Baserunning Basics!
The other night we had a little problem running the bases. Here is the deal.
First and second, one out. Huff on second and Salazar on first. HIGH fly ball hit to center. Huff is about three quarters of the way to third and Salazar is about fifteen feet behind him at the time the ball is caught.
Dave Trembley talked about how bad of a baserunning blunder it was and how it is not Kamikaze Baseball here. You don't run until you are out.
Huff said that they would not have been able to get back to the bases anyway and that it was not a baserunning mistake.
Here is my take.
It is a baserunning mistake that is made constantly. The reason they couldn't get back is because they didn't do what they were supposed to do.
First, when you take off in motion on that type of play, you have to take a step or two and glance in towards home at the time of contact. One, to see if the ball is hit at you so you can get out of the way, so you don't get hurt with a line drive. Two, if it hits you, you're out. Three, you need to know if the ball was hit on the ground or in the air.
Both baserunners in this case should have known after a step or two that the ball was hit high to center, and they should have at least been on their way back to their bases.
You don't run with your head down. That makes you an uninformed baserunner, and therefore, a bad one.
Ouch, but you're right. Bad baserunning. It probably wouldn't have mattered if our pitching could hold on to a lead. Well, at least the first half of the season was fun to watch. It's about time you blogged.