Working Alone.. one of those plays

[snorman75]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

Working alone sucks, but I would question heading up the third base line on a ball to the OF. Your better angle is going to be up the first base line MOST of the time. Especially for watching multiple bases. From up the 3BL, your peripheral angle to see home and 3rd at the same time is huge. From up the 1BL, it's tiny and you're still in a great spot for a call at home.

That said, you can get straightlined from ANYWHERE. The key is to see it coming and move. You should try to never be in the same line as the throw, first off.

And then ... with THAT said - you could still be straightlined. So to answer that part of your question, I believe you need to take everything you can into account and give it proper weight. I would have been relying on sound on this play if possible - you can usually hear the ball hit the glove and see the runner - and make a call from that. I would heavily discount the reaction of the fielder unless they react as if the runner was safe... and I would discount the reaction of the runner unless they react as if they were out.

Love this idea!!! I am going to try this.. being a basketball official also, I will not lie I just can't put players behind me. I think being up the first baseline will greatly lessen the chance of being strait lined. But no way can I put home plate behind me. For me you have to see the run score and now you have turned your back to the whole field and the ball.

As for how this all set up, it was modified, so F6 was not thinking about cutting a throw off, F8 had already gunned one home the last inning in same situation, so my read was no question coming home. Also in that this was the first time F4 covered second all game...

Last point.. I know our schools and leagues are really hurting for money. We better get use to going one man games. Our baseball board does one man games at the JV level. How I do not know, but I feel for those guys.