Aggressive base running. 2017 vs 2021.

Hessel Station

Shanahan Tunnel

I think there's a distinction between "Bush league" baserunning, and "aggressive" baserunning. Nothing shown in this video is bush league in the slightest. Bush league (especially in lower levels of baseball) baserunning is either just pouring it on a team that is soundly beaten by continuously stealing every base as if you need the runs.. OR if you are in a league where the catchers are just not old enough to have developed the arm strength to have a chance to throw out runners trying to steal. Yeah you CAN take the base but is it really sporting to steal every time you get to 2nd? This baserunning in the video is not bush league at all, it's teaching fundamentals. There are entire videos of MLB players doing this same thing. It's being alert. The base isn't open, nobody's watching, nobody called time. Take your free base. This is just a well coached team running the bases in a very good fashion. And let me tell you, this sort of thing DOES translate to the upper levels. Being a good baserunner definitely will play.

People dont hit each other for that stuff because the good teams would do it themselves. And if they are that good, they will take overly aggressive base running and turn it to their advantage by getting outs. For example that last play a really good team could have stolen an out and left only a runner at 2nd instead of 2nd and 3rd. But taking extra bases and knowing what to do in situations is what all great teams too.

Its not so much that every type play or even many of them will work at higher levels, but the attitude of aggressiveness and putting pressure on the pitcher and opponent that is important to develop. You also learn what works and what doesnt that you dont learn when you dont take advantage of the chances you get. Pitchers love it when you just go base to base and dont make them think.

Is this camera on the base runners helmets

Yes this is legal. I know it can work. I still hate it. It feels cheap to me.

Gotta love it when a know it all's comments age like milk

Tried getting our 12U coaches last season to implement this strategy to avail.

It's bush league if you have a big lead, say 10 or more runs. I would also say it's bush league when you clearly know before the game you have a mismatch of talent. Otherwise, game on!

It did work 🤣🤣🤣

Nice!

I can’t recall the game, but I’m pretty sure I’ve seen the pros execute the same steal of second when the defense is asleep.

I see teams that use aggressive base running as a way to generate more runs. At the 11u level and up, those are the teams that usually win. For part 2, the fist bump and helmet tap are fine as I saw there was no attempt to encourage the runner toward a specific action. If opposing coaches complained, I'd give the same explanation as to my judgement and move on. Between innings, I'd chat up the first coach just to remind him not all umpires would take the same view.

If only the high school fielders had experienced base running like this when they were 11u they would have learned back then to defend against this.

The concept works. However, if the opposing team appealed to me a coaches interference on the first base coach and I was watching it. It would be tuff to not call it. The high five, sure. The push in the back of the head looked like it was encouraging him to keep going. Which I would have probably called R1 out. If you're gonna do that move, don't touch the player.

well it is a live ball if you can pull it off as a ump i say go for it

So what's the best way to defend the "walk then steal second" play with a runner on third base? I have my own idea, but I don't know if it's the best way because we have never successfully executed it.

Brutal! Ha... With someone on third and no force out and especially with perhaps only 1 out - fielding team is in a tough position here! Aggressive running often pays off especially if opponent doesn't know what their fist goal is - prevent run? get an out? If 40+ players in the MLB can steal their way from first to home (!!) aggressive running can have some obvious benefits.

Believe it or not I was watching my sons JV team play and one the biggest kids on the team got a pass ball drop 3rd strike inside the park grand slam!!!! Tell me anyone has ever seen that before!!! Smart base running and poor defense ball play killed the other team during this play. It was awesome!!!!

Got ‘em’!!!

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