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Originally Posted by Big Slick
There comes a time when the players are faster than you. Maybe not "straight line" speed, but speed around the bases. You have to move efficiently to get the best angle/distance. And work in priority.
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I agree with you.
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(and once again, NO softball organization designates locations on the field as A, B, C, D, E, F, G, etc.)
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We are all aware of this here - but the shorthand is common enough and completely understood. I'd stop bothering with this nit, tbh. Does you no good to keep reminding us of this, and the designations help us communicate and understand each other.
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If you are outside between 1st and 2nd, and the BR busts for a triple, and you let her pass, you will be behind the play, and straight line the tag. It isn't a very efficient movement. Maybe the standard mechanic was develop with efficiency in mind?
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This play is from LEFT field - how am I straight-lining the tag... and further, if I'm moving to the center (between pitcher's plate and 2nd) as she's passing me, I'm moving to the very same place you're advocating in the first place - the angle on both of these is identical. I recognize I may eventually not have the speed to keep up - but I rarely have an issue keeping up with a runner, and the distance we need to go is less than that they need to go.
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The way to cover this play is as stated. There are more advantages inside than outside. And trust me, I'm a big advocate of staying outside (there are time as U1 in and NCAA 3-umpire where I'm never inside). Regardless, it is the standard mechanic for ASA/NFHS games. If you believe something else is better, lobby to change the manual; freelancing is not an option. When I instruct at clinics (multiple levels under multiple codes), I'm constantly referring to mechanics manuals. If this OP happened in a college game, my decisions may be different (but for this play, most likely not, reading more of what the BR is doing). But the OP referenced ASA; this is the ASA answer (as well as Fed).
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I hear you. BTW, you have called this "standard." One of the keys to good mechanics is adapting to the situation. The "standards", generally, are helpful but don't answer every situation perfectly and to be honest, I'm having trouble finding a play similar to the OP in my manual. If this is standard, can you tell me what page to look at? IOW - what page should I be lobbying to change?