Referee Mag Article-BU Inside Infield w/ Runner on 3rd Only

[jwwashburn]

Ok,

I read this and cannot find it. It was in Referee Magazine in 04 or 05.

I think it was a college guy that wrote it.

He said he was experimenting with the BU coming behind the pitcher with a single runner on third and(I think) with two outs.

First, can anyone help me find the article, second-what do you think of the idea?

Joe In Michigan

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

Ok,

I read this and cannot find it. It was in Referee Magazine in 04 or 05.

I think it was a college guy that wrote it.

He said he was experimenting with the BU coming behind the pitcher with a single runner on third and(I think) with two outs.

First, can anyone help me find the article, second-what do you think of the idea?

Joe In Michigan

Wouldn't put much value in the mechanic at any level in any game.

[jwwashburn]

What would be the negatives?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

What would be the negatives?

Becoming a target in the biggest hole in an infield, getting turned around on a ball up the middle (BU always has 1st play in the infield), ending up in the middle of a play, being hit by a batted ball prior to it passing a fielder, not being in a position to go out on a possible catch/no catch scenario are a few that come to mind.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Becoming a target in the biggest hole in an infield, getting turned around on a ball up the middle (BU always has 1st play in the infield), ending up in the middle of a play, being hit by a batted ball prior to it passing a fielder, not being in a position to go out on a possible catch/no catch scenario are a few that come to mind.

Oh, is that all!

Also, visually screening middle infielders, distracting the pitcher, making ot more difficult to get outside the runner if 3rd-HP becomes a rundown, etc.

[mcrowder]

I will use this mechanic at 10U only. At 12U, 14U, JV, or V, all of the problems Mike mentioned become significant, and the advantages you gain by moving inside nearly disappear.

At the levels where stealing home is not a possibility though, the need to be near third base decreases substantially. Also, at those levels, F4 and F6 will likely be in front of me, even if I'm inside. And it gets you much closer to the 20 times more likely play at first base.

I've seen occasional umpires go all the way back to A at 8U or 10U with R3 only. I don't like this because while the need to be near third is LESS, it is not ZERO - and you can be caught WAY out of position on that rare ball where you do need to be near 3rd.

[jwwashburn]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Becoming a target in the biggest hole in an infield, getting turned around on a ball up the middle (BU always has 1st play in the infield),

As soon as I can find this article, I will post it for everyone to see. I cannot see any reason why I the BU would get "turned around".

ending up in the middle of a play,

Not if you are paying attention.

being hit by a batted ball prior to it passing a fielder,

I work both baseball and softball...I have not been hit in baseball(even at the U13/14 level where the pitching plate is a lot closer) and the baseball can and does come at you a lot harder.

not being in a position to go out on a possible catch/no catch scenario are a few that come to mind.

I have not seen a mechanic that allows for the BU to go out with runners on. However, my position(behind the pitching circle) wouldput me in a MUCH better position for helping on a catch/no catch scenario as I could help in more of the outfield.

As for the play at first, you have to admit that your view would be better. The snap throw back to third? Better angle, as well. There ARE posiitives to this position-there may be negatives, as well...but most of the ones that I hear don't seem to be very well thought out.

Your pal,

Joe In Michigan

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

As soon as I can find this article, I will post it for everyone to see. I cannot see any reason why I the BU would get "turned around".

If the fielders are playing at normal depth, then they are farther from the plate than you. So you either have your back to first base, or your back to the fielder. There is no way too keep both of them in your vision. So you are turning one way to watch the fielding of the ball, moving backward toward first base to get closer, and then turning 180 degrees as the ball is thrown to watch the play at first.

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

[Not if you are paying attention.

Pay attention all you want. You are still "in the middle of things" if ball is hit to shortstop, and in the way if the ball is hit up the middle - having to dodge before getting yourself into position.

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

[I work both baseball and softball...I have not been hit in baseball(even at the U13/14 level where the pitching plate is a lot closer) and the baseball can and does come at you a lot harder.

So do I. Perhaps you noticed the difference in the size of the diamonds? THIS is the reason that being inside is normally a bad mechanic in softball, but can be workable in baseball. You might notice that in your baseball mechanics manuals, they do not recommend working inside on a 60' baseball diamond either. Same reasons as softball.

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

[I have not seen a mechanic that allows for the BU to go out with runners on. However, my position(behind the pitching circle) wouldput me in a MUCH better position for helping on a catch/no catch scenario as I could help in more of the outfield.

As for the play at first, you have to admit that your view would be better. The snap throw back to third? Better angle, as well. There ARE posiitives to this position-there may be negatives, as well...but most of the ones that I hear don't seem to be very well thought out.

Yes, there are positives. But the negatives outweigh them, and are very real if you've tried this in a game of significant level. I suggest you work a scrimmage or three with this mechanic (at a level higher than 10U) and you'll probably find you agree with Mike and I.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

...don't seem to be very well thought out.

My thoughts, exactly, every time I read one of Mike's posts!