Tuesday tip: Using the Optional base coaching rules

This year, the best hitter on my Thunderchickens team is Vladimir Guerrero Jr. So far, he’s hitting .363 in 39 games. But APBA has rated him as a (S) baserunner. I’m certainly not debating that but it’s difficult when your most offensive player has to take a base at a time. Ironically, Vladimir is leading my team in run scored. But I still have to base coach him on occasion.

The APBA baseball booklet refer to this as the ‘Optional Base Coaching’ rules but honestly I haven’t played any other way. It just seems more realistic.

What is Optional Base Coaching?

Optional base coaching can be used with the basic game for realistic and beneficial results. It works like this. If you have a slow ‘(S)’ runner on base who has a chance to be out on the basepath either by:

• – attempting an extra base on a hit
• – getting caught stealing
• – or getting tagged out when advancing on a fly ball

you have the option to hold the runner or ‘play it safe’. Doing that means he takes as many bases as the hit and does not attempt a steal or advancement of a fly ball even if the APBA charts gives the runner an extra base. So choose carefully.

Holding a runner does not prevent him from getting picked off.

When does it come in play?

So assuming you are using the base coaching rules, what should you look out for? Are there situations in which you should always hold the runner? Are there times you can take a chance?

Well, yes and no. It all depends on the situation. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Runner on First

Generally speaking, you are relatively safe with a slow runner on first. The only concerns are if the batter has a 23 or 39 on his card. Playing it safe will prevent the runner from getting caught stealing. In the case of the 23, he also won’t be ejected. That said, the player result number 39 is never a good result in most base situations and most likely a failed steal attempt.

With a 3, the runner is out at home. It’s a pretty rare number but in case you have a unicorn player with one, keep it mind.

Runner on Second

A slow runner on second is problematic. He will be out at home on singles with both an 8 or an 9. To complicate matters, the runner is out at home on an 11 with less than two outs unless he is fast.

If you’re facing an A pitcher, your decision might be made for you since both an 8 and a 9 are outs anyway. You just need to stay away from the 39 which is still a caught steal.

In the comments, Steve Stein brought up the heinous 16 with a runner on second. That’s a hit but any runner is out at home (batter to second on the throw). It’s only one number that occurs on certain batters’ cards but when it happens, it is frustrating. Again, it depends on the grade of the pitcher if it’s worth coaching just for that 16. Just be aware of it.

Runner on Third

I know people who have coached the runner on third if he is slow. This is to prevent the fly out double play. It happens more often than you think (remember, the 12 is one, too) and honestly, I should watch this more carefully.

The conventional fly out numbers depend on the outfielder’s defense rating.

Runners on First and Second

This is a big one. A slow runner on first will be out at home on a 6. In addition, a slow runner on second will be out at home on a 7. Pay attention to this clutch situation.

At the same time, if you have a slugger like Rhys Hoskins who has 1-5-5 power numbers and no 7s, you’re in the clear.

It’s worth mentioning there is an odd slow modification at 18 here as well. The runner on first is out at third on a single.

Runners on First and Third

Aside from Runner on First, the Runners on First and Third has one of the least amount annotations to be concerned about. There is just one but is a big one. The 8 causes the runner on first to be caught at third.

Again, watch your opposing pitcher. If he is an A or C, the batter is out so it won’t matter.

Runners on Second and Third

This situation also has just one modification for slow runners. And again, it is the 8 who is out at home. It’s worth mentioning that the 12 with Fielding One is a fly out double play (any runner). That would nullified if you had base coached the runner.

Bases Loaded

With the bases loaded, the normally powerful 5 can be a bit disappointing. A slow runner is out at home on a double. In addition, the 8 again causes the slow runner at first to be out first.

Thought process

So within a few seconds, this is my process when deciding to base coach in APBA

• Do I have a slow baserunner(s)?
• If so, what numbers is that runner out on given the base situation?
• If the runner is out on a hit number, does the pitcher’s grade affect that hit number?
• Does the batter have a sufficient number of those to warrant base coach him?
• I announce that I am base coaching him. Or not.

This seems like a lot going through my brain every time I roll the dice with a runner on base. But somehow, it comes mostly instinctively with most base situations. Knowing the APBA charts helps a lot.

Taking a gamble

There are times when you might have a slow base runner who has a chance to get thrown out but you might not want to base coach him. An example: say you are facing a B pitcher with a slow runner on second base. He’s out on the 9, right? But if your batter has a couple 7s (like Vladimir Guerrero Jr.), it might be worth the gamble.

It depends on how lucky you feel. And don’t forget, an 11 will score any runner with two outs too.

What are your thoughts? Do you use the optional base coaching? If so, are you super careful? Do throw caution to the wind?