Thoughts on a common deviation - (2 man) PU covers 3B on a extra base hit?

[teebob21]

Originally Posted by Tru_in_Blu

I would not like my BU taking the play at the plate in a 2-ump system.

Non sequitur storytime: I once took a play at home as BU after chasing a batted ball to the outfield.

No one on, high school varsity game. Ball hit over my head down RF line. I take fair-foul, as I had pregamed with my partner. A diving catch attempt fails, and I signal accordingly. My partner goes to cover 2B, makes it about 3/4 the way to the pitching circle and falls down. The chalk monster got him, I guess.

The throw to 2B is wide, and the ball goes into left. BR doesn't break stride and rounds 2B with a full head of steam. I was 100 feet from home, but I can see that there is no way my partner is getting up in time to make any credible call. I bust in, headed for home about the same time the runner does.

I get a decent position of approximately point of the plate for a throw from left field with F2 positioned up the line about 10 feet. Throw is wide, the ball whizzed past my legs to the backstop, no call necessary. Weird play.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by teebob21

Non sequitur storytime: I once took a play at home as BU after chasing a batted ball to the outfield.

I haven't done baseball in a long time, so I don't know if it's still the case. But when I attended a baseball camp years ago, this was the taught mechanic on a 90' diamond. Should the BU chase from A with no runners on base, and the ball is not caught, then the BU should hustle back in foul territory to take home should the BR eventually try to score. That's because the PU is way too deep into the infield for plays at second or third, and may not be able to make it all the way back to the plate. Since the BU has no other responsibilities after chasing, there should be no problem with him/her covering home while the BR rounds the bases.

But for softball, there should be no reason for the BU to cover home under two-man unless the PU blows a tire. The infield is small enough that the PU can adequately retreat home.