Today in the first inning I struggle to understand our strategy. I know
questioning things triggers some on the board, and no I've never been a college softball coach. Perhaps that's why I can't understand this.
We have Ritter on 3rd, ***en on 1st, with only 1 out and Peck batting. Why are we not sending ***en on the first pitch? Have her trot to second. Dare the catcher to throw. If Ritter maintains a comfortable lead off after the pitch, she may not throw. If she does throw, great, send Ritter home. Who cares if she get Cam out?
If she holds the ball, Cam gets to second and then you don't have to worry about grounding into a double play.
Only possible thing I could come up with is the catcher could fake the throw to 2nd and instead the pitcher pick it off and catch Ritter in a rundown. I suppose it's possible, but considering we scored zero yesterday I can't see how it isn't worth the risk.
Instead, we set on first and third and Bre struck out. Now we're at 2 outs and our options are limited. Then Chatfield gets out and the inning is over with no runs and two left on, again.
As I said, I'm no softball coach, which is why I couldn't understand why we didn't employ this strategy at the time. Still can't think of a reason hours later.
Posted: 03/23/2024 at 09:56 PM ET
Thread Replies (15)
Today in the first inning I struggle to understand our strategy. I know
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-- vatechcowpatty
Mar 23, 2024 at 09:56 PM ET
vatechcowpatty
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03/23/24 09:56 PM ET
"Questioning things triggers some on the board" is an understatement**
-- Italian Stallion
Mar 24, 2024 at 01:52 AM ET
Italian Stallion
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03/24/24 01:52 AM ET
It's not the questions - it's the judgements. Questions, answers,
-- laphroaig
Mar 24, 2024 at 01:48 PM ET
laphroaig
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03/24/24 01:48 PM ET
Double plays are so rare, I would not consider that in any scenario unless
-- nkhooch
Mar 24, 2024 at 12:23 AM ET
nkhooch
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03/24/24 12:23 AM ET
At the HS level, doing that
-- GCHokieof91
Mar 23, 2024 at 11:13 PM ET
GCHokieof91
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03/23/24 11:13 PM ET
With replay now able to check runners leaving early, seems an big risk
-- 133976Hokie
Mar 23, 2024 at 11:17 PM ET
133976Hokie
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03/23/24 11:17 PM ET
Because it's too early...
-- jesuisvtguy
Mar 23, 2024 at 10:47 PM ET
jesuisvtguy
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03/23/24 10:47 PM ET
So never steal a base except late in the game? What if Bre gets a hit?
-- vatechcowpatty
Mar 23, 2024 at 11:02 PM ET
vatechcowpatty
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03/23/24 11:02 PM ET
It's a fair point, but statistically it's probably a bad decision...
-- jesuisvtguy
Mar 23, 2024 at 11:23 PM ET
jesuisvtguy
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03/23/24 11:23 PM ET
Questions - Is Cam even known for her speed? Is she a base stealer?**
-- laphroaig
Mar 24, 2024 at 01:54 PM ET
laphroaig
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03/24/24 01:54 PM ET
Good question…**
-- WestEndHokie39
Mar 24, 2024 at 01:56 PM ET
WestEndHokie39
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03/24/24 01:56 PM ET
Baseball team has done that 3 or 4 times this year. Think it's worked every
-- Nortazhokie
Mar 23, 2024 at 10:24 PM ET
Nortazhokie
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03/23/24 10:24 PM ET
Who the base runners are and what they are capable of are important.**
-- laphroaig
Mar 24, 2024 at 01:56 PM ET
laphroaig
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03/24/24 01:56 PM ET
You do not run and possibly take the bat out of Bre's hands.
-- 1978vtlspe
Mar 23, 2024 at 10:08 PM ET
1978vtlspe
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03/23/24 10:08 PM ET