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Originally Posted by WestMichBlue
Forget the 90 deg line. That is old school. I think that umpires focus too much on getting that angle, and then they drift too far in; thus being too close to the play.
Starting at appx 18', pivot and take two steps into the field (roughly perpendicular to the base line). This guarantees that you stop appx 18' from the base; a proper distance to give you a full view of the play.
This angle is much more shallow then before, but you still have a good view of the base and runner's foot. The advantage is that when you anticipate a tag play or big stretch by F3, you only need one or two steps back and you are looking right down the line. This gives you a great view of a swipe tag or pulled foot.
By only taking a couple steps, you should be stationary well before the throw. Follow the throw all the way. An instant before the ball hits the glove, allow your eyes to continue down to the bag. You should be able to hear or sense the catch and see the bag at the same time.
WMB
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Well said, WMB. That's what I do when a ground ball is hit to the left side of the field but when grounded between 1st and 2nd base I move a couple of steps to the foul side of 1st base line. ..Al