When do you let them think?

[MTR]

Watching an 18U state tournament recently, I was once again reminded how well some players are drilled in getting the out. No matter where they are on the field, with two outs, the player always throws to 1st base.

Don't misunderstand my question. I think it is great that they know with two outs, the play is at 1st base. However, at this tournament, I was reminded of the other options. There were more than a dozen plays in 10 games where a player gave up a one-step play (tag runner or base to which a runner was forced) to throw across the field to 1st base. In a couple of those instances, the BR was safe.

One one play, F3 damn near accidentally got the force at 2nd base when she tripped trying to get good footing to make the throw to F3. If she had actually fallen, she would have gotten the force out on a runner 15' away from the base. On another play, a forced R1 actually stopped within 3' of F5 to avoid INT. The throw to 1st was low and all runner were safe.

Again, I have no problem with teaching the players to go to 1st. Obviously, that should be the routine. However, my question is as a coach, at what point do you back off that drill and encourage the players to think of alternate options like taking the easy force or tag play instead of risking an across-diamond throw? Is it at a certain age level? Individually depending upon how quick a player can grasp the knowledge? Or do you just stay with the drill and forego the possibly easier out?

Just curious how you would approach your players on this subject.

[Tucson]

I think that by age 10, the girls should know where the easy out is. And if they don't, I am telling them.

[Martin]

MTR, at this game did the catcher call her own game or was she still receiving signals? Did the baserunners wait to be told whether or not to reach for the extrabase? Who tells the fielders where to relay the ball to - the catcher or someone in the dugout? Stuff like this is all part of the same problem, IMHO.

[Cannonball]

You let them think when you have coached them. Isn't that what the end result is supposed to be? They are not robots. They should progress as players which would include knowing all of the options on fielding plays. Naturally, that would include knowing that their teammates are also advancing and so, know where to cover.