With a runner on second and a deep fly ball hit to right-center, what should the runner do if the center fielder has to turn her back?

With a runner on second and a deep fly ball hit to right-center, what should the runner do if the center fielder has to turn her back?

• A. Stay on second base
• B. Tag up and run to third base
• C. Try to advance to home plate
• D. Attempt to distract the fielders

Answer: (B)

When a deep fly ball is hit to right-center and the center fielder has to turn her back, this indicates that she is likely unable to accurately track the ball while running. In this situation, the runner on second base should tag up and then run to third base. Tagging up means the runner must wait on the base until the ball is caught. If the ball is not caught, the runner has the opportunity to advance. Since the center fielder is turning her back, there’s a higher chance that the ball could drop or be misfielded, allowing the runner to take advantage and move to third base. This increases the probability of scoring on the next play, as being on third puts one just a short distance from home plate. Remaining on second base would not take advantage of this opportunity, while trying to advance to home would be risky with the potential for being tagged out if the ball is caught. Attempting to distract the fielders is not a strategic or acceptable action in professional play and could even lead to penalties. Thus, tagging up and advancing to third base is the most calculated and advantageous decision in this scenario.

When a deep fly ball is hit to right-center and the center fielder has to turn her back, this indicates that she is likely unable to accurately track the ball while running. In this situation, the runner on second base should tag up and then run to third base.

Tagging up means the runner must wait on the base until the ball is caught. If the ball is not caught, the runner has the opportunity to advance. Since the center fielder is turning her back, there’s a higher chance that the ball could drop or be misfielded, allowing the runner to take advantage and move to third base. This increases the probability of scoring on the next play, as being on third puts one just a short distance from home plate.

Remaining on second base would not take advantage of this opportunity, while trying to advance to home would be risky with the potential for being tagged out if the ball is caught. Attempting to distract the fielders is not a strategic or acceptable action in professional play and could even lead to penalties. Thus, tagging up and advancing to third base is the most calculated and advantageous decision in this scenario.