Expert: Brian Flaspohler - 8/31/2005

Question
Hi Brian,
I have a generic baseball question. If a runner is at first base and the batter hits a grounder, why is it default to throw out the man running to first base instead of throwing out the runner heading for second?  I've never understood why you wouldn't want to keep a scoring runner as far away from home plate as possible.  I love baseball, but I've never understood this and have always been too embarrassed to ask.

Answer
Jeff,

It all depends on the situation.  With less then two outs, baseball players almost always try to throw the lead runner out because they do want to keep people as far away from scoring as possible.

Some reasons they don't get the lead runner is when the play is a hit and run and the lead runner is already at 2nd, or the ball is hit very slowly so the lead runner is able to make it to second before the fielder makes the play.

With two outs, often the infielder makes the play at first.  At the level of skill of these players, the play to 1st is just as easy as a play at any other base.

Hope this helps!

Brian