3rd strike call, Rule?

[Louuuuu]

Doesn't really matter about the K, the batter runner was smart to run, this is why you run on everything, it drew the throw. Unfortunately, for the defensive team, who probably got the out (from a K) but the run scored. Lesson learned for me, continue drilling to my kid, run on everything and when in doubt, make the play until the ump says stop!

I agree with you, to a certain point. I remember 100 years ago when Louuuuuise was in Rec Ball, there were some teams that had their batter run every time Strike 3 was called. In my opinion, it made the players look like they didn't know what they were doing. This would be a good time to teach the young players what conditions need to be present that would allow them the possibilities of running to first.

 

[crystlemc]

In my opinion, they Should run on every 3rd strike. Unless they are looking behind them at the catcher, they should have no way of knowing if the strike was caught or not. And if it is less than 2 outs, runner on first, they should still run. If the catcher isn't paying attention to the situation, you have 2 runners on. I am not saying to try to confuse the catcher on purpose. I'm just saying run until they call you out.

 

[Louuuuu]

'Depends on the age group maybe. But if I see the other team's pitcher & catcher going 6-8 batters solid without a pitch hitting the dirt, I'd rethink that philosophy...

 

[crystlemc]

That philosophy is pretty low risk. The worst that happens offensively, is that your batter is out. Assuming your other runner is paying attention.

 

[Dawgsdad]

The batter should be tracking the ball all the way to the mitt, on a called third strike. Also, they should know the rules and whether if or not there is a runner at first with less than 2 outs, she is automatically out. Just running on every third strike could make them look recish. And if they are striking out that much to begin with, something is wrong with the coaching.

 

[crystlemc]

Okay, what if it's a swinging 3rd strike?

 

[Dawgsdad]

Is there are runner on 1st? What are the outs? Is it a bad decision by the batter to swing at a ball in the dirt? At 12u, I believe, they should start understanding the rules that tend to happen more frequently in their games. Im not bragging but my DD is pushing close to 100 games this 2014 spring, summer and fall and still playing and I would bet she struck out less than 15 times. This fall, 18 games, select level and subbing for a rec team and 1 strike out. So I would teach the girls not to swing and miss and teach them to track the ball all the way into the mitt if they don't swing. Has helped my DD a ton!!