What is the proper approach when taking a lead off 2nd base? I like taking a simple approach. Take the largest lead where you know you can get back to the bag safely if the pitcher throws over. Usually, this is two steps and a dive. Too many young ballplayers are overly concerned about where [...]
Posts Tagged ‘Andy Katz’
Bouncing Leads At 2nd Base
Posted in baserunning, tagged 2nd base leads, Andy Katz, baserunning, bouncing, secondary lead on March 14, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Pickoff Play Accuracy
Posted in defense, tagged Andy Katz, Bill Ripken, pick offs on February 20, 2010 | 2 Comments »
Today, I attended the Cal Ripken Baseball Coaches Clinic with 300 Massachusetts coaches. The program was very well run, entertaining, and reaffirmed some beliefs I hold in regards to baseball fundamentals. Many topics were covered, but I’d like to discuss pick-off plays in this post. Many pitchers and catchers will attempt to throw the ball [...]
Pick Me Out A Winner, Bobby
Posted in equipment, tagged Andy Katz, Roy Hobbs, The Natural, wood bats on December 15, 2009 | 2 Comments »
Growing up playing with aluminum bats, bat selection rarely entered my mind. I would survey the bats provided by the team at the start of the season, swing the select few that were in the proper size/weight category, and pick one that felt best. That would be my bat for the season. Now, I play [...]
What is a Check Swing?
Posted in think about it, tagged Andy Katz, check swing, rules, umpires on August 28, 2009 | 6 Comments »
Did he go? The answer is simple. “No he did not” OR “Yes he did.” Never was there such a simple answer for such a complicated situation. For such a difficult call, we players don’t have much sympathy for the umpire in this situation. The call is usually followed by remarks like, “You’ve got to [...]
Who’s Calling The Pitches?
Posted in catching, strategy, tagged Andy Katz, Boston College, quarterback wrist coach, Tony Sanchez on July 22, 2009 | 15 Comments »
I have noticed a trend of coaches relaying pitch signals to catchers. I’ve seen it at many high school games. And, I’ve seen it at almost all college games I’ve attended. While watching a Boston College game this season, I noticed BC catcher Tony Sanchez wearing something on his forearm resembling a quarterback wrist coach. [...]
Score Runs With The Contact Play
Posted in baserunning, strategy, tagged Andy Katz, contact play on July 17, 2009 | 3 Comments »
You are the runner on 3rd base. The infield is drawn in. How do you give yourself the best chance to score? You will score on a hit, a sacrifice, and possibly on a passed ball/wild pitch. Another way to score that run is by breaking for home once you see the ball hit on [...]
When To Give The Green Light
Posted in hitting, strategy, tagged Andy Katz, Brandon Phillips, Dusty Baker, green light, plate approach on June 17, 2009 | 13 Comments »
After the Reds-Royals game, Brandon Phillips was disciplined by Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker for ignoring a take sign on a 3-0 count. Phillips popped up to end the inning. Baker claimed it’s the first and last time it will ever happen to him as a manager. Phillips claimed he was trying to break his [...]
Touch ‘Em All
Posted in baserunning, tagged Andy Katz, New York Mets, Ryan Church on May 20, 2009 | 2 Comments »
In Monday’s Mets-Dodgers game in Los Angeles, Ryan Church made a baserunning gaffe that Mets manager Jerry Manuel could not comprehend. Church’s 11th inning run was erased when he missed 3rd base and the Dodgers correctly appealed the play. After the game, Manuel remarked, “It’s hard to miss third base. I don’t know if I [...]
Sacrifice Bunting With A Big Lead?
Posted in strategy, tagged Andy Katz, Boston College, bunting, Clemson, sacrifices on March 27, 2009 | 3 Comments »
It is rare that you see a team sacrificing with an 8-run lead, but that is exactly what the Boston College Eagles did on Friday in their game against Clemson (ranked #20 in the country). In fact, they attempted to do it on two occasions. In the bottom of the 4th up 8-0, DH Matt [...]
1st base footwork
Posted in defense, tagged 1st base, Andy Katz, footwork, technique on March 17, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Many baseball observers underestimate the value of having a 1st baseman who has sound footwork and technique around the bag. It is not always obvious because bad footwork doesn’t necessarily translate into errors. More often, it will result in limited range. In today’s post, I will focus on one fundamental that is extremely important for a [...]
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