GREAT LEADS

Make things happen!
Defense always feels the pressure
when baserunners take great leads

Stacie Mahoe

Excerpts from Stacie Mahoe's blog. She writes... 

“Good baserunners … make things tough for the opposing defense and add pressure to otherwise 'routine' situations and plays.

“All this distraction on the bases often takes focus off the batter. It can also open up holes for batters to hit through...

“And all of it starts with a great lead...

WESLEY WOLVERINES ON THE BASE PATHS. Top, junior 
#2 OF Sarah Saunders (Wayne, NJ) and junior #22 C/UT 
Morgan Seymour (Smyrna, DE). Bottom, sophomore 
#42 1B/OF Devin Mackay (Bangor, PA) and sophomore 
#18 C/3B Nina Marcano (Middletown, DE).

“Explode off the base as if you’re going to steal... disguises actual steal attempts, it gives the defense one more thing to worry about... Pressure is on the pitcher not to throw any wild pitches... (a) great jump start you get if the batter actually hits the ball...

“Make sure you can get back to the bag with just 'a step and a dive' … ONE step and a dive away from the base...

“Don’t be late, get a good jump... main thing is GOING on time!...

“Look for the hit, wild pitch, or passed ball... take a peek in toward the plate. If the ball looks like it’s heading toward the dirt, either on the way to the plate or after your teammate hits it, GO!”

CLICK HERE for the full story at the Stacie Mahoe blog.