Quote:
Originally posted by CecilOne
If F4 has the ball and is reaching toward the runner, then the ball is outside the basepath and the BU belongs inside. Even if not outside the line from 1st to 2nd, there is no longer a possibility of interfering with a batted ball, so we have to cover the play.
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Cannot argue with any of the posts here, but the statement above doesn't always ring true.
The I/O mechanic isn't solely based on avoiding interference with a batted ball and the baseline/basepath has no bearing on it's execuation.
The purpose is not only to avoid interference, but to avoid being clocked by a ball. It is based on the whereabouts of the ball as it relates to the fielder and possible play.
In this scenario, if the BU hustles inside to get an angle and F4 decides to throw to 3B, look out! Even if the BU only comes in a little, if F6 tries to throw behind the runner at 3B, the BU may still be in the way.