| Having players go to the plate and have quality | | | | when we consider the productiveness of an out: |
| at-bats and productive outs are the keys to | | | | 1. Did the batter drive a run in or score a run as a |
| offensive success in baseball. We do not like | | | | result of the out being made? |
| wasted outs. In youth baseball, you team is | | | | 2. Did the batter make an out to advance one of |
| allowed only to get 18 or 21 depending on your | | | | more runners into scoring position? |
| leagues rules. | | | | Coaching Point: The score, inning, and the player |
| The last thing we want to see as coaches is | | | | at bat can also have a reflection on whether we |
| "wasted" outs that achieve absolutely nothing for | | | | consider an out productive or not. |
| your team. We want every at-bat to be | | | | What we may consider a productive out in one |
| productive. However, the situation a batter is | | | | situation may not be considered a productive out |
| batting in always determines how we perceive an | | | | in another situation. For example, when you are |
| at-bat and the results at the plate. | | | | up by one run in the bottom of the second inning |
| I want to give insight in how youth coaches | | | | you are not really looking for a productive out |
| should evaluate an at-bat to be good or bad, | | | | when you have certain batters at the plate. |
| productive or nonproductive. | | | | When you have bases loaded and you have your |
| What is considered a productive at-bat? | | | | most productive power batter at the plate, the |
| Many times we as coaches consider productive if | | | | last thing you expect or want him to do is to hit |
| the batter accomplishes one or two things while | | | | a lazy fly ball to the left fielder to get a sacrifice |
| batting. Many times we are happy with the effort | | | | fly. You do not consider that a productive out. |
| of a batter if the batter does one of two things; | | | | You would consider a productive |
| 1) Batter gets a base hit. 2) Batter makes a | | | | On the other hand, if the score is tied in the 6th |
| productive out. | | | | inning, you would be very happy to have that |
| We may also consider another kind of at-bat | | | | same batter hit a fly ball to sac a run in, provided |
| productive if in the early innings and you are | | | | that you have confidence in your pitcher and |
| facing a overpowering pitcher. That at-bat is one | | | | defense to protect the lead and preserve the win. |
| in which your batter takes the count deep forcing | | | | If you are a little insecure about your pitching and |
| the pitchers pitch count to rise drastically. His | | | | defense, you want the batter to not get a |
| at-bat also allows your other batters to study and | | | | productive out, but to drive a triple into the left |
| see the pitcher's "stuff" at a crucial time in the | | | | center fielder gap to score two or more runs to |
| game. | | | | give you and your team a little more "breathing |
| What is considered a productive out? | | | | room" on defense. |
| A Productive Out in baseball is when a batter hits | | | | In any case, we must rely on kids to perform |
| a fly ball, a grounder or a bunt that advances a | | | | under pressure to give your team a chance to |
| runner. The out is considered most productive | | | | win. For more articles on this subject visit the or |
| when there are no outs or when the grounder or | | | | websites for baseball coaches. |
| fly ball scores a run with one out. | | | | Good luck to you and your team. Thanks for |
| There are several points we must remember | | | | reading this article. Have a great day, Nick. |