Mechanics review

[CecilOne]

How do you handle this?
B slot, runner goes to 2nd on passed ball. Do you continue to C immediately or stay at 2nd and actually wait for ball back to pitcher?

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

How do you handle this?
B slot, runner goes to 2nd on passed ball. Do you continue to C immediately or stay at 2nd and actually wait for ball back to pitcher?

I know it's not standard, but I'm seeing it more lately --- I rim the infield on this play, getting to the SS side of the bag ahead of the runner (but not all the way to C yet), watching ball, pitcher primarily and watching for the touch of 2nd and/or obstruction by glancing over.

[UmpireErnie]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

I know it's not standard, but I'm seeing it more lately --- I rim the infield on this play, getting to the SS side of the bag ahead of the runner (but not all the way to C yet), watching ball, pitcher primarily and watching for the touch of 2nd and/or obstruction by glancing over.

On a PB where there will be no play on the runner coming in to 2B I do this as well. If she continues on to 3B I am ready to follow, and if there is a throw to 2B to try to pick her off rounding too far I am in the correct spot for the possible tag call as she dives back into 2B.

[HugoTafurst]

Originally Posted by UmpireErnie

On a PB where there will be no play on the runner coming in to 2B I do this as well. If she continues on to 3B I am ready to follow, and if there is a throw to 2B to try to pick her off rounding too far I am in the correct spot for the possible tag call as she dives back into 2B.

If she continues on to third, isn't that PU's coverage?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

How do you handle this?
B slot, runner goes to 2nd on passed ball. Do you continue to C immediately or stay at 2nd and actually wait for ball back to pitcher?

Stay with the runner by rounding the base. If there is going to be a play there, this will give you the perfect view of the front edge of the base.

[DRJ1960]

Does anyone cut inside behind the runner as she approaches 2nd?

[KJUmp]

Originally Posted by DRJ1960

Does anyone cut inside behind the runner as she approaches 2nd?

Not on that play.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by DRJ1960

Does anyone cut inside behind the runner as she approaches 2nd?

And step in front of a possible throw?

[DRJ1960]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

And step in front of a possible throw?

OP stipulated no possible throw.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by DRJ1960

OP stipulated no possible throw.

And the umpire would know that how? Just because there is no immediate play does not mean the catcher will not try to throw behind the runner rounding or that the pitcher will not try to pick-off the runner if she is off the base when the ball is received in the circle.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by DRJ1960

OP stipulated no possible throw.

Fair enough, but there's no such play where no throw is "possible".

I've seen clinicians teach that you reach your position you would to make a call on a sliding runner into 2nd, and if it develops to third, you continue on the inside track toward 3rd. I don't like this advice. That's an awful position for a snap return throw if she doesn't end up going for 3rd, I no longer have the ball in my peripheral vision, etc. LOTS of reasons not to do that. Staying outside keeps everything in your vision, keeps you out of the play, gives you optimum positioning for any of the possible developing plays.

(As to PU taking the throw to 3rd, if not pre-gamed, no way, and if I'm BU, that won't be part of it. I have, however, taken this in pre-game as PU, especially with older BU's, or if they've had several games and I have not.)

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by DRJ1960

OP stipulated no possible throw.

B slot, runner goes to 2nd on passed ball. Do you continue to C immediately or stay at 2nd and actually wait for ball back to pitcher?

Where?

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

B slot, runner goes to 2nd on passed ball. Do you continue to C immediately or stay at 2nd and actually wait for ball back to pitcher?

Where?

Isn't there still a possible play at 2nd until the ball is in the circle? Runners round, or step off, and defenses occasionally throw behind.

Until this play sequence has ended, you have no reason to move to an initial position for the NEXT pitch. Once the ball is in the circle, you have plenty of time to move to your next position.

Where? 90 to the possible tag (back into 2nd from 3rd) inside/out to the location of the ball..

That said, if there is no defensive player in position to make a possible play back into 2nd (they all moved on), no sense standing there pointing like a bird dog, either (unless an NCAA TV or evaluation game).

[derwil]

Originally Posted by DRJ1960

Does anyone cut inside behind the runner as she approaches 2nd?

I'll come inside....kind of. I like to come in after the runner passes, then close down to second base on a direct line from 1st. That gives a great angle for a possible pick off on an over run (90º to the tag). Watch the ball go back to P then move to the C position.

Hugo's question:

"If she continues on to third, isn't that PU's coverage?"

Maybe........Situation is single runner on first advancing to second on a PB, then to third. Have got to pre game this every time and watch for your partner. Typically, I take all single runners to third, even on PB situations. Plate umpire may be blocked, especially if the PB goes to the 3rd base side. Plate may be unable to go to third without risking getting into the play. Better to plan on covering from the base side as you don't have anything else going on.