Ok, here's the scenario. Bottom of the 4th (in a 7 inning softball game), the home team is up, ahead 9 - 1. There are two outs, with runners on 1st and 3rd. A ground ball is hit towards the 3rd baseman. Does the runner from third break for home on contact or wait for the 3rd baseman to attempt the force out at 2nd or 1st before breaking for him?

 

Break on contact


(I have no idea what is correct but I'd be running, then again I'm an IT guy)

I'd be happy just to be on 3rd

 

with 2 outs.....runners should be running on contact.

 

depends, is the team with runners on base ahead or not. If they are, then just break for the plate, if not try and make the fielder make a bad decision

 

I absolutely think the runner on 3rd should hold, especially if he is likely to get gunned down at the plate.

Down by 8 runs, his run does not mean much, but getting thrown out at the plate kills a potentially big inning.

Make the 3rd basemen make a great throw across the field to get the runner at first. If he throws it away, you score easily and have two more runners in scoring position.

 

Steve, I think it's lousy that those bums would make such a big deal out of your baserunning mistake when really they were just mad at getting pummeled 9-1.

 

Depends on how large the runner on thirds lead is, can you lead off (?), and it depends on were the ball was hit towards third and where the third baseman is playing.

If the third baseman fielded the ball and was closer to the bag than the runner, the runner should go for home, or get in a run down.

If the ball was hit directly to the third baseman and the runner was closer to the bag, the runner should go back.

If the ball was hit in the hole the runner should automatically go for home.

 

Some leagues around here don't allow a runner to lead off until the ball crosses the front plane of home plate.

 

Thanks. I really have don't have a clue about rec. softball rules, or whatever its called.

Once I get old enough I'm going to be all over that tho.

 

There is no leading off in slow pitch softball.

We know it was slow pitch because our webmaster was on third base.

 

The home team always bats last so they couldn't be up in the 'top' of the 4th.

 

Break on contact. Make the 3rd baseman make a mistake. The throw to first is almost a sure thing. By breaking on contact it may slow him enough that the throw does not make it on time or he may make a really dumb mistake and throw to home. With that there is a much better chance of an error.

 

My bad...meant BOTTOM of the inning. Home team is batting and has a 9-1 lead. That's what I get for posting right before bedtime.

 

I would still say break on contact. If I remember correctly, in softball, if you are ahead by a certain number of points at the end of the 4th, game over. You do not play the last 3 innings. Can remember the number of points though.

 

The base-runner on third should always hold when a ground ball is hit to the third baseman forcing the throw to second or first. UNLESS the ground ball is hit very softly as to which the runner can beat it out (harder than a bunt softer than a line drive that kind of hit). Anybody that plays ball knows that the third baseman usually always has the best arm and aim on the infield.