Delayed Steals In 12U

[druer]

@Amy - Didn't even notice the gloves. Classic. I was looking at runner why some parent had yelled get down and she was going to do a seat drop on top of the plate from that close.

 

[rowdy]

I would say the chances of successfully taking home against a decent team is less than 1 in 10. The worst batting average on our team is over .325 so I think I would take a chance on my hitter advancing the runner rather than counting on a player not paying attention. Most of the teams we play I have a lot of respect for the players and coaches and wouldn't want to give them a free out while insulting their teams ability to make a pretty simple play.

 

[BB875]

I would say the chances of successfully taking home against a decent team is less than 1 in 10. The worst batting average on our team is over .325 so I think I would take a chance on my hitter advancing the runner rather than counting on a player not paying attention. Most of the teams we play I have a lot of respect for the players and coaches and wouldn't want to give them a free out while insulting their teams ability to make a pretty simple play.

I agree with your statement. The odds are not with you. Against a good team, you're toast if you delay steal home. Against a weak team its pretty easy. But why would you use this tactic against a weak team? I think the delay from 2nd to 3rd base is a good play to consider. Sometimes, even good teams, get complacent with the runner on 2nd base.

Last weekend we were playing a weaker team. I stopped sending runners on pass balls at a certain point. However, the catcher would throw down to 3rd for the pick off when my runner was just a few steps off the bag every pitch! It happened over & over. She wasn't being smart about it either and her coach kept telling her to throw. She finally had a bad throw & I kept my runner on the bag figuring the coach would get the point that its not a great idea to try the pick off over & over when everyone knew it was coming except his LF, LOL...I finally couldn't take it. I told my runner to get a big lead & go home as soon as the catcher released the ball. I don't like doing that when we are up by 10+ runs, but come on!

I have been on the other side of it when we were a brand new team playing an excellent older 10U team. They are up by 10+ runs keep delay stealing home & my catcher was helpless. I felt it was "bush-league" at the time. However, looking back I should thank that coach because I made it a main point in practice after that day & it has never happened since.

 

[guero_gordo]

OT - but look at the batting gloves, the batter is wearing. I wonder if they are Mechanix? They are supposed to be great for hitting, but are sold in gardening stores.

Equally OT: Could be the m-pact model, which has pads for impact. Most Mechanix gloves have fabric backs and suede palms for cut protection while wrenching.

 

[tmolina]

Delayed steals are very common in 12U. I train my pitchers and catchers to defend against it. I make sure my catchers vary their throwbacks to the pitcher. I have my pitchers catch the ball and immediately look at the lead runner.

If I see a pitcher and catcher who are susceptible to a delayed steal I won't use it right away. What I'll do is wait till later in the game when I need a run. I try not to teach the other battery with a meaningless run.

I don't think there are any meaningless runs, if you delay steal and score early in game then you might not need to do it later! Every run counts.