Running on Contact from Third, Less Than 2 outs

[Ted]

Hey people that are more baseball-y than me. (those that played and coach). This seems dumb. Like really stupid dumb. Maybe if it's late and you need 1 run. Maybe. But it just seems like almost any ball that you could score on is also likely to be a hit anyway, and you'd have time to wait to see if it is a hit. I mean, this really only helps on balls hit that the SS or 2B has to cover a bunch of ground to get to (so the IF defense has to be normal or back, too). Almost any other ground ball, and you're out at home, wasting a runner on third.

Am I looking at this wrong?

[Lane]

Not necessarily. You're right that on a GB to the corners, the pitcher, or any infielder, you're likely out.

However, it's a tough play to make. In amateur ball it probably makes sense to force the defense to make a play.

[Ted]

I just feel like all I ever see in the bigs are guys getting thrown out at home. The baseballs hit to longer throws just don't seem to be a high enough percentage to warrant the risk. (on the other hand, the team I primarily follow has the dumbest manager in the majors and some of the worst baserunnners ever, so maybe I'm just seeing a bad sample)

[usnspecialist]

I just feel like all I ever see in the bigs are guys getting thrown out at home. The baseballs hit to longer throws just don't seem to be a high enough percentage to warrant the risk. (on the other hand, the team I primarily follow has the dumbest manager in the majors and some of the worst baserunnners ever, so maybe I'm just seeing a bad sample)

matheny is pretty putrid, but there are plenty of bad ones out there.

[bschr682]

who was in the on deck circle?

[usnspecialist]

who was in the on deck circle?

no no, who was on 1st.

[Ted]

who was in the on deck circle?

I honestly don't remember this time, but I doubt it was taken into consideration. One time I saw Matheney hit and run with the catcher on first and the pitcher batting.