Are there recommendations or techniques for a 2nd baseman to use to avoid the sliding runner while making the double play throw to 1st base?

I think the obvious answer is "jump" to avoid the sliding runner, but that is kinda reactionary.

Is there a recommended way using footwork, for a 2B player, to use when fielding the DP ball from the SS on a close play at 2nd when the runner is sliding with intentions to breakup or "take-out" the 2B player?

Any drill suggestions to reinforce any recommended techniques?

Brian on a force for the third out of the inning we teach the 2b to post the bag like a first baseman on the SS side. Releasing the right foot on contact with the ball to glove towards the left side of the infield.

On a double play its going to depend on where the throw is received by the 2b. Inside we release inside , outside we release outside. What gets kids in trouble is when they receive over the heart of the bag and then stay there to make their throw. Also when they get there late they dont have the proper time to set up according to the throw. With the rules as far as sliding into the bag and the rules about not going through the bag things have become alot easier for mif's.

If the throw takes you over the heart then your approach will dictate which way you go with the throw to build your momentum to 1st. Rocker step or slide and plant.

I teach my 2B's to come across on every ball. They get to the bag and break down in an athletic position with their left foot on the bag and right foot next to it. As the ball is thrown, they step with their right foot directly to the ball. (The step should be low and quick). The right foot hits the ground EXACTLY as the ball hits their glove. This clears them from the sliding runner. Remember, if he runner gets ANY PIECE of them, it is interference.

If a ball is thrown up the line, I teach the 2B's to throw from their shoe tops to force the runner to slide early.

Thanks for both replies.

Maybe I've overlooked something. Are there new rules for base runners sliding into 2nd base where they have to avoid contact?

I've seen some horrendous collisions from a sliding runner into a 2nd baseman trying to make the DP throw to 1st and don't see many ump calls favoring the fielder. So, is there a new rule I need to be aware of? For typical DP 2B footwork, I also teach the left foot on bag, come across the base, and step towards the feed ball method for typical footwork on a DP throw to 1st base. (But, his coach seems to be overly concerned on defending against the collision at 2nd base. I was just initially looking for footwork methods to help with this. Maybe its now a non-issue.)

Oh yea, I should of stated this earlier, my youth plays USSSA tournament ball which usually defaults to high school rules beyond a few ground rules for pitching/field dimensions, etc.

As for rules the rule has been this way for years. Any player sliding into second has to maintain a straight path to the bag and cannot get out of that path. They cannot go in with cleats up. They cannot slide past the bag. For example if the throw takes them to the right (putting the bag between the runner and fielder) and the guy slides past the bag then we have interference.

If the fielder is standing in front of the bag then he is fair game as long as the runner doesn't come in spikes high.

The rule Coach 2709 is speaking of is a NFHS/NCAA rule.....This rule does not always apply in youth ball that is based on OBR (pro rules)...some do some dont.....I am not familiar with USSSA...but if they default to Fed rules...

I took this from an Umpire lesson plan I had so please forgive the verbage.......

Anyway,

The purpose of the rule:

It’s a safety rule designed to protect a fielder on a force play, especially when a runner attempts to "take out" a fielder on the front end of a double play that starts at second base. The NFHS is trying to cut out the hard slides often seen in professional baseball games, (and youth leagues) where runners at all costs break up the pivot of the second baseman or shortstop.

At first glance, the application of the rule seems difficult. Once we examine FED 8-4-2b, the force play slide rule, and FED 2-32-1, 2 and exception, the definition of a slide, it’s easier to understand the rule.

Rule 8-4-2 reads: Any runner is out when he: (b) does not legally slide and causes illegal contact and/or legally alters the actions of a fielder in the immediate act of making a play, or on a force play, does not slide in a direct line between the bases. A runner may slide away from the fielder to avoid contact or alter the play of the fielder. Runners are never required to slide, but if a runner elects to slide, the slide must be legal.

Legal slides

First, we’ll look at a legal slide. Then, we’ll look at what constitutes an illegal slide. Finally, we’ll study what happens on the force-play slide rule.

What is a legal slide? A legal slide can be either feet first or head first. If a runner slides feet first, at least one leg and buttock shall be on the ground. If a runner slides, he must slide within reach of the base with either a hand or a foot. (Fed 2-32-1)

Illegal slides

What is an illegal slide? An illegal slide occurs when a runner uses a rolling, cross-body or pop-up slide into the fielder; the runner’s raised leg is higher than the fielder’s knee when the fielder is in a standing position; the runner goes beyond the base and makes contact with or alters the play of the fielder; the runner slashes or kicks the fielder with either leg; or the runner tries to injure the infielder. (Fed 2-32-1a-e)

Penalties

When any of these conditions are met, the call is interference. The ball is dead and the runner is out.

And on a force play at any base, the runner has to slide on the ground in a direct line between the two bases. (Fed 2-32-1f)

An exception is allowed: A runner may slide in a direction away from the fielder to avoid contact or altering the play of the fielder (Fed 8-4-2 b exception)

On a force-play slide rule with less than two outs, the batter-runner is called out in addition to the runner. And runners shall return to the bases occupied at the time of the pitch. Of course, with two outs, the runner is declared out and the batter-runner is credited with a fielder’s choice. (Fed 8-4-2 penalty).

In addition, it is a no call when the runner does not slide in a force situation and does not contact the fielder or alters the play. The force-play slide rule isn’t enforced as long as the fielder has cleared the area. In other words, as long as the defensive player has moved away from the base before the runner arrives and he doesn’t slide and doesn’t have any effect on the play, there is no violation....


Confused yet?

Thanks for the rule clarity. It actually does make sense to me. I just haven't seen it applied very often. Come to think of it, I haven't seen interference called very much at all at the youth level.

Now, knowing how the rule is applied to baserunners and fielders at the bag, I'm still looking for methods that would teach a youth proper footwork to use to position themselves to make the proper throw from 2B to 1B and still get out of the way of sliding baserunner.

Take a look at this video. (Found this on Youtube. I don't know the players.) But, this 2nd baseman is basically just jumping over the sliding runner. Is there a method to teach this? Is this 2B player using the correct method?

Sorry to be so technical on this little detail, but I know my youth player will see this situation frequently and I'd like to prepare him with simulations and drills. I also know many many many coaches teach their baserunners to "take-out the 2nd baseman on their slide so he is unable to complete the DP."

Luck is where preparation and opportunity meet.... Or something like that...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eg2FjqbT08c

To me the jump over is an extension of everything that has been put above. With Fed rules as is then you really shouldn't have to teach it because the 2B should be out of the way with proper footwork. Once you get to a rules set that allows the out of the baseline but reach the bag rules set then the footwork described above is still what you want to do except be ready to jump over the runner as he comes at you.

Honestly I don't know if there is a drill that is safe enough to practice it. If you use a real runner there is the chance of a collision or spiking. If you use something like a football dummy rolled at them then they could come down wrong and hurt a leg.

Trying to make the throw standing in the path between the runner and the bag is where issues come in. The player has his front leg planted trying to make a throw and the runner is sliding into that leg. If you come across or rocker step back you dont end up in that situation. Jumping over the runner happens when your in line with the bag and the runner while trying to make the throw. The best way to deal with situation is to not put yourself in that posistion in the first place.