[PeteBooth]

Originally posted by tskill

Does anyone have a good 1-Man Mechanic for seeing pickoffs at 1B ?

Either RH or LH batter, this is so hard to get a good angle quick enough to make a good call.

In a nutshell when working SOLO there isn't any real good 1 person mechanic for the pickoff at first especially if F1 has a good quick move. As others mentioned you get basically one or 2 steps (if you have time) and that's it.

I echo Garth in that I do not do anything special during the Plate Conference when working solo. As Garth said it's Both teams properly equipped, skip takes us around.

To keep the game consistent for both teams when working SOLO I have what I call GIVENS meaning.

Good Throw, Ball beats runner, Tag where it should be = OUT - PERIOD.

Bad play by defense = Safe

As others mentioned the runner when working SOLO gets the benefit of doubt but remember it's the same for both teams.

If you notice the runner taking a BIG lead at first and gets caught "leaning" a bit and F1 makes a good throw to F3 (right on the BAG) reward the good play and call the runner out.

If the ball is hit, get as close as you can to what is known as the "working area" somehere around the pitcher's mound where you can see most of the "action".

From my experience, simply show both teams you are hustling and not just standing back behind the plate all day calling everything. For the mots part if the coaches see you are hustling you will not get any flak. If you simply stay staionary gives the appearance you simply want your paycheck and will do the least possible to get it.

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