Category: Infield
Type: Tip
DON'T DANCE
Too often you see a retreating runner start to juke -- and the fielder stops or slows his advance, and matches dosey-do with the runner, often pump-faking. This "dance" is best left to endzones, not basepaths.
If the runner has not turned around and fled full speed to the base, the fielder should continue running right at him. A fielder running forward will ALWAYS catch a runner dancing backward. If you go full speed, the runner has two choices: be out, or run away FAST. If the runner jukes, leave spike marks up his jersey (metaphorically). But if he commits, turns, and finally is himself going full speed back to his base of origin, he is an easy out on a good throw.
Submitted by: Jeff Smith
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