Mechanics Question

[GaryBarrentine]

Scott,

Sorry, I will change the question.

What I ment to ask was leaving before the pitch leaves the hand.

Thanks

GaryB

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by GaryBarrentine

Scott,

Sorry, I will change the question.

What I ment to ask was leaving before the pitch leaves the hand.

Thanks

GaryB

Yep. Argodad is correct. BU has call on both in this situation.

[Andy]

As a practical matter in this situation, you don't want to call the runner at first for leaving early unless it is very obvious. Being in the C position a good distance from the runner at first, you don't have a lot of credibility on that call.

Also, from an advantage/disadvantage perspective, the runner at third has a lot more to gain by getting an extra step or two toward home. It could be the difference between scoring or not on a suicide squeeze play or an infield grounder.

BU should be watching both runners, but more focus should be on the runner at third.

[SRW]

Originally Posted by Andy

As a practical matter in this situation, you don't want to call the runner at first for leaving early unless it is very obvious. Being in the C position a good distance from the runner at first, you don't have a lot of credibility on that call.

Also, from an advantage/disadvantage perspective, the runner at third has a lot more to gain by getting an extra step or two toward home. It could be the difference between scoring or not on a suicide squeeze play or an infield grounder.

BU should be watching both runners, but more focus should be on the runner at third.

I'll play devil's advocate for a second and say that I believe the BU's attention in this instance should be more on R2 at 1B rather than R1 at 3B. Even with the distance away from 1B, which runner's the likely one to want to get a jump on advancing? Which one is likely advancing anyway? Coaches are going to send R2 to 2B almost every time. I can't count the number of times I've had to call R2 out leaving early because she just got the steal sign, and was overly anxious to get to 2B.

Plus when the BU is to the right shoulder of F6, I believe that there's a better viewing angle through F1 to see R2 leaving 1B... better than having to turn your head to the right to see R1 at 3B.

Now once R2 gets to 2B, and you have R2 on 2B and R1 still on 3B, then yes, I agree that now the BU's attention should be more focused on R1.

Discussion?

[charliej47]

In pre-game conf, I always try to tell my partner that as PU i will take third when there is one on first. After the runner moves to second, then the BU has the responsibility

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by charliej47

In pre-game conf, I always try to tell my partner that as PU i will take third when there is one on first. After the runner moves to second, then the BU has the responsibility

You must have extreme peripheral vision to focus on the pitcher and see a runner leaving 3rd; not to mention being straightlined by the runner to the base.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by charliej47

In pre-game conf, I always try to tell my partner that as PU i will take third when there is one on first. After the runner moves to second, then the BU has the responsibility

If you are tracking the pitch properly, and doing the other duties that you already have (making sure the pitcher is legally, watching for a swing/check, seeing if the batter is in the box when she makes contact...etc.), this just isn't possible. If you were to tell me that in a pregame, that is exactly what I would tell you if I were your BU. Leave the call that belongs to the BU to the BU.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by SRW

I'll play devil's advocate for a second and say that I believe the BU's attention in this instance should be more on R2 at 1B rather than R1 at 3B. Even with the distance away from 1B, which runner's the likely one to want to get a jump on advancing? Which one is likely advancing anyway? Coaches are going to send R2 to 2B almost every time.

But how often do you actually see an attempt to get R2 out on the steal? Most of this type of play that I see, there is no throw or a throw with the intention of an immediate return throw to F2 if R1 tries for home.

Originally Posted by SRW

Now once R2 gets to 2B, and you have R2 on 2B and R1 still on 3B, then yes, I agree that now the BU's attention should be more focused on R1.

I disagree. In this situation, I want to keep equal focus on each runner. R1 for the reasons I stated earlier. On a base hit, a step or two from R2 could be the difference in scoring or not. I think both runners deserve equal attention in this case.

Hey, you asked for discussion!