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The ball is in the air on it's way to the catcher, the runner is coming down the line, you've had to watch him hit the bags, make sure the throw is coming in, line up the play and now you're going to guesstimate if the ball is inside of the thirteen foot radius? No chance.
The catcher or fielder (doesn't have to be the catcher on a passed ball) must be in the imminent act of trying to make a play on the runner. That means is he watching the ball or looking where his feet are? In the Big 12 Championship last year, a pitcher was spiked by a guy busting home on a passed ball. The umpire saw that he dropped his entire left leg down to block the dish (dumb a**) before the catcher even had the ball. The kid was called out, but the offensive coach went crazy, that he blocked the bag without the ball.
A lot of these guys can rope it home, no problem, so if the throw is coming from right or center, set up third base extended and get a good look at the action. If that ball is in the air and over the infield grass, he is making a play.
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