top of the inning...no outs...first batter strikes out. How do you throw the ball around (what order) and why? Any specific roles for the players? Interested to hear who does what and why....thanks

With a lefty up, we throw the ball:

C -> 3B -> SS -> 2B -> 1B -> P

With a right up, we throw the ball:

C -> 1B -> 2B -> SS -> 3B -> P

We do it this way to avoid any contact between the batter who struck out and the catcher.

You can also go with

C - 3B - 2B - SS - 1B - P

C - 1B - SS - 2B - 3B - P

C - 3B - SS - 2B - 3B - P

C - 3B - 2B - SS - 3B - P

I prefer to involve the 1B because they are part of the team too.

We always throw the ball to 1B and have him step on the bag. EVERY TIME.

JMW37...that's what I was thinking. One of the toughest, least practiced plays in 12u/13u baseball is the dropped 3rd strike. I have been contemplating changing this to always throw to 1B and step on the bag. I posted this topic to see if anybody else had a similar process and how that has worked out. Have you been successful with it?

I don't know how you would quantify being successful with it, but I sure think it makes a lot of sense at ANY level where you can advance on a dropped 3rd strike. Saw another HS in the area do it about 5 yrs ago and have done it that way since.

I guess I'll fess up and admit to getting tossed from a game two years ago after arguing a dropped 3rd strike call. It was the 3rd out, and my catcher still believes he caught the ball cleanly. Batter ended up on 2nd. I ended up leaving prematurely. I have been contemplating your system ever since. I will be trying it this year. My thought is C - 1B - SS - 2B - 3B. Then the responsibilities become:
1B confirms # of outs with RF
2b confirms # of outs with CF
SS confirms # of outs with LF
3B confirms # of outs with P

that way, if we mess up because we don't know how many outs there are, I always have two people to talk to about the situation. I can't believe I did not latch onto this years ago.

quote:

One of the toughest, least practiced plays in 12u/13u baseball is the dropped 3rd strike.

I'm not trying to be picky and say you guys are wrong but you can incorporate this play in with the catcher's blocking practice. Get one catcher behind the plate and the other at 1B (if the IF are doing something else - like hitting. Have them block and bounce to recover, create throwing lane and then get the out.

quote:

my catcher still believes he caught the ball cleanly

Now if there is any doubt then they need to make the play to leave no doubt.

coach2709...agree with you, and I like incorporating it with a real-life situation, however my experience has been that the inexperience/indecision (especially at the younger ages) is what creates problems. So my premise is to remove all doubt by changing the way we "throw the ball around". My feelings are that, by default, I am incorporating the catcher's throw to 1B at least 4-5 times per game, along with eliminating the potential for the very play that led me to a premature exit. I would rather touch 1st base on every play and eliminate any confusion than run the risk of another awkward call on a play that umpire's often have difficulty seeing.

coach2709,

It's not a matter of not being able to work on it. It is simple to me....If ONE time, we remove doubt in an umpires mind by throwing it around that way and stepping on the bag when they, as we, are prone to mistakes, then it is worth it. There is no risk on our part.

Everytime.
C-3B-SS-2B-3B-P