Second baseman up...good tactic?

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What do you think of the tactic of moving second baseman way up almost between pitcher and first baseline and keeping first base back? And when do you employ this tactic? Is it primarily to cut off a run with a runner on third with less than 2 outs and to defend a bunt/drag? Is it superior to first baseman up and 2nd covering 1?

 

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Saw it used alot by Southern teams. A good slapper will beat this shift though. They also used it when the first baseman wasn't very fast. They also have had the SS also shift up and keep 3B back when no one on.

 

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we used this defense at the 10U level this year, some similar to what you posted and sometimes a little different, with very good results. Of course, the situation, outs, runners, etc. have to be considered. Have to be careful of the slap issue that Evil Dad is talking about. Like any other tactical move, you must be prepared for many actions that may or may not happen. Overall I'm in favor of deploying this at the right time.

 

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Second baseman up for slappers - up level with the pitcher. Outfielders shallow.

 

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Very good stuff. I had not seen this but I see the logic in it depending on the team you are playing and the situations. i will try it out.

 

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We have used it for years and we call it the X defense. Good against bunters, but a good slapper will power slap you, or if she has power she will just take what the defense gives her.. So we never use it against slappers. Main reason as mentioned above is lack of speed at first base and you know the hitter is bunting..

 

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Your pitcher must throw the ball down and in for this to be effective. If they miss away your probably going to pay for it. Used it very efectively many times against an All-Ohio player.

Slapper's customarily do not like the ball in on there hands and will either drag the ball toward second, or weak grounders to the left side of the infield. This alignment also put the slapper in a position to do things that they aren't accustomed to, such as power slap and swinging away.

 

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We used this a lot last season and will again this year. It offers a couple of advantages. First of all we have a very tall girl at 1st base and a short one at 2nd base. We found on the bunt,if we had first charge, that we had too many overthrows due to our 2nd basegirls height... our tall 1st basegirl snagged anything close to her - even the very high throws.

Also, our 2nd basegirl was quick as a cat and pounced on balls - esp those that are hit slow and short. She could make a quick decision - tag the runner/batter if possible and if she missed or could not make a tag she could still wheel and fire to first. We also would bring up the RF if a smaller girl was hitting - she covered the hard hit that went by the 2nd basegirl...

 

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Doug, your thread gives me D?j? Vu

 

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I use this defense a lot not just on slappers. It allows the pitcher to focus on pitching the ball first and not worry about covering bunts down the 1st base line or in the valley. I have seen too many times when you have first base cover bunts. Second running over to cover first has to shift her momentum back because the ball is thrown behind her usually leading her to pull her foot. In one tournament a team had their 1st baseman line up behind the second baseman. I think it was to be a close back up in case the second baseman missed the ball. Then who ever did not have the ball covered first. This only worked once I think. They went back to playing old school when a hitter punched it down the first base line.