That is really bad baseball.

There are no automatic steals here. Defensive indifference (don't put that on the catcher, coach has made the call and you can tell because F3 is not holding) only happens with a large late inning lead.

Its a short stroll from B to C.

B is a super mechanic w/ R1, R3...or R1.

It gives you a super look at swipe tag at 2B.

MLB mechanic, NCAA mechanic, and now FED finally jumped on board.

We agree to disagree.

Don't speak for us up here in Minnesota.

Our kids can execute that play all day. BTW, I just got 8" of snow tonight. I won't sniff a field for another week.

It doesn't only happen in large late inning leads. I had it down 6 times in the first four innings of a 2 run game.

MTD, Sr.

If there is no indifference, B, IMHO, gives you a better look at the steal, which you need in high level games where they will throw and get the out and also possibly get the out at home if R3 goes. However, you will still see many pro and college umps in C. Those mechanics, except for a college LHP batter, in three and four man allow ump preference to position. The last bad call I saw in pro was the ump in C when he should have been in B. I don't think he will taking my advice any time soon.

I agree with the perception issue on calling the pickoff at first from the "C". Just last night, R1 and R2, so I was in the "C". Pitch in the dirt that the catcher blocked, but rolled a few feet away. R2 took a couple of steps but held at second, R1 took a couple more quick steps toward second, then started back as the catcher snapped a quick throw down to first. I took one or two quick steps and then made the out call on a play that was not that close - the tag was down and applied as the runner slid back headfirst. However, the OC was livid, not because he saw anything different, as he admitted he didn't have a good look on the play, but that "there's no way you can make that call from there (meaning the "C")!!!" I told him I was in the place I was supposed to be and that his runner was clearly out as the tag was waiting for him as he slid back, and that I had a good view of the play. His only retort was again that there was no way I could make that call from where I was. I told him his runner was out and turned and walked away. He proceeds to my partner and whines a little more, where my partner repeated almost exactly the same to the OC as I had, including the fact that his runner was easily out.

The next inning with R1, a soft liner was hit to F6 that looked like it might fall. F6 makes a nice diving catch, and fires to F3, who was off the base and had to make a swipe tag on the runner to double him up. A similar tag play, and actually more of a banger, but not one peep from the OC, presumably because I was now in the "B" and not the "C". Either that, or he realized what a rat he really is - doubtful, though.

So you want to be in C to avoid having to walk from B to C?

Rich:

I am saying that I went into the season with an open mind about the new mechanic but in my games it has been a waste of time because what it is supposed to help cover has not arisen. And at my age it is from "C" to "B" and back to "C". :p

MTD, Sr.

Allowing that things may be different now, when I worked in the Rochester/Albert Lea area in the early '90s, those kids couldn't catch a raindrop in a thunderstorm. Relative to what I saw and see in the South and West, the Midwest kids, on average, suck. I heard things were better in MSP, but never got there; I was only in MN for two seasons.

down there, I don't have any information to contradict what you're saying.

IHSA says...
 

I'm still in B with R2 and R3. Third base isn't in jeopardy of being stolen. That's the only time to be in C in Illinois. I agree with it.

A good <u>general</u> rule is for the BU to position himself based on the pre-pitch rotation.

If PU is rotating to 3rd, BU is in B. If PU is staying home, BU is in C.

With two outs and R2, R3 or R1, R2, R3, I like 'B'. With 0 or 1 out and RISP, I like C whether a steal of 3rd is possible or not. Back-picks happen, and when they do, I like to be nearer them.

That's a big call at 3B... credible distance is important. R2, R3, I'm in C.

Although our state mandates Position C for R2 + R3, many times I get moved to deep B by the runner and/or F6.

As long as you stay close to 2nd base, you get a good look at the snap throw to 3rd, and you're at a reasonably credible distance.