Play at the plate - Block/Collision

[Thunderheads]

No brainer call, but .........

 

QUESTION:

On blocking plays, are we supposed to try to get 1blx for a play like this?  I know point of the plate is your starting point, but .... isn't 1blx taught for blocking plays?

 

http://wapc.mlb.com/play/?content_id=29511343&topic_id=9782246

 

http://wapc.mlb.com/play?content_id=29511343

 

 

EDITED for clarification

[johnnyg08]

Disagree. You can see both from 3BLX. We don't work MLB or MiLB where there are legitimate collisions. Furthermore, this is an ejection at any level of baseball that 99% of us on here will work.

[Thunderheads]

Disagree. You can see both from 3BLX. We don't work MLB or MiLB where there are legitimate collisions. Furthermore, this is an ejection at any level of baseball that 99% of us on here will work.

I'm asking a mechanics question .....  there's nothing to disagree with

 

It doesn't matter where this video is from ..... is it not taught that on a blocking play it's better from 1blx?  You're saying no?

[johnnyg08]

Disagree. You can see both from 3BLX. We don't work MLB or MiLB where there are legitimate collisions. Furthermore, this is an ejection at any level of baseball that 99% of us on here will work.

I'm asking a mechanics question .....  there's nothing to disagree with

 

It doesn't matter where this video is from ..... is it not taught that on a blocking play it's better from 1blx?  You're saying no?

The point or 3BLX. I don't take any of my plays from 1BLX. I can see the same thing from the point or rotating to 3BLX that I could from 1BLX. If I can't disagree, why are you asking? I saw this coming, as we don't agree on much.

[scrounge]

I guess that yes, 1BLX would have been better, but the only way to get there in time once it was evident it was a blocking play vs a potential catch and swipe is to have been no more counterclockwise than point of plate. For the vast majority of plays, that might lead to a screen or suboptimal angle. In this case, it would have been better, but I think that's hindsight to be honest. Very good odds say go 3BLX...sometimes, you roll snake eyes.

[Thunderheads]

 

 

Disagree. You can see both from 3BLX. We don't work MLB or MiLB where there are legitimate collisions. Furthermore, this is an ejection at any level of baseball that 99% of us on here will work.

I'm asking a mechanics question .....  there's nothing to disagree with

 

It doesn't matter where this video is from ..... is it not taught that on a blocking play it's better from 1blx?  You're saying no?

 

The point or 3BLX. I don't take any of my plays from 1BLX. I can see the same thing from the point or rotating to 3BLX that I could from 1BLX. If I can't disagree, why are you asking? I saw this coming, as we don't agree on much.

 

Actually Johnny, I value your input and like to read what you have to say, ....all the time.   The only thing I ever remember not agreeing with you on is the Unequal chest protector, so if that is what you're referring to, then so be it.  Sorry you feel that way

 

So what you're saying is ...........in response to my initial post;  ......   "No Jeff, not necessarily" ??  If so, ...ok that's fine .... I guess I didn't expect anyone to use the term "I disagree" as I was asking how it's taught.

 

Looking at it again ...........I'm going to re-word my initial post, .... that's probably the problem

[mstaylor]

I will  disagree with Johnny completely, which I might add isn't often. 3BLX is behind the catcher and you will see nothing. 90% of the plays can be from there but occasionally you have to adjust. Here 1BLX or 1BL does the same thing. PU did what he was supposed to do, realized he wasn't going to see squat and adjusted to his right. When I teach plate mechanics I teach that the only rule for taking plays is there are no rules. I do teach POP and generally adjust to 3BLX for almost everything. However, 1BLX is a viable choice for certain plays. Also when we talk about where to go, rarely is how far along that line to be, that is a very huge variable. 

Johnny, what is your aversion to 1BLX? It allows you to see both the tag and touch of the plate. 

[Haid D' Salaami]

The thing is you ned to put your self in between the fielder and the runner.. on this play, 1blx would have been great.. Baker was blocked out and didnt see anything

 

Its like a pie...or a wedge... fielder on right runner on left umpire in the middle, this will enable you to see the tag.

Disagree. You can see both from 3BLX. We don't work MLB or MiLB where there are legitimate collisions. Furthermore, this is an ejection at any level of baseball that 99% of us on here will work.

I'l disagree.. no way Baker saw that tag.. he just called him out because of the collision.

[Haid D' Salaami]

Go to 4:43 and look.. no way he see's that tag.

[KLAH316]

I think he set up there so he wouldn't step in all the gum on the ground....  

[blue23ll]

He was set up in the absolute worst place to see that play, and he could have been knocked over as well.

[johnnyg08]

As we've discussed on here before, on a collision, it's an out if he maintains possession. We're not picking up the "no tag" portion of the stick.

I'm not going 1BLX on my plays because I will have an out and ejection anyway at the levels that I work. 1BLX doesn't give me anything that 3BLX or the point can't or rotating out counter clockwise.

[johnnyg08]

Johnny, what is your aversion to 1BLX? It allows you to see both the tag and touch of the plate.

You can often see both from 1BLX. I agree. But the timing of what got where first (tag or foot) is what is tough unless you're looking straight on.

[mstaylor]

 

Johnny, what is your aversion to 1BLX? It allows you to see both the tag and touch of the plate.

You can often see both from 1BLX. I agree. But the timing of what got where first (tag or foot) is what is tough unless you're looking straight on.

 

I am not understanding your meaning. 

[johnnyg08]

I agree with what you're saying, but the reason I don't take that angle on any play is because when the entire play is not coming right at me, I struggle with my judgment when it comes to what came first the tag of the runner or the foot gettin g the plate.

I prefer the straight ahead look versus the perpendicular. I've been successful with that mechanic...it may not work for some of you on here, but it works for me.

Also, what some of you are saying about ideally for this exact play 1BLX is ideal, I also agree with that. But at the levels I work, I play my percentages and avoid 1BLX unless I make a mistake and end up there.

[mstaylor]

An interesting thought, I just struggle to see how you can see the play at all. If it works, great, I just wouldn't teach it. It's like me and scissors. I am in a very small minority, it is unstable, hard to learn but for me, I love it. I don't teach others or suggest they move to it but I can certainly help somebody that uses it. 

[johnnyg08]

I guess my question would be "How would there not be a tag?"

On a play like that (minus the illegal collision) We check for possession of the ball and we call the out. There's nothing else to see.

If I take this play how I'd like to take it, I'd rotate into fair territory to verify possession of the ball, it's still a better angle than 1BLX since I still can't see if the ball comes out looking through the runner's body and catcher's body.

Again, this is all assuming that I don't have an illegal collision which ends it all anyway.

[Haid D' Salaami]

It's not a better angle, your just not wanting to change your maybe do it the way its being taught.. its taught that way for a reason, and that puts us in the best spot to see the tag/ foot getting in...