And so it was at a game this week, we had a one-run lead going into the last inning. The home team gets a runner on third with one out. We brought the infield in and the next batter grounds out and the last batter strikes and we win.
But it is interesting to think about — seems clear to me that we ought to bring them in and keep the winning run from scoring. But would I do it in the fourth inning? Probably not. You want the out and you are happy to give up a run. The fifth inning? Maybe, but it depends on who you have pitching, what part of the lineup are you facing.
Made me think that for a new coach, it might be good to at least talk about.
The image has the runner out at home, as the idea is that if the runner on third takes off we gun them down at home.
We had a play earlier in the game where there was a ground out back to the mound and the pitcher did a great job freezing the runner at third and throwing to first. In a one-run game that play becomes the difference between winning and losing.
How about this: if you have a one- or two-run lead in the last inning or two just bring the infield in and be happy. That’ll get you started.
So what do you do in practice? Put runners on the bases and call out situations and work on freezing the runner at third and still getting the batter out at first. Work on throwing home and positioning the catcher in the right place for a good tag is the throw does come home. The more you do this in practice, the more likely it is that your team will make the play in a game.
