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Friday, November 6, 2009

Baseball Base Running - When Not to Slide Into Second Base


By Larry Cicchiello

If you are a runner on first base and a ground ball is headed to the second baseman, make a quick observation as to where the second baseman is going to field the ball. If he is going to go to his left to field the grounder, it would be very wise for you NOT to slide into second base. If you slide, you are opening up a throwing lane for the second baseman to his shortstop. A much better choice is avoid sliding and run slightly to the right side of the baseline. It's a very easy and intelligent play that unfortunately, not too many base runners put to good use. By not sliding and running on the right side of the base line, there is a very good chance that when the second baseman fields the grounder, he will look toward second base and see you and not be able to see his shortstop. A simple thing like this can create chaos for the team in the field. One possibility is that the second baseman will not even attempt to get the force out and you will now be in scoring position at second base. Another possibility is that if the second baseman does attempt the throw to second base, he will alter his throw because he has to either get it over you or around you. He could very well throw the ball away and you may now have two runners on with less than two outs, rather than having one runner on and possibly two outs. It creates an entirely different scenario and this simple technique can lead to a big inning and a big inning can have a major impact on the outcome of a baseball game. Most people in attendance at the game, including players and coaches, won't even notice what happened because it is a very good play that very few are aware of.

Another time to at least consider NOT sliding into second base is if you are on first base and a pickoff throw gets away from the first baseman. When the pickoff throw gets away, immediately look over your right shoulder and make a very quick determination as to where you think the first baseman will pick up the ball.

If you think the ball will be fielded far enough away that you can possibly go to third base, you do NOT want to slide into second base and waste time getting up from sliding and then consider going to third base.

These are two very good baseball base running tips that unfortunately, not too many know about.

Larry Cicchiello is the author of the very informative book "Excellent Baseball Coaching: 30 Seconds Away." He is unique in that his site offers visitors several FREE TIPS that are straight from his book. His book includes many baseball tips on hitting, baseball pitching tips, baseball fielding tips, baseball base running tips, baseball coaching drills and more. Your baseball "help desk" will be open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day and 365 days a year and very user friendly. You will be FULLY EQUIPPED as a manager, coach, player at any level or a parent who wants to help their child improve or overcome any baseball struggles.

You can visit his website at http://www.larrybaseball.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Larry_Cicchiello



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1 comment:

  1. Most parents or coaches have always wanted to put their own child's name onto their jerseys. Not many places do it, or it just seems impossible to find such a place. I found a place on the internet called Eastern Lettering. Their website: www.easternlettering.net.

    They sell authentic tackle twill numbers that go onto any kind of sports jerseys that you may have. I know they provide them for adults or youth. And give discounts to youth organizations when ordered in quantities. Eastern Lettering can even do virtually every pro team number font out there, so if you have a professional football team for example, and need to match up the correct numbers or letters, they can do it. www.easternlettering.net

    The numbers & letters can be ironed on with a regular iron, or stitched or sewn on with a standard sewing machine. But these are the exact same twill numbers that they used on college, and pro jerseys. I think it is a great website and you can even buy custom jerseys from their site. You can choose your own name and number. Or if you have for example: a blank New England Patriots jersey, you can buy the numbers & letters to go on it, and customize it yourself. I never saw a site like that before.

    Thanks. WWW.EASTERNLETTERING.NET

    ReplyDelete

Hello Baseball Friend,
I welcome any comments or suggestions. If you have a question or a topic that you would like to read about, please leave a comment and I will try to address that topic as soon as I can. Good luck in the coming season!
Have a great day, Nick