Help With a Scoop at First

[SanDiegoSteve]

I do a combination of both. I try to see both at the same time with an expanded view of the play. When I see the throw is going to be low or off line, I anticipate having to see both the runner's foot hitting the base and F3 controlling the ball. You have to adjust your eyes quickly in order to see both events take place. It also takes practice. A ball in the dirt makes very little noise when it hits the glove, and that, combined with crowd noise, makes it difficult to call it by sound only.

[DG]

I always watch the bag, looking for BR's touch, and to be sure F3 has a portion of his foot touching also. I listen for the ball hitting the mitt, and in the case of a one-hopper I listen for the second sound, since the first will be the ball hitting the ground. Having seen and heard, I then look up to see if F3still has the ball.