Each coach and team should develop its own strategies based on the abilities and

interests of the team members. In general, playing aggressive baseball and softball

wins more games than it loses at this level, but it must be done with care to avoid

insulting or embarrassing the players of an inferior opponent. Some tips that work

well are

Pee Wee

Steal a lot of bases. One good time to start to the next base is as soon as the

catcher touches the ball. A good time to try a delayed steal is just as the catcher is

throwing the ball to the pitcher (this usually works once a game). Another good way

to pick up a base in Pee Wee is to advance to second on a walk. Often when ball

four gets away from the catcher, the catcher is in no hurry to retrieve the ball, and the

extra base can be easily attained.

Note that there is no penalty for making a throw to third to get a runner trying to steal.

Even if the ball gets away, the runner is not allowed to score.

Cub 1

Since the drop third strike rule is in effect for the first time, male sure your players are

ready to exploit the situation. Also players can steal home. Any time there is a first

and third situation a double steal is a good call. Make sure the runner on third lets

the throw from the catcher go past the pitcher before breaking towards the plate. If

there are two outs and you really need the run, have the runner on first stop about half

way to second and get caught in a run down to give the runner on third time to score.

Practice some defensive plays to stop the double steal. A couple of techniques are

to have the catcher throw to the pitcher, fake a throw to second, throw to third, or have

the short stop cut in front of second with the intent of throwing immediately back

towards home. The fake throw is the safest, the throw to the pitcher is often the most

effective at picking the runner off third.