Help me understand the BU positioning on this play

[Big Slick]

Originally Posted by youngump

R1 on 1st, B2 hits a liner to center. F8 fields it on a hop and throws to second catching R1 rounding too far. R1 starts to go back and then instead moves toward third. The rundown is on and PU comes up to get the third base end of it.

Here's what I did and why I think it's not right. So on the hit I button hooked in and cheated toward second. So at this point I'm probably about 10 feet in and just a little bit off the line between home and second. This felt good for the throw in and I think would have been a good place to adjust to the play at second if it had occurred and been close (by moving toward the 1B-2B line). Since it turned into a run down, I ended up moving to bracket the run by moving toward third and toward left field a little. R1 gets tagged toward 3rd and PU makes the call. At this point, I convinced myself I didn't like what I had done because at no point was I really aware of BR2 (who inexplicably did not go to second on this play). But if she had gone to second, I don't know that I would have been at all in good shape to make that call. So what should I have done.

First question: if R1 is thrown out at 3rd without a run down, who's call is it? The correct answer is PU. My question to you then, why are you moving towards third at anytime during this play? Unless your partner doesn't cover his responsibilities (and then you can have a talk after the game).

Ok, so here is how I see this play: you move inside on the hit, and are prepared to take a throw at 2nd. You watch R1 round 2nd and move toward 3rd, you still have to be aware of R1 back into 2nd and BR now at 1st and/or 2nd. Where was the original throw? That is needed information in how to READ this play. Was the throw directly to 3rd or behind R1 into 2nd? I'll assume the throw was into 3rd and the rundown commences . . .

Now, as a general rule for all run downs - STOP! The best thing to do is NOTHING. Just don't move. It may be "ideal" to bracket, but you already have someone on both ends. You should have been in an adjusted called position at 2nd watching BR as R1 is now PU's responsibility. He is on one side, you are at 2nd on the other. Why move at all? Just get some distance and watch the play - tags, obstructions, etc. Even if BR decides to take 2nd after the out, you are in the calling position. If there is a throw back to first (good luck!), the position affords you to move parallel with the baseline and you can make the best call you can make.


Adjust when absolutely necessary. Even when you are by yourself, i.e. BU covering a rundown between 1st and 2nd, the best thing to do is just "don't move."