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Originally Posted by mbcrowder
Several reasons. First off... walking up the first base line a bit instead of third takes you no further from home - your ability to be in position for a play there is at worst identical from the 1st base side as the 3rd base side.
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Distance isn't the issue[/quote]
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Second, if you're up the 3BL in or near the holding area (a great place to be if you have a partner, a horrible place to be alone) - you can't possibly see what's going on at both 3rd base and home. From the 1st base side, that's easy
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Actually, it isn't as difficult as you think as it all depends on where you are in the holding zone. On 1BL, you are not even going to have a shot to see the runners touch all the bases as I will in the holding zone. Been doing this for 44 years, so I pretty much has this part down. And, yes, some field restraints may force me closer to the line than I want to be and I adjust, but not by going into the field.[quote]
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Third, along the first base line there's no chance of you getting in the way of a runner or a throw, whereas along the 3BL there's a chance of both (more likely the runner, obviously).
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Really? How is that going to happen in foul territory away from the throw whereas to get into a decent position for a play at home or 3rd, you have no choice to move into a possible conflict if the fielder doesn't go to the obvious play.
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The better proximity to third doing what you suggest is not enough to outweigh all of those things. It's been said here multiple times that angle is FAR more important ... doubly so when working alone. You have great angles on all 3 possible bases where plays might happen when you're up the 1BL, and it's far easier to see all touches, all possible OBS's from there than up the 3BL.
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And how well does that work on a ball to the right side?
Think I will stay with the manual.