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Originally Posted by youngump
I'm not sure how to make it any clearer that as a matter of geometry you are simply not right. I'm not a great umpire and I'm not going to argue mechanics as I'm just not there yet. But as far as math goes, I can tear it up. The angles are simply not the same. Let me try once more.
Your play at first is great for an example. There are 4 spots that we could call 45 degrees. Let's call them A,B,C, and D starting from the foul position past first base and working clockwise. If you are in A, you have a 90 to the throw and a 135 to the path of the runner. If you are in B, you have a 0 to the throw and a 45 to the path of the runner. If you are in C, you have a 45 to the path of the runner and a 90 to the throw. If you are in D, you have a 180 to the throw and a 135 to the path of the runner.
Now it's possible that all 4 of those by chance offer the same benefits (though as you've noted they clearly do not, having a 180 to the throw being what you noted.) You can make the case that two angles offer the same benefits but when you try and use geometry to get there you have to understand that you can't just invert your frame of reference and pretend you have the same angle.
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You are failing to grasp the simplicity of the concept being presented by introducing variables that are not relevant.
It does not matter if you are 90 degrees from the throw in most instances. That is an antiquated idea and of little value. Obviously, you need to be able to see the ball and avoid being hit by it, or a "180" as you like to call it.
On a force play at 1st, the only thing that is relevant in order to make that particular call is your angle with respect to the BASE, and nothing else. Everything that happens in that play is going to happen at the base. The entire rest of the field ceases to matter at that point. There is even a school of thought, among some VERY high level umpires (multiple Divison 1 College World Series appearances) that you don't even need to watch or pay attention to the throw anymore, just focus on the base.
And I can assure you that D in your example does not involve a 135 degree path to the runner, as that is default position on a play at 1st in every mechanics manual at every level of softball in the world, and everyone teaches that as the optimal position to take the call.
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Being in A or D you called the same angle. Now if the throw to first comes in and pulls the fielder toward foul territory you'll note that the angles change in very different ways.
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A pulled foot, bad throw, or swipe tag can ruin your angle on nearly any play from virtually any position on the field. There is no spot that is immune to this, where you can see everything with crystal clarity. This is why you need to be cognizant of the changing play and be prepared to adjust your angle accordingly, as the play develops.