Rays vs Redsox Play at the Plate (Video)

[Rufus]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

why would clinicians go ballistic? It turns out to be a "crash" play, so 1BX is the right spot.

the question is, can you read that in time, or did he get too far to the right to make it back, etc.

I'm not trying to be controversial, just want to ask the question because I don't know. With R3 and a sacrifice fly likely in that situation is the correct/standard positioning 3BX (where he was)? I guess what I'm asking is why he had to read that? Would the normal positioning be 3BX and then try moving closer to behind the plate or 1BX extended?

[rbmartin]

Some of you more senior folks can correct me if I'm wrong but I've found I have the best result by setting up 1BX (I stay there for probably 75% of plays) and then rotating to 3BX only if the throw is up the 3rd baseline which often results in a swipe tag attempt. I had a few older guys I work with say that looks fine to them.

[briancurtin]

That was the "in" thing to do for a while, then people started from the point, and now most tend to start at 3BLX.

I think it just stems from players tending to slide outside regardless of the catcher in most situations. Everyone sees the MLB plays where a player slides outside when it makes sense, he lifts his hand up to dodge the reaching glove, barely gets around, and then swipes the plate with his pinky. It looks cool.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Rufus

I'm not trying to be controversial, just want to ask the question because I don't know. With R3 and a sacrifice fly likely in that situation is the correct/standard positioning 3BX (where he was)? I guess what I'm asking is why he had to read that? Would the normal positioning be 3BX and then try moving closer to behind the plate or 1BX extended?

you have to read the catcher and decide. And, it can change in an instant as this one did.

For most of us, most of the time, there's not going to be a crash, so 3BX is the spot to be most of the time. But, there's that 1 in 20 (or so) where 1BX is better.

In pro ball, it's a higher percentage than that (but it seems to be going down).

Suppose the umpire was 1BX and the catcher didn't shift to block the plate but just swung his arm to tag. Then, the umpire would (might) have missed that and we'd all be discussing how 3BX is better. Sometimes the play changes too fast to be in the right spot for both possibilities.

[Rufus]

Thanks Bob, was having trouble picturing how 1BX would be worse and your example helped.

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

Suppose the umpire was 1BX and the catcher didn't shift to block the plate but just swung his arm to tag. Then, the umpire would (might) have missed that and we'd all be discussing how 3BX is better. Sometimes the play changes too fast to be in the right spot for both possibilities.

If he was on 1BLX we wouldn't be having this conversation. I don't think you see a swipe tag any better from 3BLX. Seems like they play the low percentages in case of one call.