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Originally Posted by Always Wright
Finally, and this is the point that no one has addressed yet and I would really like someone respond to, is plays at other bases. Let's picture for example, a play at home with the throw coming from straightaway CF. This is the exact mirror image of a steal at 2B. Those of you who think taking the steal play at 2B from the inside gives you the absolute best look at that play - do you follow that same positioning at the plate? Do you come into fair territory, shaded slightly up the 3B line, face the throw and have it turn you into the play at the plate? I think probably not (unless you are Bruce Froemming). You probably stay in foul territory on either the 1B or 3B line extended. That is precisely the look you would get at 2B from the outfield side. And that's the main point I wished to make. Please respond to that.
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My response to this would be two-fold:
1) after a play at the plate, is there any possibility that an overthrow would cause the umpire to need to run and cover the next base? Answer, NO. There is no next base. Once the umpire makes his call at the plate, the only other possibility is another play at the plate. The BU, on the other hand, has a play at 2nd, the ball is overthrown, and he has to haul butt over to get an angle for the possible play on the runner at 3rd. From the outfield side, this is going to put him way behind the play at 3rd, probably looking through the backside of the runner and unable to clearly see the tag. Being on the inside simply puts the umpire in a better overall position.
2) throws coming from the outfield to the plate have more potential to end up farther off-line than any throws into 2nd base, and more potential for the PU to be in the way of subsequent plays by the catcher.