3 Mechanics Question

[ManInBlue]

Originally Posted by bossman72

2 Man:

1) Is there any situation in which the BU in the B or C position to start the play would rotate to home plate?

Sure, plenty of them. First that comes to mind - R2, fly ball to F9, PU goes to 3B ("I've got 3rd if he tags") - BU rolls home in case there is an errant throw - needs to wait for R2 to commit to 3rd before leaving though.

edit to add - Rich posted before I got through typing - He's right - normally there is no need for PU to cover 3B and BU to go home. But if PU hustles and gets up the line to help or just because then ... there are plenty of times the PU can go up 3BL to help out - that's when BU needs to roll home, unless you have a trailing runner that you are responsible for.

2) R1, R3. R1 gets in a rundown btw 1st and 2nd. PU stays home because of R3. If the defense throws to 3rd to make a play on R3 either before R1 is tagged out or right after R1 is tagged out, this would also be the BU's call, correct?

Yep - unless BU is able to position himself to make that call (and let you know he's got it) AND still be able to be in position to get home for that play. Best bet...That's why your called the Field or Base umpire - you better get it.

3) R1, single, PU rotates to third, overthrow on the play at 3rd and the ball is getting close to the out of play chalk (or imaginary) line, which is a good distance away from the base, but has a chance of staying in play. The PU has to rotate back down to home for the play there, but does he also have the call on the ball rolling out of play? What's the best technique to accurately judge this when you're trying to bust your ace back to home? You can't necessarily turn and run since you have to watch the ball at the out of play line, but watching the ball will slow you down to get back to home. What do you guys do in this situation?

Sounds like they better be kicking their horses. PU has got to see the ball - the ball is ALWAYS you first responsibility - so he needs to get into position to get home as the throw is coming and still see the ball clearly - or BU better let him know he's at home (and then PU has to wake up to possibly get to 3B or 2B)

I'm sure I'll take some heat for these answers - that's OK - I'm curious what others say anyway.