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Online now: 2 members: Smiles123, TimMcElroy; 12 anonymousDiscussion: screens at third and firast
| Posted | Discussion |
| March 18 Yank 4 posts | The leagues in the East allow the runner to step off 3rd or 1st into foul territory but must retag the basr before advancing. This is an easy solution to screens in the infield. Yank in NJ |
| March 18 Gary19 Men's 50 2609 posts | Yank, are they allowed to get a running head start? |
| March 18 Omar Khayyam 1357 posts | Yeah, if you want to call it that, Gary. No advantage to runner, of course. I know this irks you, but our league in California allows the same courtesy. Has saved me a couple of times over the years when a powerful pull hitter has hit the bag and it ricochets. Other than that, no advantage, because such a hitter is as likely to pull it foul where you are standing next to the base coach as send it down the line. |
| March 18 Gary19 Men's 50 2609 posts | Omar, it certainly can be used as an advantage for the runner. I stand in foul territory and get a running, or at least a jogging start toward the bad while the pitch is in the air. I time it so I am hitting the base, or even a step before it but with a lot of momentum, so I am moving toward second at a pretty good clip when the ball is hit. That is certainly an advantage for the runner. How is a near-full head of steam when the ball is being struck v. a standing start not an advantage? |
| March 18 Omar Khayyam 1357 posts | O.K. I agree. If the guy is 10 feet off first, gets a running start before the ball is pitched, has the ability to not touch the bag until the ball is struck, he has an advantage. Of course, that has nothing to do with the question of standing off the bag to avoid a pull hitter and a potential ricochet off the bag. The guy taking a running start at first is in a far riskier situation with said pull hitter than a guy just standing there, or crouched there, but watching to avoid the ball. Also, in your scenario, since the motion of the runner going for the bag is going to attract the peripheral attention of the ump, the runner will probably be called out for leaving too soon, even if he didn't. In real life situations, which our league allows, I am off first (or third) watching the pull hitter, and I don't start running until it is evident that the ball is NOT being pulled toward me. It takes one or two steps to touch the bag, then run to the next base. Advantage: defense, not the runner. |
| March 18 Gary19 Men's 50 2609 posts | I was just looking at yet another screwy thing that can happen for yet another screwy rule. Since there really aren't that many guys who are going to pull that hard foul, what is to stop the runners from doing exactly what I described with all of their teammates batting, including many who they know don't pull the ball their way, just to get that running start? He shouldn't get called for leaving early at all if he does it right. Again, he can even time it so he is a step off the bag before the ball is hit and all of his momentum will more than make up for that step. In my real life, if I have that silly rule I am going to take full advantage of it. Why not? Just like the special bats, it sounds legal. |
| March 18 Omar Khayyam 1357 posts | What stops abuse of this rule in our league is gentlemanly sportsmanship. Everybody knows who the hard pull hitters are. Stepping off for others would be frowned upon and protested (not to mention damaging a player's reputation and respect if repeated). Gary, you need to play with guys who don't try to cheat and take advantage in every situation. |
| March 18 Gary19 Men's 50 2609 posts | Taking advantage of situations and cheating are not synonomous. And why, if just a 'situation', would you not take advangage of it? Again Omar, it is something being created by the special bats. We have always played with hard pull hitters, for decades, and yes we have slowed but never had to make rules or exceptions like this one. So what do guys do in these situations? Go off the base into foul territory, then not start for second until the ball is hit and wind up having to run even further than required? |
| March 18 garyheifner 651 posts | yank I like the idea. But, if you are on a running start it would be almost be impossible to make a move that could avoid a liner. This takes me back to my post last year that the SSWC staff blew off. (even though I think they are great) I was hit twice by liners off a lefty while on 1st. When you are on 3rd, you can stand in foul territory. Gives you a cushion. When you are on 1st, you have to stand in "FAIR" territory and are a sitting duck at 1st. The rule should allow you to stand on the orange when a lefty is up if you so choose. You are penalizing yourself as it is a full step furthur to second, but much safer. And "NO" I was not hit by Mikens. It was other bats. And no, I am not big, fat and slow. I am rather quick with very good reflexes!!! |
| March 18 Omar Khayyam 1357 posts | Agreed, Gary19, it is a situation created by special bats...and a little bit by older reflexes. In our league, we have guys on base that are in their 80s and hitters that are 50—not a safe combo, although the 50s have to hit with single walls. In answer to your question, guys can stand as far off the base as they desire, as long as they touch the bag before proceeding, and yes, it means a farther run. Cheating is disobeying the rules; taking advantage of a situation is bending the rules in an unsportsmanlike way—just my interpretation. |
| March 19 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | hef,seems like that would be the prol while trying to be on the move.on 1st try with your foot on the base(for me my left) and have the other back in foul territory,kind of like in starter blocks for a race for the front foot.if a batter hits it your way you can back up into foul territory by only having to move 1 foot,i would like it if they would allow us to use the safety bag with a potential danger from a lefty over there tho,just makes some sense to me. |
| March 19 Gary19 Men's 50 2609 posts | So few balls go right down the line it would probably be worth the risk. Not to mention when you know the batter has little chance of hitting at you the runner can really get a big jump. |
