Softball - Defending with runners on 3rd

Question
I coach a 10U A team and wanted advice on defending with runners on 2nd & 3rd with less than two outs when up by 1 or 2 runs and time running out.  At 10U it is difficult for the girls to throw hard enough to look the runner back and throw to 1st and then have the 1st baseman throw home in time.  Should we fake the throw or load the bases for the force at home?

Answer
Hello Fred

You should know your players capabilities better than anyone. Loading the bases sounds like a good strategy especially if the ball is hit to the left side if the field or you are nursing a one run lead. Loading the bases for a force out at home is much easer than having to tag a runner out. However if the ball was hit to the right side of the field I would probably get an out at first then try to make a play home.  

If you had a 2 run lead I would get the out at first for sure because you wouldn抰 want to put the winning run on base. Even if one run scored and a runner at 3rd you would have 2 outs, and 1 run lead.

If course things can still go horribly wrong but playing the percentages never hurts.