Proper technics handling rundowns

Question
Michael:
I'm begging for your advice/clarification.  To avoid all infielders being involved, am I correct teaching that 1st basemen deliver the ball immediately to the SS if a runner is caught dead during a pickoff attempt and a run down ensues?  Then, 1st basemen pell back in the event of rundown and after the pitcher has their turn, the original 1st basemen is involved again. Others think that the 1st basemen follow his throw made to 2nd base and he becomes another backup (from 2nd base) if the rundown continues.  Please respond to clarify this with my 11-yr. Georgia travel team...I still believe 1st basemen return back to 1st base and if needed after the pitcher's turn, they are next in line.  

Answer
Paul,

Thanks for the question and this is one that I am very clear on.

The fielder should ALWAYS GO WHERE THEY THROW.  The 1Bman should follow his throw to 2B.  In no circumstances should he turn and go back to a base.  The pitcher should be going to 1B. The 2Bman should be moving to 2B.  The SS then makes the catch and runs him back to 1B.  

What are the goals of a rundown?  1-to get the runner out, 2-to push him back to the base he came from.  If the latter happens, noone is hurt and you start over.  But in this case, if the 1Bman throws to 2B to the SS and the SS runs him back and throws to the 1Bman who is at 1B, what if the 2Bman falls asleep and doesn't cover 2B, then the runner goes un-impeded to 2B.  If the fielder always goes where they throw, the bases are always covered and you only need one more fielder to complete the rundown circuit.  The hope is that your pitcher and 2Bman are awake and taking care of their duties.

NOTE: If the 1Bman gets rid of the ball immediately upon taking the pickoff throw, he can stay at 1B.  This is only going to happen when the runner from 1B was stealing and left early.  The runner in that instance is not going to stop, but should be taught to run hard and slide into 2B as if stealing anyway.  The fielding play would be for the 1Bman to step out of the running line and make a quick throw to the SS who then makes the tag as if the runner was simply stealing the base.

IF the running goes part way and stops to get in a rundown, the 1Bman has to chase him and initiate the rundown circuit.  Once the 1Bman throws the ball, he follows his throw.

The confusion is if the fielder throws and turns and goes back to the base he came from, the SS may not know who to throw the ball to as players get bunched up.  

Make it simple, if the fielder has chased the runner, even 3 or 4 steps, he should always GO WHERE HE THROWS.

I hope this helps.

Mike