Quote:
Originally Posted by Syd Thrift
A runner breaks on a hit and run slightly later than they do on a straight steal. Obviously it’s before the ball is put in play - that would just be a regular play - but it’s slightly later than on a regular steal. Also of course the runner breaks regardless of the pitch so on average they’re moving on a ball that’s being thrown faster than they probably would on a regular steal, which also increases their chances of being thrown out.
This isn’t anything new to the game or anything particularly unknown.
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*sigh* First off I apologize to anyone reading this thread, because I don't want to be petty here. But, if I'm going to be flat out told that I'm wrong, when I'm not wrong.... I do take a little issue with that.
The breaking late to confuse the defense thing is literally almost 100 years old. There was an article in S.I. or The Sporting News or something like that from like 1920 or something that referenced what you're saying and it was mocked to death in present day. That is why I jokingly said 'confusing the defense' might have held weight in 1904, but not today.
Getting a delayed jump serves no positive. It increases the runner's likelihood of being thrown out if the hitter can't make contact. And if the hitter makes weak contact, as is normally expected here, the defense has a better chance of turning a double play if the runner got a late jump. Obviously.
Here is Baseball Reference defining a Hit & Run. Noting the runner breaking to 2nd base "with the pitch", as I initially stated....
https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Hit-and-run
Here are diagrams of properly executed H&R with the hitter poking the ball through the gap in the defense, as I initially stated....
https://www.baseball-tutorials.com/s...-and-run/2382/
Here is Harold Reynolds & Billy Ripken explaining the H&R in video form. Note how they say the runner should already be 3 steps toward 2nd base when the ball crosses the plate. Their point being on that 3rd step the runner should glance home to make sure the hitter didnt hit the ball in the air. You aren't 3 steps deep when the ball crosses the plate if you're intentionally delaying your jump.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGTFSq7A5UA
Here is a video of Dan Blewett analyzing pros/cons of H&R. Specifically saying the runner is stealing on the pitch and again the hitter is trying to shoot the ball thru the gap, as I initially stated
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_J4rbdbTH0
And again, I'm sorry for being petty here. Just don't like being called out for being wrong when I'm not wrong lol, only to have the person who called me out be the wrong one
