With base runners on second and third and a slow ground ball hit to second base, what should the base runners do?

With base runners on second and third and a slow ground ball hit to second base, what should the base runners do?

• A. Wait until the ball is caught
• B. Break for home plate
• C. Break on contact
• D. Stay where they are

Answer: (C)

When a slow ground ball is hit to second base with runners on second and third, the appropriate action for the base runners is to break on contact. This means that as soon as the ball is hit, the base runners should immediately start running toward the next base without waiting to see whether the ball is fielded cleanly. This strategy takes advantage of the situation: since the ball is slow, there is a higher likelihood that it will either be fielded cleanly but require a longer throw to first base or mishandled altogether. By breaking on contact, the runner on third can attempt to score as long as the play does not result in an out at first base, while the runner on second can advance to third. If the second baseman fields the ball and throws to first base, there is a chance for the runner from third to score during the play, as they're already moving. Waiting until the ball is caught, breaking for home plate immediately, or staying put do not emphasize taking advantage of the defensive situation with a slow ground ball. The key here is that breaking on contact maximizes the opportunity for both base runners to advance or score effectively.

When a slow ground ball is hit to second base with runners on second and third, the appropriate action for the base runners is to break on contact. This means that as soon as the ball is hit, the base runners should immediately start running toward the next base without waiting to see whether the ball is fielded cleanly.

This strategy takes advantage of the situation: since the ball is slow, there is a higher likelihood that it will either be fielded cleanly but require a longer throw to first base or mishandled altogether. By breaking on contact, the runner on third can attempt to score as long as the play does not result in an out at first base, while the runner on second can advance to third. If the second baseman fields the ball and throws to first base, there is a chance for the runner from third to score during the play, as they're already moving.

Waiting until the ball is caught, breaking for home plate immediately, or staying put do not emphasize taking advantage of the defensive situation with a slow ground ball. The key here is that breaking on contact maximizes the opportunity for both base runners to advance or score effectively.