On Deck Batter Responsibilities
Stupid Little League Rule
One of the stupidest Little League rules is the one that does not allow an on deck batter. Batters on deck gain so much insight into the pitcher and the come to the plate much more prepared to hit. That is the obvious downside of this rule, a more subtle one is the on deck batter’s responsibilities to the runners.
On Deck Batter’s Responsibilities
What you ask? The on deck batter is supposed to help the runners? Yes, this subtle and often overlooked skill can save you a few runs over the length of a season. The on deck batter must help the runner coming home and alert them to:
1. Slide
2. Stand Up
3. Which side of the plate to slide on
This is done very simply. Let’s assume there is a runner on second base, the batter hits a single and there is an inevitable play coming on the the runner at home. The on deck batter should line up beyond home plate, but out of the path of play. Basically, continue the third base line through the batter’s box, over the plate, and into the space where a runner would run if he overran home plate. That is where the on deck batter should position himself.
How to Communicate
This position gives the runner the best opportunity to see him without and additional effort. We do, after all, want the runner going full speed, there is a play being made on him. The runner approaches third, picks up the third base coach and gets the go signal. At this point he rounds third base and heads for home. About halfway home he should pick up the on deck batter. The on deck batter should signal to the runner what to do in the following manner:
Stand Up-The on deck batter should stand tall and hold their arms up in the air while yelling "your up, up, up, up, up"
Slide Left (inside the plate)-The on deck batter should bend down and swipe his hands in the direction right of the line or inside the plate shouting "get down, get down, get down"
Slide Right (outside the plate)-The on deck batter should bend down and swipe his hands in the direction left of the line or inside the plate shouting "get down, get down, get down"
The swipe should be a big two handed wave similar to a "swoosh" or big loco wave motion. How does the on deck batter decide which way to tell the runner to slide? He has to watch the play develop and watch where the throw is going to end up.
How to Decide
If the catcher is moving towards the pitchers mound or "leaning in" to the field of play, he tells the runner to slide outside. If the catcher has to go up the line a bit or has to go into foul territory to make the play the runner should slide inside. If the throw is on the money and the catcher is in perfect blocking position, then the runner is probably going to be out, but since the catcher usually reaches towards the inside of the diamond to catch the ball then reaches back to make the tag, the default location to slide is outside.
So how do we accomplish this in Little League? Well, the first runner is on their own, but if they score standing up, they should turn around and assist any trailing runners.
This often overlooked fundamental of the game will help you pick up a few runs during the season. Don’t neglect it in the older divisions, and make sure to use it for trailing runners in the younger divisions.
Do you have another overlooked fundamental you like to focus on?
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Championships Or Leadership?
Image by rmcgervey via FlickrA Noble Effort?
Tonight I witnessed the president of a league argue with a district administrator to get one of the leagues player’s ejection overturned because he would miss the championship game. While this may seem a noble effort on the surface, what does it actually teach the kid? And what kind of leadership is being displayed?
The Circumstances
The player was ejected because he lowered his shoulder and plowed over the catcher when a play was being made on him at home. Little League rules specifically state that you must slide or attempt to avoid contact when a play is being made on you. He chose to initiate contact and was ejected. This ejection would have taken place at just about every level of ball except the major leagues .
To further support the validity of the ejection, there was not a peep of an argument from the player’s manager, coaches, teammates, or spectators. It was truly a "no-brainer" ejection.
Winning or Life Lessons?
With all of this knowledge, the fact that the president of the league in question could argue at all means that more emphasis was being placed on winning the championship in the next game, than enforcing rules, respecting authority, and teaching good sportsmanship. Regardless of the words he was speaking, the results of his actions were saying, "it’s more important to win a championship than assure that the catcher is not injured". Is this what we are supposed to be teaching as officials of the leagues?
A Better Response
A better response would have been to take the attitude of "hey this stinks, but our player made a mistake, he must pay for it, and now each of us has to step up our game a notch to make sure we get to play tomorrow". I was an umpire in a game a couple years back where a senior player was out at first. He took off his helmet and threw it down slamming it into the ground. Again, an automatic ejection. The president of that league was there that time also and I heard him in the stands saying "he had no choice, that’s an automatic ejection, they warn them at the plate conference". That’s how a president should conduct himself. His actions probably averted confrontation from the parents because they were very upset with the ejection.
The team in question this time is coming out of the loser’s bracket, they must win twice before the other team wins once. This means that if they pull off a victory in the first game w/o their player, he will be fresh for the second game. The officials of the league should have this positive attitude about the situation.
A Suggestion
I hope the manager and coaches will have that attitude going into the game on Monday. If they whine and complain, this will be reflected on the bench and the players will give up before the game even starts. Encouraging each kid to step up and play even better than they were before will teach the kids that no matter what challenges they face, they can overcome them.
What is the worst offense you have ever seen an official commit?
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