3 Man Mech. R1-R3. fly ball

[BJ Moose]

3 man mech. R1, R3. 0 Outs. OF course, on a base hit, we run the "rotation". UIC has 3rd. U1 covers home.

But this is a flyball to Left, F7 moving toward line, UIC ball. Does this negate the rotation? So that U1 reads this and comes in and pivots... UIC stays home for possible tag up and play. OR would you still run the rotation. UIC up at third, with U1 taking possible play on R3 if tagup?

[Thom Coste]

Originally posted by BJ Moose
3 man mech. R1, R3. 0 Outs. OF course, on a base hit, we run the "rotation". UIC has 3rd. U1 covers home.

But this is a flyball to Left, F7 moving toward line, UIC ball. Does this negate the rotation? So that U1 reads this and comes in and pivots... UIC stays home for possible tag up and play. OR would you still run the rotation. UIC up at third, with U1 taking possible play on R3 if tagup?

The fly ball belongs to UIC, as does the tag at third base. He will position himself part way up the line, so that he can line up the catch and tag, and retreat to home for any play at the plate. U1 will line himself up to call the tag at first. Following the catch U3 has the play at 3rd if R3 tags and then returns, or the play at 2nd if R1 tags and goes. If R3 returns AND R1 tags and goes, then U3 has the play at 3rd and U1 has the play at 2nd (mucho hustle req'd!).

IF the fly ball drops in, UIC will have responsibility for the play on R1 if he goes all the way to third.

In all situations, communicate with your partners to avoid a breakdown in coverage. And this should be discussed at the pregame with your partners.

Thom
Member UT

[Carl Childress]

Originally posted by BJ Moose
3 man mech. R1, R3. 0 Outs. OF course, on a base hit, we run the "rotation". UIC has 3rd. U1 covers home.

But this is a flyball to Left, F7 moving toward line, UIC ball. Does this negate the rotation? So that U1 reads this and comes in and pivots... UIC stays home for possible tag up and play. OR would you still run the rotation. UIC up at third, with U1 taking possible play on R3 if tagup?

+++++++
No rotation here. U1 must stay at first to keep R1 from cheating. If R3 tags and heads home, on the throw R1 will go to second. The first-base umpire must keep him honest.

R1 isn't going to third on this play, so there's not going to be a play at that base unless R3 bluffs and the left fielder throws behind the runner. If that happens, the third-base umpire (in C) will have a perfect view.

Everybody stays where he is.

[BJ Moose]

So can we clarify what TC said? Logical.. UI stays to keep R1 honest. Now this flyball is BIFFED by F7 and falls in.

DOES UIC have 3rd for possible play on R1? (Same as 2 man?). Where is U1 at this time? He didn't pivot on the play, but curled outside, right? Does he then watch MILFS having nothing to do? I can't imagine him chasing B-R to 2nd?

If there is a breakdown of play on R1 at third, UIC books back to home, right?



+++++++
No rotation here. U1 must stay at first to keep R1 from cheating. If R3 tags and heads home, on the throw R1 will go to second. The first-base umpire must keep him honest.

R1 isn't going to third on this play, so there's not going to be a play at that base unless R3 bluffs and the left fielder throws behind the runner. If that happens, the third-base umpire (in C) will have a perfect view.

Everybody stays where he is. [/B][/QUOTE]

[Carl Childress]

Originally posted by BJ Moose
So can we clarify what TC said? Logical.. UI stays to keep R1 honest. Now this flyball is BIFFED by F7 and falls in.

DOES UIC have 3rd for possible play on R1? (Same as 2 man?). Where is U1 at this time? He didn't pivot on the play, but curled outside, right? Does he then watch MILFS having nothing to do? I can't imagine him chasing B-R to 2nd?

If there is a breakdown of play on R1 at third, UIC books back to home, right?

[/B][/QUOTE]

+++++++
In a two-man crew in Texas, once the UIC goes to third, he never chases a runner home. His partner prepares to cover the plate.

Here, with a three-man crew, it's very simple.
1. Fly ball to left, R3 retouches.
2. UIC has both the retouch and the catch.
3. The ball falls in.
4. The UIC will move (in foul territory) part way to third.

THEN:

5. In the unlikely event the ball gets past F7 and R1 tries for third, he will be met there by the UIC. (The third-base umpire is stuck at second, of course.)
6. As soon as the first-base umpire releases R1 to second, he should go to the 45-foot line and prepare to cover home in the absence of the UIC.

This play practically covers itself. I would think even the rankest rookie could do this intuitively, just as long as he knows umpires in a three-man crew rotate clockwise to cover vacant bases.