"Coach Dunns Quick Pitches" — By Coach Jack Dunn

Think and Grow Rich!

Napoleon Hill was a famous philosopher of personal achievement. One of the books he authored was titled "Think and Grow Rich," which was based on the Andrew Carnegie formula for making money.

In a baseball context "Think and Grow Rich" means scoring more runs, which in turn should equate to more wins. Successful coaching demands that the coach recognize and then take advantage of as many situations as possible during the course of a game/season.

Do you recognize this situation and then take advantage of it or allow it to slip by?

Two by Two

With two outs and a runner on second base or runners on second and third bases, the hitter gets a base hit to the outfield that will result in the outfielder making a throw to home plate in an attempt to throw out the runner trying to score from second base, the hitter should continue on to second base. This action will force the cut-off to make a decision to either:

1. Cut the ball off and play on the batter/runner advancing toward second base.
2. Allow the throw to go through to home plate and play on the runner attempting to score from second base.

If the cut-off man chooses to cut the ball off and play on the batter/runner advancing toward second base, A Run Will Score!

If the cut-off man chooses to allow the throw to go through to home plate and ignore the batter/runner advancing to second base and the runner attempting to score from second base is thrown out at home plate, the batter/runner advancing toward second base is of no consequence.

However, if the runner attempting to score from second base is safe at home plate, the offensive team will have a runner at second base and in scoring position. The runner at second base will likely score on a base hit to the outfield. Failure to advance in this situation and remaining at first base would normally require two base hits to score a run, which has a low probability of occuring.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Coach's Responsibilities

1. Must have pre-arranged sign to remind the hitter that he is to advance.
2. Must practice this situation during "Situation Hitting Drills" so that hitter understands his responsibilities.

Hitter's Responsibilities

1. Must read the ball to be sure that a play or throw will be made to home plate…If there is no play on the runner scoring from second base, stay at first base.
2. Go Hard! This will enable the batter/runner to advance and prevent and easy put out.
3. Go Looking! See the cut-off man's decision! Do not make the third out at second base before the runner scores.
4. Get Hung Up! – If necessary. Absolutely Critical – stay in the run down long enough to allow the runner to score before the third out is made. Do not make the third out before the runner crosses home plate.

Runner's Responsibilities

Runner on Second Base – Runs hard and attempts to score.

CONCLUSION

Give this situation some serious thought and consideration. It will pay real dividends during the course of the season.

"Think and Grow Rich!"

When the runner at second base represents an important run, exchanging a run for an out is a fair exchange! The pressure is on the defense to make the right decision.

Good Luck!

This article will be continued.

For more from Coach Dunn click on Coaches Corner on the JUGS® website.