Examining a 9-2-6 play. Youth baseball strategy + more...

In depth look at a single baseball play and how effective practice can prepare players to make good plays. A look at some strategy in how to approach one specific scenario.

[@rj7411]

Love it. Voice over sounded fine to me. Appreciate the time you took to put this together. So much to see and learn from. Atta babe!

[@jonnybaze]

Currently .1-.25% mortality rate. .03% in California. .1% in New York State. .05% in Spain. Get out and play some baseball and get you some immunity.

[@justinburgan4184]

That SS ever play catcher? And that's why he went to his knees possibly?

[@jec2276]

What do you use for your recording device and mounting station?

[@juanbustos1052]

Can't believe how out of position the umpire is

[@MJHBaseball]

Yeah, there is actually a video dedicated to that very thing. Not sure if he had some issue this weekend or if he always sets up like that. It's not a safe spot to be for sure. But he was really good as an overall umpire and we were able to "steal" some low strikes thanks to his set up. Check out that video.

[@deplorable_bitter_clinger7482]

I'm sorry I had to replay the beginning - I didn't notice the play because I was shocked and fixated on the ump's crazy stance behind home plate! WTH? He was almost standing sideways which opens him up to injury since the gear is made to protect the front. Plus he was too far behind the catcher. I can only surmise he was afraid of being hit by the ball and wanted to present the smallest target possible and be far enough back so he can react to the ball and move out of the way.

[@bryanhowcroft2932]

The first baseman should be watching the batter to ensure he touches the base. It's not clear if the bench areas have gates or not - if not, the pitcher should be the cover man for any throw from right field. Your first baseman will eventually be the cut off for plays so why not teach that now? I have 8 year olds doing that now and it has stopped runs. The ball is a sure single so turning the first baseman into a spectator is a waste. And given the momentum of the second baseman, you have a player at the base should a rundown happen. The runner going from 2nd to 3rd pulled up WAY too early. A hard turn and reading the catcher could result in a run on the throw to second.

[@jackiechan7320]

4 months later the cardinals had a 3-2-8 double play

[@joellajuett1060]

Excellent catcher skills. Eyes on lead runner before he got to 3rd. Then without hesitation he fires to second. A bird in the hand is better than 2 on base.

[@1958trickyricky]

wow there is more to playing than just playing

[@realtoast7036]

Did third base runner miss an opportunity as soon as catcher released to 6? It would have been really something for shortstop to catch, tag, and dish back to catcher for another tag at plate. Great play and explanation!

[@bertlarson2062]

I agree...bad base running at 3rd...bad base coaching...just camped on the base

[@DorianPaige00]

You have a 'fast' infield' and virtually no pitching mound which is another reason why this works so well.

[@scoop8529]

just wanted to let you know that I'm a huge fan and an umpire for my local little league, all of your videos are informative and unbiased unlike many little league coaches these days lol keep up the good work!

[@GreenLord128]

I find it odd the ump is so far behind the catcher. Seems less protected, but maybe they have rules that they have to be 3 feet away or something. I haven't umpired for yrs but I miss it

[@scoop8529]

Jeb Lowe 100% less protected... learned that the hard way as a rook lol

[@scoop8529]

Jeb Lowe you see it a ton in little league though, unless it’s travel ball it’s all up to the individual league to decide on licensed umps or not and they usually sway towards trusted local guys who know what they’re doing to save themselves some money

[@scoop8529]

Jeb Lowe & I miss it too.. with this quarantine in NJ I haven’t even been able to step on a field this year

[@jfr1114]

Thank you, this is Good content, my only comment is that this was not a great throw from right field. Strong , yes, Good, no. You can’t stress enough to your players that that throw has to hit the cutoff; in this case he missed the cutoff. Yes it was lower than sailing over your catcher but still could have been a disaster. Your catcher made a great play to field that throw on a hop , but look where he ended up having to field it: 10 feet up the third base line and three feet foul; moving 10 feet up the line isn’t as important in my view as the fact that in order to get the long hop, he had to cross the basepath into foul territory to avoid having that throw handcuff him. if that runner had kept coming , that is a collision waiting to happen or maybe in avoiding the collision, the catcher stays in fair territory and the ball ends up handcuffing or eluding the catcher entirely and the trail runner/hitter ends up at third base. Your right fielder may have a strong arm but a strong arm doesn’t help if he can’t throw to his intended target. I also agree with earlier comments that first base should get this cut (you did address that in your comments) so I just want to point out that this positioning as your guys did it not only leaves your first baseman without a job, and your catcher with nobody backing him up, but it also leaves your cutoff man (your pitcher) out of position. If he HAD caught that cutoff, he’s only 20 feet from the catcher. Pointless. Your catcher would be better off with an unobstructed view of that throw the entire way in, than to have to react to a guy missing the throw that’s that close to him...or the pitcher having to catch the cut and then spin 180 degrees to make a 20 foot throw. Just awkward all around, and wastes valuable time. Having the first baseman take that cut forces your cut to be at least 45-50 feet from home , which is a better “mid-point” for the outfielder who is throwing , it gives your catcher more time to react if the throw misses the cut, and finally , it leaves your cutoff guy on the outfield side of the mound, thus avoiding the risk that the throw to the cutoff guy hits the mound before it reaches him and takes an unpredictable bounce in a different direction. Or that your cutoff guy trips on the mound itself since it isn’t flat. You want to keep your cutoff guys on the outfield side of the mound . And one last thing: also teach your 1B man that if he IS going to defend this play this way, at least turn and watch and make sure the runner doesn’t miss first base , and be alert for an appeal play there if he does. Every player should have a real job on every play. If your guys are too young to get the intricacies of advanced cuts, it’s fine to do it this way for practical purposes but don’t miss the opportunity to show them how it can be done better as they advance . In this case my only actual feedback would be to remind the right fielder that that throw has to be catchable by the cutoff man, OR it has to reach the catcher on the fly; throwing it so it lands between them is a potential bad outcome

[@antoniojackson7432]

Great content! Please do more baseball strategy breakdowns. As a new baseball coach, I really do appreciate your KZbin channel.

[@ondra6814]

does it bother you, that the catcher didn't set himself up right? for me he's far behind the plate when he first sets up for catching that throw :D anyway another great vid, i love what you're doing

[@TPinesGold]

Ondra, you don't like the catcher's position at 5:17? This looks good to me. He can't set up in a position that would constitute obstruction before he has possession of the ball.

[@kenconroy4053]

Great video. The only thing I would add, this appears to be at least a 70' diamond and on this size field, I prefer to use my corner infielders as my cut to home. This frees the pitcher to go behind the catcher in case the throw gets away.

[@MJHBaseball]

Yes, I agree and even mention that in the video, but you may have missed that. It's a very good point to make. These fields were 80' bases and 54' pitching.

[@DorianPaige00]

Pitchers in this league might be better fielders.