I wanted to kick my assignor this weekend

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Julio Caliente

As for mechanics in B I like to stand where i can see the pitcher, R1, and the plate all in my field of view.

You should not concern yourself as to where R1 is. Unless there is a throw to first, it does not matter where R1 is. You will know when he is stealing. You will either hear him running, or you will hear fielders shouting, "he's going!"

You should set up on the imaginary line between the plate and the edge of the pitcher's mound, and be facing the plate directly, with your head turned to watch the pitcher only. Nothing can happen without the baseball, and he is the one holding the baseball. If you are trying to keep one eye on the runner, you are liable to miss a little something called "balks."

After the pitcher is committed to home plate, turn your head toward the plate and track the pitch and be ready to move with whatever play occurs. If the pitcher makes a pickoff move, step forward (they like at least two steps, so I go right-left-pivot) and pivot to face first base.

For pickoffs at 2nd or 3rd, you need only pivot and face the base to make the call, no stepping forward required. But in two-man mechanics, you set up with your body facing home plate from both "B" and "C."

I hope this helps.