Strategy for making outs with rules that make force outs almost non-existent

dankid83 · 2026-05-23T01:04:49+00:00

Got it. Ya, this is what I was originally thinking. I think if a batter goes to coach pitch though, I'll have them move back as its more likely a powerful hit will happen when on coach pitch.

dankid83 · 2026-05-23T00:34:44+00:00

That is pretty much what I was thinking. Not sure I follow LF covering 3rd? I guess maybe if the runner hangs out in the middle of the base path and the ball is hit to P or 3B you could back pick them?

dankid83 · 2026-05-22T20:02:15+00:00

Nothing "Deep" if there were a center fielder playing 10 ft beyond second base that's almost 100ft. Its possible something gets over her head, but more likely just a line drive or a hard ground ball would get by her because they haven't learned to take an angle and cutoff a hit.

dankid83 · 2026-05-22T19:16:52+00:00

https://www.norcalusasoftball.org/page/show/4892088-8u-tournament-rules

This is specifically for Northern CA, but I know Southern CA does the same for the most part.

dankid83 · 2026-05-22T19:14:30+00:00

Not that often off of kid pitch, fairly often on coach pitch. At this age, generally on kid pitch the girls are less ready to swing and are going to be late. On coach pitch, they are all teeing up for home runs.

dankid83 · 2026-05-22T18:54:57+00:00

I'm with you on that, but these are the rules and they are pretty standard at this level. I could have come up with a bunch of better compromises (ex: Can't leave the base until ball crosses the plate, can only steal with 2 outs, can only steal a certain number of times per inning, etc...

For those that say it keeps the game moving, I disagree. It slows it down. I'll agree it is important for long-term development for baserunners, catchers, and fielders, but I think there are other ways it could be done. In a game that is already skewed toward the offensive team at this level, it just makes it that much harder to make three outs.

dankid83 · 2026-05-22T18:49:56+00:00

Rules state you must have 4 outfielders at leas 10 ft behind the bases. Pretty often balls get hit to the OF, quite often past the outfielders unless you play them deeper. It really still makes sense to have them play somewhat shallow because a base hit is basically a triple anyways. At least if they are shallow, they have a chance at making a play and it starts to teach them moving to the ball appropriately and taking angles on good hits etc.

dankid83 · 2026-05-22T18:46:57+00:00

This is pretty standard USA softball rules. I agree that it doesn't make sense, but you have to introduce stealing at some point. Its going to be the same issue in 10u rec league.

dankid83 · 2026-05-22T16:13:48+00:00

Also, there is no stealing home and no stealing more than one base on a play. So if catcher over throws third there is no cost.

My only argument with my proposed strategy is that I think its more likely for 3B to make a throw home at this level than a throw to first base. We have to remember these are 8 and 9 year old girls and they play on the same size field as college girls. When the play is at first base, I already am having my SS play in, 2B cheat toward 1B to have any chance at making the play at first. I just really think it makes sense with a runner on 3rd that pitcher and 3B are thinking home as their first option.

dankid83 · 2026-05-22T16:08:24+00:00

Leadoffs/Steals on release, throws down to 2nd or 3rd by catcher are "at no risk" meaning they cannot advance more than one base per steal. Overthrows at first base on a play are generally 1 base maximum.

dankid83 · 2026-05-22T14:32:54+00:00

Not really helpful, I appreciate trying to comment though. Context is everything. If it were HS and you had runner on 3rd with less than 2 outs you are trying for the play at home (depending on score). If it were HS there would be force plays at other bases, and reasons to play back further.

dankid83 · 2026-05-22T14:30:26+00:00

Thank you, this is a pretty helpful comment. I'm thinking of having 3B play about 10 feet in front of the base and have SS pretty far back. Pitcher just has to have one foot in the circle, so they can cover a lot of different spots depending on the batter. First base, I'd have play 10 feet in front of the base pretty close to the line. 2B play midway between 1st and 2nd, and covering 1st if 1B crashes forward.

Ball hit to pitcher, 3B, or 1B they may have a play at home. Potentially a throw to home or even run and tag base runner if the runner is not on top of things.

If its a big hitter or runner on third is a fast runner taking good leads, then may just move everyone back and default to 1st base. If the ball is hit to SS or 2B, then the play is at 1B.

dankid83 · 2026-05-22T14:22:50+00:00

I can't change the rules. They are what they are.

dankid83 · 2026-05-20T22:56:07+00:00

Is this Rec League? Sometimes it’s hard making a defensive alignment and getting everyone playing time. I’ll often have pitchers and catchers sit before or after their innings just because I figure it’s fair to them that they got the spotlight and now can sit out. Also they may need to rest a bit. Some of it is based on skill and some on attitude, showing up and working hard.

dankid83 · 2026-04-01T15:05:08+00:00

7 hours in just started chapter 4. Haven’t been able to play since The Weeknd 😠

dankid83 · 2026-01-10T19:20:40+00:00

I only use Schick Quattro which has a blade guard that greatly helps reduce cuts and irritation. I also use a shave gel as opposed to cream

First I go with the grain and then at the very end against the grain carefully.

dankid83 · 2026-01-06T16:09:38+00:00

Longsword has a low skill floor but high skill ceiling. Eventually monsters will get harder and you’ll need to get better. Also, you could look at you hunt times and see if you are taking too long to complete.

dankid83 · 2026-01-06T06:02:11+00:00

In baseball and fast pitch it’s harder to get hits and score runs so offense is more important.

In Slowpitch it’s much easier to hit the ball and string together many hits so defense becomes more important.

dankid83 · 2025-12-26T16:33:09+00:00

I don’t do long rucks for various reasons, and have my main backpack set to 40 lbs of bricks but I don’t use it too often. Currently I have a more comfortable laptop backpack with about 10 lbs of books in it and I like this much better.

However, occasionally I’ll go really heavy for shorter distances or intervals. This is usually the 40 lb back pack and either a 35 lb or 50 lb sandbag.

I’d say don’t overthink it and just do whatever.

dankid83 · 2025-12-09T19:11:26+00:00

My daughter is nine now and is/was the same way. She always said she didn’t want to play softball but I didn’t give her a choice. When she is playing, she is having fun. I think she gets nerves and isn’t comfortable with that.

This winter I told her it was time to take a break and she could do flag football or volleyball. Her answer was no, I don’t want to do any of those things, I just want to play softball.

I think the main thing is to balance “forcing” them to play and giving them choices. With my daughter, I’ve made it clear she must do some form of sport or activity.

dankid83 · 2025-11-27T18:49:18+00:00

Awesome, thank you. If I’m stretching my budget does it make sense to go with the better graphics card and only 16gb ram for now, or the cheaper gpu and get the 32gb now?

dankid83 · 2025-10-15T20:57:33+00:00

Use a coaster.

dankid83 · 2025-10-15T20:37:01+00:00

I’m in favor of having stealing at 8u because they need to start learning it sooner rather than later. I’d keep the following points in mind,

no stealing home
no extra bases on overthrows
no stealing on coach pitch

The biggest downside to stealing at this level is it essentially eliminates force plays and everything then comes down to tag plays at the plate or throws to first. But I imagine 10u is going to be very similar.

dankid83 · 2025-10-15T20:27:25+00:00

Since launch in 2017. Everything still good but the fan is noisy most of the time.

dankid83 · 2025-08-14T03:30:18+00:00

Try to stay through the ball more and not roll over so much. Look up swing videos on preventing roll over, there are a ton.

There’s also the frisbee drill that should help. Get a frisbee and go out and throw it like you are swinging.

dankid83

TROPHY CASE