Category: Coaching
Type: Philosophy
Venue: Indoor & Outdoor
HIT AND RUN
The Hit and Run
The hit and run might be the most misused “play” in baseball. It appears to me that some coaches just use it to be using it. There are only certain situations that one can use the hit and run. Conversely, there are times when you absolutely should NOT run the hit and run. First, the list of “nots”.
2 outs - I am amazed at how many coaches attempt a hit and run with two outs. The purpose of the hit and run is to protect the runner stealing the base. In theory, the batter is giving himself up. On a hit and run, if a batter gets a base hit, it is a bonus, nothing more and should not be expected. Thus, a two out hit and run might get the base runner to the next base, but the batter will probably make an out which means the offensive team now gets to play defense. GET IT?
Fast base runner on base - some kids are just plain fast and are going to steal a base 95% of the time. So why waste an out with your batter, if your runner on first can steal the base anyway? A better strategy would be for the runner to steal second, and then bunt him over to third. In theory, the coach was already resigned to giving up an out to move his runner to second; it should be no problem to give up that out to move him to third.
Power hitter up to bat - When I was younger I put on a hit and run with our four hitter. When I walked back into the dugout, the manager of the team ripped me one. My reply was that our four hitter wasn’t a power hitter, which got me off the hook. However, your four hitter is paid to hit bombs, not give himself up to move a runner one base. So, in general, let the big guy hit.
The Do’s
Slow batter, average speed at first-You want to stay out of the double play for two reasons. First, a double play means two outs. Second a double play means momentum. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen an inning ending double play and the team goes into the dugout and suddenly score five or six runs.
A hitter who can handle the bat well and can go to opposite field-Be careful here. In my twelve years as a coach, I’ve had only one kid who I knew was going to be able to get inside the ball and go the other way.
Man on first and second-Sort of a personal preference for me. But, it does keep you out of the double play. It also makes it tough on the defense. When there’s two guys running, and a ball to be caught, things can get interesting.
Man on first and third-Even better! How many times do you see the catcher come out and put the first and third play on? So, the defense is ready for that fake throw to second, or whatever play they have on, then you hit and run. Oftentimes it never occurred to the defense that this could happen. Well, the runner on third goes on anything hit down, the runner on first was already going, and the batter, if he hit the ball on the ground more than likely is the only one who might make an out. Worst case scenario is you have a run score, a man in scoring position, and an out. Not to bad considering you could have hit into a double play.
The Technique
The hitter must first understand that, other than a ball in the dirt, he is swinging at EVERYTHING. To this day, I still see batters who know the hit and run is on, yet don’t swing. It even happens in batting practice. I don’t get it. The batter should be happy that he could swing at a pitch anywhere, and not get in trouble for it. Furthermore, the batter should expect a bad pitch. Why? Because if it is a good pitch, he shouldn’t have any trouble making contact; it’s those pitches over your head that one must worry about. An important note is there is no rule against throwing the bat at the ball in case of a pitchout.
As far as the swing, the batter definitely wants to tone it down. Ideally, he lets the ball get deep into the zone so he hits the ball to opposite field. However, in my opinion, hitting to opposite field is a bonus. The number one concern (actually number two after making contact) is to hit the ball on the ground. As I wrote earlier, one of the purposes of the hit and run is to stay out of the double play. If the batter hits the ball in the air, there is a good chance that the runner will be doubled up. On a high pitch, the batter should tomahawk the ball, thus swinging down on it. Remember that the batter needs to hit the ball on the ground.
The Runner - A few items of importance here. First, a runner should never get picked off in a hit and run situation!! It’s very simple, the hit and run is put on to stay out of the double play. We are giving up our hitter; they are giving up a base. A pick off should never happen. In other words, the runner does not need a great jump. Once the runner takes off, after the third or fourth step, he should peek to the batter to see where the ball is hit. If the ball is in the air, obviously he should stop, wait for the catch, and go back to his base. A line drive is different. If the runner sees the batter hit a line drive, he should keep going. If the ball is caught the runner will get doubled up anyway; if the ball goes through there’s a good chance he is now standing on third. Now, sometimes the runner will not see where the ball is hit. Then he must go to plan B, which is to watch the reaction of the defense. Usually this will dictate where the ball was hit. In closing, did I mention that the runner should never get picked off?
The coach - Well, obviously he is the one who puts on the play. More important, the coach must be vocal upon contact. He will say one of two things—UUUUUUUUPPP! Meaning the ball was hit in the air and the runner should stop and find the ball. As a bonus, I usually will yell up, then where the ball is headed. For example-- Up, right field! If the ball is on the ground the coach must yell KEEP COMING!!!!!Now, this is only a signal to keep him going to second and it should be clear that the runner isn’t necessarily going to third base. The next words should be something along the line of GET HERE or something like that. Each coach has his own language. Just make sure your players know what that language is.
Submitted by: Jerry Berkson
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