do not want an inning to end with a runner at 3B without some attempt made to score him. When we give this sign we want the trail runner to think "stop, if strike 3."

I witnessed the Yankees actually execute this same play against the Cleveland Indians in the AL playoffs many years ago.

Should the batter protect the runner on a straight steal?

When stealing 2nd base a point of contention exists as to whether or not you should have the batter protect the baserunner. Should the batter swing and miss intentionally to keep the catcher back and give the baserunner a better chance at stealing 2B?

There are two issues that must be weighed when making this decision.

A) Does the catcher have a slower time to 2B because the batter swung and missed?

B) If the answer to question A is yes, does it merit giving the batter an extra strike to hit with?

As for question A, I do not believe that it delays the catchers throw. A competent catcher receives the ball at the same time in the timing sequence and makes a throw to 2B regardless of whether the batter swung and missed or not. Therefore, my thinking makes letter B irrelevant. However, I'm certainly willing to concede that some coaches believe it does. Thus, making letter B a relevant discussion point.

If, in fact, swinging and missing delays the catcher, is it worth giving the batter an extra strike? I suppose it depends on the batter. Some hitters function perfectly ok with an extra strike while others become very inept in pitchers counts.

In general, I think it is overcoaching to ask a hitter to protect a baserunner who is attempting to steal 2B. They may be times when the concept applies but in general I think I would much rather my baserunner steal 2B independent of my batter swinging and missing to try and protect him.

Now, if you're having the batter do something that confuses who covers 2B. That's worth my while.