Aren't We Playing Tag? ...what kids are really thinking

Runner at First Base

“Nah, nah, you can’t get me!” This is the challenge the base runner at first base offers to the pitcher as he returns to the mound at the end of the latest play between two teams of 10 year olds.  The base runner moves a bit further off the base, far enough for the pitcher to think, “I could throw the ball to the base and we might be able to tag ‘em out!”

The base runner increases the temptation by doing a little back and forth dance.  The pitcher first retaliates with a series of pump fakes in an attempt to scare the runner back.  The kids are no longer playing baseball, it has evolved into a game of the base runner baiting the pitcher into risking a throw to get him out.  It’s become a game of tag within the context of a baseball game.

A few moments later the base runner is at third, having succeeded in tempting the pitcher to make an ill-advised throw that, Surprise!, got past the first baseman.

Runner Between Bases

A base runner finds herself between bases when a defender has the ball in their hands.  She may have arrived there as a result of a base running error or she may be aggressively attempting to get an extra base, instinctively knowing that if she can force a defensive player to throw the ball there is a good chance a mistake will be made. 

The base runner is saying “Ha, ha, you can’t catch me!”  The response of the defensive player is, “Oh, yes I can. You just watch!”  However, the defensive player hesitates just long enough that her throw arrives at the base the same time as the base runner.  The ball gets away from her teammate allowing the base runner to advance to the next base.  It is not a stretch to imagine that the throw to the next base the runner is advancing to, arrives late, is misplayed, and the base runner to go on to score.

Mindset

Let’s step inside the mind of a child and look at these two scenarios from their perspective.  They know they are playing baseball or softball, but in these particular moments they view the situation, consciously or subconsciously, as another variation of the schoolyard game of tag.  Playing tag is a big part of a kid’s life and few other activities invoke their competitive juices or produce more giggles and great fun for kids.

Also, we must understand that a kid’s world is very much focused on the here and now.  Each moment in their young life is very significant.  When looking at these situations from their perspective it becomes easier to understand the importance of them getting that out.  They are less able to rationalize the risk-reward of the situation as an adult would.  Therefore they are inclined to try and get that runner tagged out now, rather than looking ahead to the next batter and a new and safer opportunity to record an out.

Teaching

The first step in our effort is to help them view the situation in the broader context of the game.  This begins with pointing out to them that “The runner is going to be safe A LOT” over the course of a game.  Ask them how many runs are scored in a typical game?  Next ask them how many times runners have to be safe in order for that many runs to be scored?  The final question to ask is “How many times is a ball thrown past a base each game?”  

The answers they give are irrelevant.  We know in advance the numbers they give will be fairly large.  The key to this exercise is they verbalize the common reality that runners are safe quite often, many of them come around to score …and a fair number advance around the bases and score, in part, as a result of overzealous efforts on the part of the defense.  They get caught up in the mindset of playing tag at this moment instead of softball or baseball.

How the Game Works

The basic objective of the game, when an out cannot be recorded, is to stop the runner(s).  If we cannot get the runner out in a given situation, the next best alternative is to stop the runner from advancing to the next base.  This is usually accomplished by throwing the ball to the base ahead of the runner, but can also be accomplished by running the ball to a point in the baseline ahead of the runner.

The next objective is to securely get the ball to the middle of the infield and in the pitchers hands.  When the ball is located inside the infield diamond it is a threat to a runner standing on any base.  When the pitcher has the ball, they have control of the game and can choose to move the game along by stepping on the pitching rubber and looking ahead to the next batter.

Our challenge as coaches is to make pitching to the next batter the mindset of our players, instead of engaging in a game of chicken with a runner at a base who is baiting them to attempt a reckless throw. A key perspective to teach our kids that once the runners have stopped at a base, our job on defense has been completed.  …Now it is time to get to work on the next batter.

One of the greatest challenges of working with young kids is trying to see things from their perspective.  (This is also one of the great joys, because, in these moments, we get to be kids again.)   Before we can successfully teach them we need to start the conversation from their perspective, then guide them to make better decisions based on how baseball or softball are played.