Why do base runners stare at the ball?

[dubbsco]

Just came to me watching Jeter lay down the bunt, and was just thrown out at first. Why do guys bunt, and then watch the ball for a good second or two when they are running? It seems to me that can really slow you down when you aren't totally focused on your destination. What is the difference with what happens around you in terms of getting the ball to the first basemen? You have one job, get to the bag... Never understood this, maybe smarter minds can help me here.

 

[jmakula87]

If the bunt is to get the guy over, then the most important thing is to get that bunt down, and keeping that extra focus for the split second after making contact probably makes a difference. ----I could be totally wrong, but that is just what I assumed.

Also a lot of times watching things on replay and such makes things much more noticeable.

 

[Mitchrapp]

I remember when I was little my little league coaches always told me just to run and not look at the ball. I can understand on hit that goes to the OF but a GB to 3rd, why are you looking at - get to the damn base.

 

[tonyballs]

Just came to me watching Jeter lay down the bunt, and was just thrown out at first. Why do guys bunt, and then watch the ball for a good second or two when they are running? It seems to me that can really slow you down when you aren't totally focused on your destination. What is the difference with what happens around you in terms of getting the ball to the first basemen? You have one job, get to the bag... Never understood this, maybe smarter minds can help me here.

Force of habit? You probably want to see where the ball is going and your head just automatically turns towards the ball. Idk...

 

[elrod817]

I was wondering the same thing watching Dirks lay down his bunt in the eighth. He still got the job done advancing the runners, but I think he would've been safe at first had he not stared at the ball as long as he did. But like j says the replay of Dirks probably made it seem like he was staring at it longer than he really was.

 

[byco42]

They don't bunt very much. Staring at the ball after contact with the bat will not influence where it lands or travels. "Look the ball into the bat," was the mantra.

 

[TheVictors]

College baseball is more fundamentally sound than MLB. Hell, those kids have to actually touch 2nd base to turn a double play!

 

[manchild98]

I remember when I was little my little league coaches always told me just to run and not look at the ball. I can understand on hit that goes to the OF but a GB to 3rd, why are you looking at - get to the damn base.

I also don't understand why ever single guy who steals 2nd base continues to stare at home while they are running. Every single guy does it. And I'm not talking about a quick peak to home plate...most run quite a ways staring at home before they just focus on running to 2nd.

 

[Mitchrapp]

I also don't understand why ever single guy who steals 2nd base continues to stare at home while they are running. Every single guy does it. And I'm not talking about a quick peak to home plate...most run quite a ways staring at home before the just focus on running to 2nd.

True. The hit and run scenario is fine but a straight steal run Forest run. At least until the ball is hit so you won't get doubled off.

Maybe they don't slow themselves down like we think they do. They always said sliding into first slows you down but that never stopped Chet Lemon from doing it.

 

[dubbsco]

Go for a run, and take a solid look in the other direction. I know for me, I slow down and lose my focus, and sometimes veer in that direction. When a guy is stealing, they have one job, just get to the damn base. Whatever the catcher does in terms of his throw doesn't matter. You will be able to tell when the 2nd basement is about to lay down the tag.

 

[coulomb]

I think the human factor they look at the catcher when base stealing. How many times is the ball going to be fouled off, was there a passed ball? Is there even going to be a throw? You can only go full boar so many times before your cashed. & these are baseball players, not wideouts or trackstars. Only have so much gas in the tank. Ya you probably should go balls out every attempt, but you have to account for the human factor.

 

[dubbsco]

Sorry man, I just can't agree with that. These guys are asked to run a few times a game. They are athletes in a professional setting. If they can't sprint once or twice in a baseball game, that's pretty pathetic.