F9 to F3 When in A

[Sut'n Blue]

BU in A with a seemingly clean hit to right field except F9 throws to first in an attempt to get BR. Your back is toward F9 as you come in to pivot so you don't know it's happening and these can be real whackers so what's a good way to avoid getting caught flat-footed on this so you don't have to make the call while moving?

[Replacematt]

Know where F9 is before the pitch. You should also be keeping an eye on the ball as it's traveling to F9. If you're pivoting as he has the ball, you're too early.

[Richvee]

 I get them often in 14u games. I find it pretty easy to come in and pivot and pick up the ball. To me it's obvious when there's going to be a play at 1st by just watching the play develop. Coming in and pivoting puts you in a pretty good position to see the play at 1st. Close to a 90 degree angle from the throw to the bag to me. Twice from "c" today, again easy to move across the working area towards 1st to get the good angle. 

 

Had three 9-3 putouts today. Twice was with 2 outs and go ahead run on 3rd in a tie game in the 6th and again in the 7th inning. One earlier with the bases empty. F9 playing shallow for that play all day. Then, bottom 8, 2 out R2, line drive to right. This time 10 feet over F9's head for the game winning hit. "Real" outfield depth and it's the 3rd out. I know we aren't supposed to "root" for teams,  but I had a smile on the inside when I saw that liner sail over F9's head. 

[MadMax]

The ball takes you to the play, thus, your eyes should be on the ball on a hot-shot grounder past F4, a liner to F9, or a routine fly to F9. Read F9. If you're in A, you have F9 to line anyway, so if a ball arcs towards you, it will likely cause F9 to make a play on it, which means you're going out to rule on it. You won't be pivoting.

 

Again, by reading F9, you'll recognize whether or not he's going to attempt to field-and-throw to 1B. I've seen some BU's move to a spot approximately at the 1BC box. I've also seen some (and I'm an employer of this) of taking two steps towards F9 along the foul line, and reading the throw as if it was a steal attempt of 2B. Thrown ball should pass by you and turn your face, and as it passes, take 1 step into fair territory off the line. Set up, read the arrival of the BR and the arrival of the throw.

 

Now here's where some umpires have pre-gamed, discussed, or been clinic-taught to coordinate with their PU. In the event of a play like this, if there's an overthrow or mishandled ball, you the BU are to stay where you are and watch the ball, then progress to HP if necessary. PU will then take the BR to 2B and on to 3B if the BR bolts for it.

[Richvee]

The ball takes you to the play, thus, your eyes should be on the ball on a hot-shot grounder past F4, a liner to F9, or a routine fly to F9. Read F9. If you're in A, you have F9 to line anyway, so if a ball arcs towards you, it will likely cause F9 to make a play on it, which means you're going out to rule on it. You won't be pivoting.

 

Again, by reading F9, you'll recognize whether or not he's going to attempt to field-and-throw to 1B. I've seen some BU's move to a spot approximately at the 1BC box. I've also seen some (and I'm an employer of this) of taking two steps towards F9 along the foul line, and reading the throw as if it was a steal attempt of 2B. Thrown ball should pass by you and turn your face, and as it passes, take 1 step into fair territory off the line. Set up, read the arrival of the BR and the arrival of the throw.

 

Now here's where some umpires have pre-gamed, discussed, or been clinic-taught to coordinate with their PU. In the event of a play like this, if there's an overthrow or mishandled ball, you the BU are to stay where you are and watch the ball, then progress to HP if necessary. PU will then take the BR to 2B and on to 3B if the BR bolts for it.

Great recommendations for F9 toward the line and trouble balls. For some reason all I was thinking of were groundballs through the hole and obvious line drive "singles" where you're pivoting. 

[JaxRolo]

Had this play last night. Watch this he ball and listen to what's going on. You can hear others yelling"one one one"

I took a couple steps foul and banged him out

[NovaScotiaBlue]

@JaxRolo...And (in a 2 man system) who takes the runner @ second if there is an overthrow? 

[kylejt]

As a PU, if I see my partner is trapped in foul territory, I'm busting out toward second, to the SS side of the mound, IF there's no other runners on. By the book, perhaps not. But that's what I'm doing.

[noumpere]

@JaxRolo...And (in a 2 man system) who takes the runner @ second if there is an overthrow? 

 

Who takes the runner to second whenever BU is "trapped?"

 

PU.  Come up the line as you would to help with pulled foot or swipe tag, then head up to second if there's an overthrow.  BU now takes the ball.

 

On the OP -- if you read it, you usually have time to bust inside to take the play.  You can't stand there, though, and watch the ball as it's hit through the infield until it gets to F9 and then decide to pivot.  While, yes, you need to "pause read and react" there's not much of the first two on a clean hit.  And, if it's not a clean hit then it's likely trouble and maybe you should be out.

[Majordave]

I has this twice yesterday with younger HS age players. Once ball is past infielders, you have to be tracking ball, bust in and pivot while keeping eyes on ball. See it. Call it. The keys are hustle and eyes on the ball.

[Jocko]

First, read your defenders BEFORE the pitch. Know if there's a shift. Know EXACTLY where F9 is.

Second, the op mentions a seemingly obvious base hit. Normally we'll be going inside to pivot. (This is where knowing F9's location is vital) if the ball is where you think theres a possibility of F9-F3, BUST ASS inside and assume your normal duties.

Now, if F9 is playing shallow, sometimes you wont have time to get inside. Hot shot to him (especially in younger age groups) will almost be a routine putout attempt at 1B. If F9 is shallow or shading the line and the ball is smoked to him, your best option is to move into foul ground and keep your eye on the ball. If he's in 'normal' F9 positioning, there's really no reason NOT to bust it in and pivot.

Pregame is critical. If you're working with a partner you know and trust, he's going to automatically be moving anyway. He should be prepared to take BR from first on around. A quick glance will tell you everything you need to know. Communication is key. HP should verbalize his intentions. "I've got the runner"

Now, be prepared for a partner to be flat footed. If he DOESN'T take the runner, you've Reallygot to bust it to get into the working are on an overthrow.

On the other side of the same coin, you as HP should be prepared to move in if your partner gets stranded on this play. Now YOU verbalize your intentions. "I'VE GOT THE RUNNER"

So many crews are too quiet out there. It's ok to talk to each other during a play, just to be sure everyone is on the same page.

Hope this helps.

[gclg2000]

BU in A with a seemingly clean hit to right field except F9 throws to first in an attempt to get BR. Your back is toward F9 as you come in to pivot so you don't know it's happening and these can be real whackers so what's a good way to avoid getting caught flat-footed on this so you don't have to make the call while moving?

 

How about keeping your eye on the ball.  What are you watching while running into the infield anyways?

[Thunderheads]

Pause read and react........I had a showcase tourney this past weekend and the last game Sunday ended on a shot to right field ( 4 man) ....I knew it was a shot and could tell F9 was coming up firing.... And the game ended on a banger at first from F9! <br /><br />Pause, read and react.....know whats going on... .you'll be fine! :-)

[Haid D' Salaami]

BU in A with a seemingly clean hit to right field except F9 throws to first in an attempt to get BR. Your back is toward F9 as you come in to pivot so you don't know it's happening and these can be real whackers so what's a good way to avoid getting caught flat-footed on this so you don't have to make the call while moving?

1st problem... your back is towards the ball.... always, i say again always keep your chest to the ball.