“If you do not expect the unexpected you will not find it, for it is not to be reached by search or trail.”
– Heraclitus (Greek Philosopher, late 6th century BC)
[Today’s post is a short follow-up to one from a couple weeks ago entitled “Baseball Is Not A Spectator Sport (For The Players)”. Although not absolutely necessary, if you haven’t already read the previous one, you might want to do so before diving in here.]
There are many things in baseball that defenders see on a regular basis that they must be ready for – ground balls, line drives, fly balls. These things are routine and expected. No shortstop ever simply watches a ground ball go by his feet. No outfielder ever simply watches a “can of corn” drop at his feet. They are not indifferent to the situation. Fielders don’t watch such plays.
Other things in baseball that defenders see on a regular basis include hit and runs, stolen bases, bunts, and more. Although a little less frequent than an average ground ball or fly ball, defenders see such things on a relatively regular basis and typically react in due course accordingly. Infielders move to take throws from a catcher on steals. Third basemen, pitchers, and catchers move to field bunts when appropriate. They are not indifferent to the situation. Fielders don’t watch such plays.
But know there are consequences for not reacting in due course accordingly. A pitcher that doesn’t cover first when the first baseman fields a ball risks giving up an infield hit. A shortstop or second baseman that doesn’t cover second on a steal is conceding an extra base for the runner. Outfielders that don’t back up throws to various bases run the risk of allowing runners to advance on errant throws and in some cases score. A fielder cannot be indifferent. A fielder cannot simply watch.
If you’re pitching and a ball is hit to your left, your first reaction should be to cover first. Your assistance might not be necessary, for the first baseman may make the play on his own. But your first instinct must be to cover the bag. If you hesitate, if you’re slow to react, if you watch the play unfold, if you’re indifferent for whatever reason, it might be too late.
A pitcher that throws a pitch in the dirt that gets by his catcher with a runner on third, cannot hesitate to cover home. He cannot afford to watch the play. He cannot afford to be indifferent to what is unfolding. For the runner on third will score.
Being a spectator on the field has consequences.
Have you ever heard of an infield hit that turns into a triple? Infield hits (those slow grounders to the hole or high choppers off the infield turf that a speedy batter legs out), typically result in singles. Not doubles. And certainly not triples. Know that I’m not talking about a batter that hits a grounder to the shortstop or third baseman who ultimately ends up on third because of an errant throw or other error. No, I’m talking about a triple (or what might be called the practical equivalent of a triple).
How might such a hit be possible?
It happens when defenders stop paying attention, become indifferent, or otherwise simply become spectators on the field.
In August 2011, Brendan Ryan of the Mariners basically hit an infield triple because he was alert and the Oakland A’s (pretty much the entire team) was not. Check it out.
Note, this particular hit was actually scored a single. And Brendan Ryan was not credited with any stolen bases. The official play-by-play box score for the bottom of the first inning on August 2, 2011 in the game between the Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics reads “B. Ryan singled, B. Ryan to third on fielder’s indifference”.
The A’s lost the game.
Being a spectator on the field has consequences.
Elevate Your Baseball Game 
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