Rays vs Redsox Play at the Plate (Video)

[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.