I see it pretty frequently. For example, on a steal attempt C's throwdown to second goes to the first base side a few feet and SS just quits on it and lets it fly to the OF.
As a rule, the smaller player usually yields to the bigger, and sometimes the fielder yields to the incoming runner regardless of size.
I don't want to make excuses for throws that are offline, but it happens on occasion. Often the runner would be out if SS would just go catch and tag. It is painful to watch when SS gives up on it and allows a first-to-third that should have been a recorded out. Agonizing when the play starts with runners at first and third with 2 outs.
Maybe some SS or first basemen can weigh in on stepping toward an incoming runner to catch a throw without being intimidated. Or as a youth coach do you take a safety-first approach and tell the fielders to let it fly to avoid any chance of collision?
As a rule, the smaller player usually yields to the bigger, and sometimes the fielder yields to the incoming runner regardless of size.
I don't want to make excuses for throws that are offline, but it happens on occasion. Often the runner would be out if SS would just go catch and tag. It is painful to watch when SS gives up on it and allows a first-to-third that should have been a recorded out. Agonizing when the play starts with runners at first and third with 2 outs.
Maybe some SS or first basemen can weigh in on stepping toward an incoming runner to catch a throw without being intimidated. Or as a youth coach do you take a safety-first approach and tell the fielders to let it fly to avoid any chance of collision?