Who holds runner on?

[Jake Patterson]

One of the problems I see with youth baseball is coaches teaching "Holding" the runner on. We teach several different plays that keep the fielders moving looking for the pick versus someone standing on the bag "holding" the runner. The plays include two circular plays where SS and 2B are moving clock-wise (SS) and counter clock-wise (2B). The middle infielders time it such that one is always covering 2B, they never go to the bag unless the pitcher turns and fires. We have them circle so they can move to their fielding positions efficiently. We have several variations of that play. We also have a 2-1 play, where the SS moves with the runner one step to the bag (2B) and two steps back toward third. 2-3 cycles - SS indicates with left hand while moving right, pitcher turns and fires to bag. CF backs up SS, LF and RF converge to the middle to back up the CF'er. If you watch MLB few, with the exception of 1B "holds" the runner.

[korp]

Short covers for lefty batters for pickoffs and steals .. everything else is second base. Now you can have pickoff plays where this can change or the wheel play where the 2nd basemen would hold the runner on regardless. You can also change the coverage based on pitch location and type (if they are likely to pull or hit the ball the other way). The communication between the two should be the glove in front of their face and do closed mouth to the other player if they have the bag or open mouth if the other player has the bag. The other player does the opposite sign so they are on the same page. They may not be at that level yet but thats how high school through pro players do it. I almost forgot if you think there is going to be a hit and run you can change the coverage so where the ball should be hit the fielder stays (other guy covers) and gets a double play ball.

[Brian McKenna]

When we're holding a runner on 2B, we have the SS cover with left-handed hitters, and the 2B covers for right-handed hitters. This assumes that most batters are more likely to pull the ball rather than go the opposite way. Is this logical? Boys are 12U.
?

This is logical but as you have probably noticed there is a vast difference between the hitters at the top of the order and at the bottom. Some batters just don't get around fast enough to pull the ball. My son does this - he's righthanded and almost everything he hits is to the right side - which is a big problem considering he is very slow. Of course, in a regular 12 and under league with teams that aren't familiar with each other, the other team wouldn't know this.

[Brian McKenna]

At this age group the best athlete should cover 2B on a steal. This is typically the SS.

12U leagues where any and all players play - considering that all players are given time in the infield - the kid at 2B is often there because he can't throw from the left side of the IF to 1B. These are not the better athletes.

[StraightGrain11]

When we're holding a runner on 2B, we have the SS cover with left-handed hitters, and the 2B covers for right-handed hitters. This assumes that most batters are more likely to pull the ball rather than go the opposite way. Is this logical? Boys are 12U.

Let me sneak in a second question. For a straight steal of 2B, we have the SS cover and 2B backs up. Is this s.o.p. or are there situations where the 2B should cover? Does it matter if the 2B or SS are left or right handed?

There can be. If you have your 3Bman charging on bunt, and your 1Bman staying home, then your SS will be "rotating" to 3B, so the 2Bman will HAVE to take 2B on a steal.

To your 2nd question, think of it this way...
A RH hitter shades the catcher's vision of the SS, but he has a clear view of the 2Bman, which means he also has a clear view of him "breaking to the bag." The same is true the other way, with a LH hitter up, the 2Bman is shaded from the catcher's view, but you have a clear view of the SS. So with RH hitters, you will often see the 2Bman cover, and with LH hitters, the SS cover.
But that may be more advanced than they need to be worrying about at this age, so SS covers w/ 2Bman backing up should suffice for now.

[Freestate]

When we're holding a runner on 2B, we have the SS cover with left-handed hitters, and the 2B covers for right-handed hitters. This assumes that most batters are more likely to pull the ball rather than go the opposite way. Is this logical? Boys are 12U.

Let me sneak in a second question. For a straight steal of 2B, we have the SS cover and 2B backs up. Is this s.o.p. or are there situations where the 2B should cover? Does it matter if the 2B or SS are left or right handed?