Article 15
Dr. House slayer
- Jul 4, 2008
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- #21
A wringle in the scenario is the runner 'walking'; the catcher might run directly at the runner walking which requires the pitcher to cover home, with no back up. A risky option.
Agreed.
I was chatting about this last night with the guys at the office and given the players involved I truly think that damn near whenever those two are on the corners the guy on first could just walk to second without drawing a throw.
Now if Tito were only arrogant enough to give such an order ....
With a right handed first baseman it might be feasible for the catcher to throw to #3 and have him chase the runner to second, forcing the runner at third to make a play.
The offensive strategy - having the runner walk off first base - may work at lower levels of baseball (forced balk effort) but I can't see it in college or professional ball.
Naturally you cannot get away with a such a move without the "elite of the elite" speed that Crawford and Ellsbury possess. Plus, Tito wouldn't let it happen because you can pretty much bet the farm that whoever is doing the walking to second will be dodging fastballs their next at bat. But I think they could do it.