Priorities

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by youngump

A partner asked me about this in pre-game and didn't like my answer.

As PU, there is a play at third for which you are responsible and just as the ball arrives at third, the runner from 3rd scores. What's your priority? (That is you don't have time to see the play and the touch, which do get a weaker look at.)

Thoughts?

If there is a runner from 3rd, headed home, that is the priority. How do you know the play won't be there? Lead runners come first.

[SNIPERBBB]

Who is supposed to cover trail runners into 3rd?

[youngump]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

If there is a runner from 3rd, headed home, that is the priority. How do you know the play won't be there? Lead runners come first.

Because the ball was thrown toward third and is getting there at the same time as the runner from second.

[Big Slick]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

If there is a runner from 3rd, headed home, that is the priority. How do you know the play won't be there? Lead runners come first.

Not correct. In the case where there is a runner coming home and a "middle runner" (not the batter runner) coming to third, such as:

Runners on second and first, base hit to outfield. runner from second is scoring and runner from first going into third.

As PU: More out from behind the plate to the holding zone in foul ground, about half way to 3B* and read the play. Responsible for any play on the lead runner at 3B and any play at the plate.

BU: responsible for plays at 1B and 2B and last runner into 3B.

*2015 ASA/USA verbiage. I believe USA 2017 is slightly different about the area of the holding zone.

The key is "reading the play". PU in the holding zone, if ball is thrown directly to third (and it isn't the "last runner"), then PU takes third, regardless of outs. If this becomes a timing play, you use the best information you can (and BU can help).

If they throw comes home, then you take the play at home.

If the thrown comes home, but is cut and then thrown to third, BU needs to read this and help. This requires communication.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by Big Slick

Not correct. In the case where there is a runner coming home and a "middle runner" (not the batter runner) coming to third, such as:

Runners on second and first, base hit to outfield. runner from second is scoring and runner from first going into third.



The key is "reading the play". PU in the holding zone, if ball is thrown directly to third (and it isn't the "last runner"), then PU takes third, regardless of outs. If this becomes a timing play, you use the best information you can (and BU can help).

If they throw comes home, then you take the play at home.

If the thrown comes home, but is cut and then thrown to third, BU needs to read this and help. This requires communication.

OK, I stand corrected on procedure and technique.

I think I have been taught that lead runners are always the priority if they are played; but I ignored actual position like holding zone to read first.

Thanks.