Oregon versus Nebraska

[shipwreck]

I was watching the first game of this Super Regional and saw this positioning and wanted input. Runner on second, trying to steal third. Nebraska catcher throws to third and gets the out. Can someone tell me why in this situation the 3U stayed in foul ground at about the coaches box in a direct line from the 2nd to 3rd baseline extended? Is this so they wouldn't be in the way if the throw was errant? No 90 degree there. Is this what we are supposed to do in this situation? Personally I would think you would take a few steps into fair territory to get the 90. Just wondering.
Dave

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by shipwreck

I was watching the first game of this Super Regional and saw this positioning and wanted input. Runner on second, trying to steal third. Nebraska catcher throws to third and gets the out. Can someone tell me why in this situation the 3U stayed in foul ground at about the coaches box in a direct line from the 2nd to 3rd baseline extended? Is this so they wouldn't be in the way if the throw was errant? No 90 degree there. Is this what we are supposed to do in this situation? Personally I would think you would take a few steps into fair territory to get the 90. Just wondering.
Dave

Generally, but it depends on the positioning of the fielder taking the throw. With an F5 taking it in front of the base, reaching "back" to tag, that angle might be better. With F6 taking the throw, throwing lane might be a concern, errant or not.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by shipwreck

I was watching the first game of this Super Regional and saw this positioning and wanted input. Runner on second, trying to steal third. Nebraska catcher throws to third and gets the out. Can someone tell me why in this situation the 3U stayed in foul ground at about the coaches box in a direct line from the 2nd to 3rd baseline extended? Is this so they wouldn't be in the way if the throw was errant? No 90 degree there. Is this what we are supposed to do in this situation? Personally I would think you would take a few steps into fair territory to get the 90. Just wondering.
Dave

IMO, this isn't bad if there is a sweep tag and the runner does not come straight into the base.

It is bad because to start, you are too close to the play if the throw is not precise. If the runner comes in straight, and the defender drops to block the base, you need to move real quick to be able to see any tag, or missed tag because you are not going to see through the fielder. You may also have an eager coach with which to deal.

I agree with you, Dave. A step fair would be perfect, IMO.

[shipwreck]

As a side note, I am just so glad the Lady Huskers are going to the WCWS. The announcers were so pro Ducks before and during the series. I don't put much stock in what they say, but come on, don't be so obvious in who you want to win. Dave, always a Husker fan.

[shagpal]

I'm wondering about the umpire rotation for the series. Shouldn't the plate umpire for the 3rd game be not behind the plate in the 1st or 2nd game?

[shipwreck]

Same thought here. Let's see, 3 games, 3 umpires. I wouldn't think it would take too much thought for there to be a different PU for each game. Dave

[chapmaja]

The same thing happened in the Super Regional between Michigan and ULL in Ann Arbor.

The same plate umpire, who I have personally met previously, worked the 1st and 3rd games behind the plate. He was at 1b for the second game.

I don't understand why each umpire did not work one game behind the plate, UNLESS, the NCAA uses some sort of rating system to assign umpires to positions. Maybe only 2 of the 3 umpires were rated to work the plate at this level, so when game 3 happened, they reverted to the game 1 positions.

[EsqUmp]

Originally Posted by shipwreck

I was watching the first game of this Super Regional and saw this positioning and wanted input. Runner on second, trying to steal third. Nebraska catcher throws to third and gets the out. Can someone tell me why in this situation the 3U stayed in foul ground at about the coaches box in a direct line from the 2nd to 3rd baseline extended? Is this so they wouldn't be in the way if the throw was errant? No 90 degree there. Is this what we are supposed to do in this situation? Personally I would think you would take a few steps into fair territory to get the 90. Just wondering.
Dave

Same theory as going 3BL extended on plays at the plate anytime the catcher has to reach for the ball and swipe the tag. Based on where most 3rd baseman play, especially with R3 on 3rd base, they will almost always cut the ball before it reaches the base and then have to swipe the tag. Standing in fair territory may not allow the umpire to see through the play.

[KJUmp]

Originally Posted by shipwreck

I was watching the first game of this Super Regional and saw this positioning and wanted input. Runner on second, trying to steal third. Nebraska catcher throws to third and gets the out. Can someone tell me why in this situation the 3U stayed in foul ground at about the coaches box in a direct line from the 2nd to 3rd baseline extended? Is this so they wouldn't be in the way if the throw was errant? No 90 degree there. Is this what we are supposed to do in this situation? Personally I would think you would take a few steps into fair territory to get the 90. Just wondering.
Dave

Both of those calling positions for U3 on a steal at 3rd are listed in the Manual for the reasons other members have posted.