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Originally Posted by RichMSN
If the BU knew I was coming up, I'd expect him to close distance at first and not have a great view at third. Worst thing I could do is make no call, look for a partner not in a good position, and then make a late, weak call.
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That's the key to the softball mechanic, Rich. The BU has to know that PU has 3rd on this play, and should close to get the right call on the front end at 1st. Remember, BU is starting outside the diamond, somewhere behind F6 (ideally off the left shoulder). If BU has closed, sells a close call, how does he effectively also spin around to make that banger call at 3rd. The best angle on the play at 1st has BU edging toward 2nd and closing in (away from the play at 3rd), while edging toward 3rd creates a poor angle at 1st (as well as potentially puts BU in the line of the throw from 1st to 3rd).
And, if you want him to do both calls, a) neither is that believable, 2) he invariably cheats on distance and/or angle on the front end to try to make a better call on the back end, and 3) everyone wonders why BU is making both calls while PU is still standing still behind the plate.
Thus, the proper softball mechanic is that BU closes and makes the best possible call at 1st, instead of the AT&T long distance call, while PU heads toward 3rd, and has the perfect 90 on the most typical tag play on 3rd, while staying completely out of the line of the throw. BU does turn and look, only to provide help (if asked) on the swipe tag that may be beyond the angle of the PU.