no runners - base hit, responsibility for the BR

[Rich]

Originally Posted by jdmara

That's a pregame topic for me. Depending on the mobility of the BU, he will follow it around to 3rd.

-Josh

Good God. A BU that can't take a BR around to third should just pack it in.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

Good God. A BU that can't take a BR around to third should just pack it in.

Absolutely. Even in the out-of-shape state I'm in now, I can still beat the BR to 3rd from A anytime (I'd be out of breath these days, but I'd still be there in a set position ready to make the call at the cutout).

No reason at all for the PU to go to 3rd on this play. Stay home where ya belong! I hate it when plate guys creep up the line thinking they're helping out when I've got 3rd. Just go back to tending your little garden and let me do my job!

[SethPDX]

I will join Tim, rei, and Rich in taking BR all the way to 3B. You can cut through the infield to get there, you know. And I know I can use the exercise.

[canadaump6]

I hate when the batter hits a gapper, I get a good jump out of P2, do my pivot, watch the touch of first, stay ahead of him, watch him touch second, hustle down to the third base cutout ahead of the runner... and my partner is there at third base trashing all the work I did to get there.

I also hate when I run my *** off all the way to the cutout at 2nd when my base partner goes out, and I still don't get any respect at the higher levels of baseball. But that is a different issue for another time.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by canadaump6

I hate when the batter hits a gapper, I get a good jump out of P2, do my pivot, watch the touch of first, stay ahead of him, watch him touch second, hustle down to the third base cutout ahead of the runner... and my partner is there at third base trashing all the work I did to get there.

I also hate when I run my *** off all the way to the cutout at 2nd when my base partner goes out, and I still don't get any respect at the higher levels of baseball. But that is a different issue for another time.

You expect a pat on the back for doing your job? Wrong bidness.

[canadaump6]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

You expect a pat on the back for doing your job? Wrong bidness.

I guess it was my mistake to assume that hustling and dressing professionally would help me earn respect on the ball diamond.

[bobbybanaduck]

if i got myself an NFL uniform, showed up, ran my a$$ off, but fuhcked everything up royally, i wouldn't expect any respect.

[tballump]

It would seem if anyone uses the ancient method of making the plate umpire go to third on a triple, then the BU should immediately run home upon releasing the runner at second, in case of an overthrow at 3rd, and a subsequent play at the dish.

[jdmara]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

Good God. A BU that can't take a BR around to third should just pack it in.

Right or wrong I've seen it done many different ways over the years. It's always best to discuss it and remove all doubt of nobody being there. Just my two sense. I agree that if an umpire can't beat a baserunning to 3b he probably shouldn't be out there, but it happens.

-Josh

[RPatrino]

The PU taking the BR to third as well as taking the second play on the infield at third seems to be a common softball mechanic. I highly recommend discussing this with your partner in your pre-game, if you happen to work with softball guys a lot. I learned this the hard way!!

[canadaump6]

Originally Posted by RPatrino

The PU taking the BR to third as well as taking the second play on the infield at third seems to be a common softball mechanic. I highly recommend discussing this with your partner in your pre-game, if you happen to work with softball guys a lot. I learned this the hard way!!

On a related note...

R2, 1 out. Ground ball to shortstop who throws to first for the force out, then the first baseman throws to third to nab R2. Am I not correct in thinking the base umpire should take both calls?

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by canadaump6

On a related note...

R2, 1 out. Ground ball to shortstop who throws to first for the force out, then the first baseman throws to third to nab R2. Am I not correct in thinking the base umpire should take both calls?

You are correct, but you'd be surprised how many gung-ho PUs will go charging up that line as if you aren't even there, just ready to step on your call.

I tell them in pre-game to stay at the plate unless they are supposed to be at 3rd. These are the same guys that on a 1st to 3rd play are at home looking at the flowers and leave you hanging for the play at 3rd.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by canadaump6

On a related note...

R2, 1 out. Ground ball to shortstop who throws to first for the force out, then the first baseman throws to third to nab R2. Am I not correct in thinking the base umpire should take both calls?

This is one (of a handful) of plays where mechanics differ. PBUC has gone back-and-forth on this mechanic for years.

[canadaump6]

I am in favour of the plate umpire staying home on this one to watch for overthrows. If the base umpire hustles he should be able to take the play at first and third.

[TussAgee11]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

This is one (of a handful) of plays where mechanics differ. PBUC has gone back-and-forth on this mechanic for years.

I believe that PU should get his butt up there on the 2nd play in the infield, but as you point out, PBUC can't make up their mind.

Can't ask BU to make 2 calls within 3 seconds of each other when they are 144 feet apart.... I'd rather BU move over and get the proper angle at 1st, and let PU have plenty of time to think about his angle at 3rd.

IMO, it is similar to PU being the guy to get INT at 2nd base on a DP ball. And that is when BU has just a 90 degree swivel, and is maybe 30 feet from one play and 60 from another.

Now, he's probably going to have to cut the distance in half from behind the mound, not get a good look at the play at first, have proper timing, now swivel 180 degrees, have a play explode on him from about 70 feet away, probably without a good angle (not as good as a hustling PU can get).

I always go over this in my pregame, ask what pard wants to do. I'd say 90% of the time, they are coming out.