MiLB: New U1 mechanic?

[bossman72]

Originally Posted by mbyron

OK, I've seen this several times this season, and I'm wondering if anyone can confirm that PBUC has changed this.

As I was taught, on a ground ball to the infield with nobody on, U1 sets up at a 90° angle and 18-21 feet from the base for the play at 1B.

In every Eastern League (AA) game I've attended this year, that's not what the guys are doing. Regardless of where the ball has been hit, U1 has set up 25-30 feet from the base, and maybe 3-4 feet behind the baseline between 1B and 2B.

And yes, I checked, and he was about 1/3 of the way to 2B! And that's a much smaller angle than 90°.

I don't recall a ball hit to F4 moving to his left, so I haven't noticed whether this position gets tweaked when U1 "feels pressure."

Is this what PBUC is teaching now?

I'm a tad confused... the whole purpose of being at 90° is so you can see if F3's foot is on the base and get in position for a swipe tag... It seems that getting to an angle that's more acute than 90° would straight-line you.

Maybe I'm not picturing the mechanic correctly...