If you were a coach would you ever teach...

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Turn the question around, and answer the following: do you teach your batters that a single to the outfield (RF,CF or LF) to look at going to second base if the throw comes to the cut-off instead of directly to the base? What about a bunt with a runner on 1B - does the player covering first throw behind the runner, now at second,in hopes of an over-run? I think many good coaches observe how the other team is playing certain situations and instruct their players to play appropriately. Sometimes, the better players know what to do without being told, other times, the coaches need to help them. After all, that's why their coaches, right?

 

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- 2 outs and facing bottom of lineup and runner on 3rd: why oh why is catcher trying to pick her off 3rd base?

Ok I am getting off track.

Few things on this. First, if that runner is presenting an opportunity to get an out, you take it. Second, with some teams the bottom of the order isn't too different than the top. Sometimes you will see a top of the order kid batting down to help her see better pitches if she's slumping.

Suppose you do pick that kid off at third. Now next inning you have 8, 9, 1 coming up instead of 9, 1, 2. I like that too.

 

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At 1st yr 16uI had a CF that would make that play on a regular basis. The first two times she did it on her own and made it look easy (she taught me something that day), so after that I encouraged her to go for it. She had a very real perception of her ability and only attempted when she knew she had a play. I can't say that I have ever had another CF that had that capability though.

 

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... We actually had a coach hollering -- One One One ...

The real question is does the coach know whether the CF is prepared to attempt that play. As some have posted, it's a legitimate play for some teams that are prepared to attempt it. It's a red flag if the coach is expecting players to make plays in games they haven't been prepared to make.

 

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I've been around the team for 90% of all games the past 3 years , was on staff with the current assistants last year. Was totally shocked to hear our staff holler for that play to be made . In fact quite the opposite , the former CF was ridiculed and told NEVER EVER do that again ( she did in a sweet 16 game in which we lost 3-0 , her throw went in the dugout ) . Was a totally strange out of place attempt for us and to repeat it again after we threw the first one away ? I dont agree but hey its the opinion of a parent on a message board . It could be noted that on the second attempt 1B was not covering first.

 

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In my 5 years coaching HS softball, and the 8 years of travel my DD played I have never seen a centerfielder try to throw a runner out at first base on a ball hit to her. Now I have seen many a times where a hard hit ball to right field resulted in a out at first but never centerfield. At the college level, I have not seen a runner yet (at the 100+ games I have seen) get thrown out at first base from right field. If it would happen, you can probably bank on that kid not being in future lineups.

 

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In my 5 years coaching HS softball, and the 8 years of travel my DD played I have never seen a centerfielder try to throw a runner out at first base on a ball hit to her. Now I have seen many a times where a hard hit ball to right field resulted in a out at first but never centerfield. At the college level, I have not seen a runner yet (at the 100+ games I have seen) get thrown out at first base from right field. If it would happen, you can probably bank on that kid not being in future lineups.

I have and it was on TV. I don't recall the teams but it was a Line drive to right field and runner was thrown out. I want to say it was a big 10 game on TV.

 

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RF is a whole diff situation than CF .. I'm with AJ , I've watched 1000's of games the past 7 years , dont ever recall a runner being thrown out at 1b from CF , I dont ever recall an attempt being made. NOT talking throwing behind a runner , just the regular throw to 1B

 

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Younger DD pulled this off last year. Made my mouth drop.

 

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at what age group browsfan ?

 

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Our dd's schools have done it from CF and Left field when they played.... If they have the arm, go for it....

 

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I chalk this up to making a "Softball" play. A good team of ballplayers, that know the game, situations and each other well can pull off plays like this. I do not think we as coaches should discourage thinking outside the box or being aggressive, but at the same time it all depends on the players you have. I coach what puts the players in the best possible position to be successful, but also talk about making "Softball plays" as well. A real simple example is a backhand play, we teach to move your feet to make the play inside the body, but if we cannot then backhand it and do what it takes to make the play. The players that backhand or dive when not needed is making a "routine play look spectacular". Its a fine line, don't want to coach them to throw the ball around either. Always play/coach to be successful and the percentages, but also be open to letting them play the game. Be careful about over coaching and making it to textbook, its a game for kids played by kids, let them figure it out on their own to a point and guide them. Sometimes they need to see it play out in front of them for them to truly understand the game and what it takes to be successful. My 2 cents.

 

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I chalk this up to making a "Softball" play. A good team of ballplayers, that know the game, situations and each other well can pull off plays like this. I do not think we as coaches should discourage thinking outside the box or being aggressive, but at the same time it all depends on the players you have. I coach what puts the players in the best possible position to be successful, but also talk about making "Softball plays" as well. A real simple example is a backhand play, we teach to move your feet to make the play inside the body, but if we cannot then backhand it and do what it takes to make the play. The players that backhand or dive when not needed is making a "routine play look spectacular". Its a fine line, don't want to coach them to throw the ball around either. Always play/coach to be successful and the percentages, but also be open to letting them play the game. Be careful about over coaching and making it to textbook, its a game for kids played by kids, let them figure it out on their own to a point and guide them. Sometimes they need to see it play out in front of them for them to truly understand the game and what it takes to be successful. My 2 cents.

This is a definition of a good coach

 

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at what age group browsfan ?

She was 12u when she did this. She was not coached that. I asked her after the game, why and she told me "I felt O could do it, so I pulled the trigger." Had the girl by a step too.

 

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I also think coach Tom's advice and comments are dead on .. We have tried it three times and are o-3 with two balls being thrown out of play and the third time the 1B didnt cover ... So I think we better skip it . The big point I made earlier is the difference between your average HS team and a well oiled , experienced , heavily drilled travel ball team ... Totally YES from me on making the NON routine play , total agreement on freedom can be given to players / teams who fit the criteria to pull off great plays , the ones that try it without practice , not what should be going on. It looks like a circus . So Cal Dad was very accurate ... do you work on it ? If not , why attempt to pull it off ?

 

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Learned from Crystl Bustos at a clinic 3 years ago I was helping at that this subject is just one of many reasons CA teams are ahead of many. She said they teach throwing to first at a young age and love playing us Midwestern teams for we don't expect to see it coming...and get this....from left field to first. So yeah after eye opening moment we teach it and situationally expect them to do it especially when coaches blindly say round it on a single and BAM your out! 1 in 20 in my book is better than never. Yet to get the out but close several times.