| While managing or coaching in youth baseball for | | | | that could only lead to errors, which could force |
| the last 18 years, I have found that teaching 11 | | | | the opposing baserunners into scoring |
| and 12 year olds how to back each other up in | | | | opportunities. |
| the field can help keep them in the game on | | | | There are literally dozens of back up situations in |
| almost every play. Of course I learned the | | | | youth baseball, but I will go over five. The first |
| importance of backing up the hard way over the | | | | one we practice is a bunt when no man is on |
| years, when sure groundouts would translate into | | | | base. I teach the right fielder to begin to move in |
| a single and three base error. Or, as my older | | | | to back up the first baseman. The right fielder |
| brother Howie would call it, a "Little League Home | | | | should run to the foul line first then come up the |
| Run". All youth baseball coaches know what a | | | | line. The right fielder should not end up too close |
| "Little League Home Run", is right? You know, | | | | to the first baseman because if he does an |
| when the shortstop or third baseman overthrows | | | | overthrow will go past him also. |
| the ball to first base, followed by yet another | | | | The second situation we practice occurs when |
| overthrow to second or third, allowing the batter | | | | there is a man on second base. The left fielder |
| to run all the way around the bases to the tune | | | | should back up the third baseman on a steal. |
| of cheering parents, which builds to a crescendo | | | | Again, the left fielder goes to the foul line first |
| as the batter touches home plate. What can | | | | then proceeds up the line, but does not come up |
| easily be described as one of the most exciting | | | | too close to the third baseman. Remember, a |
| plays for the offense can also be one of the | | | | good short stop will also back up the throw. |
| most frustrating things for the opposing coach to | | | | The third back up situation is with a man on first |
| deal with. With some practices before and during | | | | and a ball hit to the left side of the infield. The |
| the season reviewing defensive situations, a team | | | | second baseman will cover second base for the |
| can learn when and where to back up certain | | | | force out. We also teach the right fielder to back |
| plays. Remember, these situations must be | | | | up the throw to prevent the baserunner from |
| practiced until they become second nature to the | | | | taking extra bases on an overthrow. The right |
| players, and during the game, when the situation | | | | fielder will end up in short right center field when |
| comes up, the manager or coach can yell out | | | | backing up. |
| instructions to remind players of their | | | | The fourth situation is the same as the previous |
| responsibility. | | | | one, except there is a man on first base and the |
| By backing each other up, we are accomplishing a | | | | ball is hit to the right side of the infield. In this |
| number of things. First, outfielders backing up | | | | situation, the shortstop covers second for the |
| infielders helps keep them in the game instead of | | | | force. The left fielder will run in the direct line of |
| being hidden somewhere in the outfield | | | | the throw from the second baseman or first |
| daydreaming or swatting flies. Second, backing up | | | | baseman, follow the ball, and back up the throw. |
| helps teach young players the game of baseball. | | | | He will end up in short left center field. |
| The third reason to practice backing up is the | | | | The fifth situation is a little tricky. There is a |
| most obvious: to keep the opposition from | | | | baserunner on first and the batter bunts. If the |
| moving up. In my experiences coaching, I have | | | | baserunner at first is fast and the third baseman |
| found that the best two skills to practice in youth | | | | fields the bunt deep toward home, third base |
| baseball are backing up and baserunning. | | | | might be left open for the runner on first to go all |
| Any of us who have managed youth baseball | | | | the way to third. This happens because the |
| knows that the team that throws the ball around | | | | shortstop will cover second and the second |
| in the field the least will play an important part in | | | | baseman rotates to first. What we teach is when |
| keeping the game competitive. The first thing I | | | | there is a man on first and the batter bunts, the |
| always like to teach my defense on a base hit is | | | | leftfielder comes all the way to the infield to |
| for the outfielders to throw the ball back into the | | | | cover third base. |
| infield by hitting the cutoff, either shortstop or | | | | As any baseball fan knows, backing up a |
| second baseman. Late in the game, or in a close | | | | defensive play is all part of the game. In youth |
| game, however, I like to teach my outfielders to | | | | baseball, the importance of backing up is magnified |
| run the ball in, if the runners aren't advancing | | | | in importance. Coaches need to practice different |
| extra bases, to prevent possible throwing errors. | | | | situations. Not all at once, but maybe go through 2 |
| We have all seen situations where the outfielder | | | | or 3 at each practice, and by the end of the |
| tries to throw out the runner at first base from | | | | season, the team will be exposed to many of the |
| the outfield, which I emphatically try to discourage. | | | | back up situations that occur during a game of |
| Outfielders should also never throw the ball back | | | | youth baseball. |
| directly to the pitcher. It is an unnecessary throw | | | | |