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Baseball Video Tips 
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Receiving The Baseball (for catchers) -- with Matt Kruger of Northeast Baseball Two Ball Soft Toss -- with Jonathan Pollard of the Stable Baseball Academy |
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Baseball Strategy Blog
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Bouncing Leads at 2nd Base Posted by Andy Katz on March 14, 2010 What is the proper approach when taking a lead off 2nd base? I like taking a simple approach. Take the largest lead where you know you can get back to the bag safely if the pitcher throws over. Usually, this is two steps and a dive. Too many young ballplayers are overly concerned about where the shortstop and 2nd baseman are playing. I see many players extending and shortening their lead based on what they see and instructions screamed from base coaches or the bench. I call it bouncing. There are situations that warrant extended leads, but in general I like my players to take the same lead every time. Don't worry about the fielders. The pitcher has the ball. He is the only player who can get you out. Adjusting your lead causes two very bad habits: 1. Taking your eye off the pitcher-Do not look back at the fielders when you are off the base. 2. Shifting your weight towards 2nd base- When you bounce back and forth depending upon the positioning of the fielders, you run the risk of shifting your weight back towards 2nd base. You are going to have a very difficult time scoring on a base hit or even advancing to third on a grounder if your weight is directed towards 2nd base. If I'm a pitcher and I see the runner at 2nd base shift their weight back towards the base, that is a great time for me to start my delivery. Rather than trying to gain an advantage by bouncing, use a secondary lead to put yourself in a position to advance and score. When the pitcher commits to the plate, take two aggressive crow hops as your secondary lead. Then, react to the situation. This approach will put you in a good position to score on a base hit, advance on a hit ball or ball in the dirt, and you do not run the risk of being picked off. How do you take leads off second base? Join the discussion on BaseballThink.com |
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Pickoff Play Accuracy -- by Andy Katz of the Grip N' Rip Club Who's Calling The Pitches? -- by Andy Katz of the Grip N' Rip Club Score Runs With The Contact Play -- by Andy Katz of the Grip N' Rip Club Leading Off Third Base -- by Kyle Provost of the Royal Rooters Baseball Club When To Give The Green Light -- by Andy Katz of the Grip N' Rip Club Caring For Your Glove -- by Joe Murphy of Glove Inc. Blocking Pitches In The Dirt -- by Dan Jalbert of Extra Innings Intangibles Sought By A Major League Scout -- by Phil Nicoletti, Cleveland Indian Scout Holding Runners On 1st Base -- by Sean Gildea of the Yawkey League Maddogs Mental Checklist For Shortstops -- by Chris Plant of the Park League Padres & MABL Rangers Pitching Mechanics For Kids -- by John "Smokey" Moore of Extra Innings Bunting With A Big Lead -- by Andy Katz of the MABL Rangers Catching-5 Keys To Success -- by Dan Jalbert of the Yawkey League Rockies & Extra Innings Breaking In A Glove -- by Joe Murphy of Glove Inc. Hitting The Ball Up The Middle -- by Al Becker of the Yawkey League Bluefish |
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