60 ft. diamond mechanics???

[Dbellyflop]

just worked my first Major LL division game. BU spent a lot of time in C. with lots of balls hit to outfield. every time ball was hit i would read the ball, wait for R2 to pass then go to the working area, watching for touches. but always seemed like i ended up in the way as the ball came back to the IF.  is this just what happens in 60 ft. diamonds or is there a better place to go?

 

Thanks,

[blue23ll]

You were the BU, multiple runners on, in the C position? Working the 60' diamond is tough, the field and kids are small, and we are big. You have to have your head on a swivel, watch where the ball is and glance at the runners. Then, move to the 90' field as soon as possible.

[BillKen]

When I drop down for LL majors to make some extra cash, I always work outside when I'm the BU.  Its easier to bust inside when needed and there are rarely plays make me uncomfortable doing this.  I did a 50/70 game last week and felt a little awkward inside but I stayed there.  

[BuckeyeMike]

Chest to ball.  Anticipate the throws.  Head on a swivel. 

[Dbellyflop]

always started outside then went inside if the ball was hit to outfield.  just seemed that as i was watching for touches(swiveling, glancing) as i went inside, that i ended up in the way on throws coming from  gap to gap...

just need to keep working and hustling...

 

Thanks,

[elares]

This is what happens on the 60' diamond.  That is the right place to go.  

Chest-to-ball and head-on-a-swivel are so important at this player age group and below.  They are not trying  to hit you with the ball, but sometimes it's hard to believe

[labguy1971]

Dbellyflop, on 06 Apr 2015 - 12:58 AM, said:

always started outside then went inside if the ball was hit to outfield.  just seemed that as i was watching for touches(swiveling, glancing) as i went inside, that i ended up in the way on throws coming from  gap to gap...

just need to keep working and hustling...

 

Thanks,

Sounds like you are doing everything right.  Keep at it.

[stevis]

Yep, this is the drill.   Read the play while in the working area, slide out of the way of the throws.  Stay with the ball, let it take you to the play.

[blue23ll]

Hint: Move to 90' ASAP. 

[ZebraStripes]

Dizzy Dean mechanics have us in the standard inside B and C positions, no matter the field size.

[Ump29]

Dizzy Dean mechanics have us in the standard inside B and C positions, no matter the field size.

Bad idea on 60' diamond.

[Dbellyflop]

LL you are outside to see the runners, if they leave early.... also some of those 12 year olds can hit....

@blue23ll i am doing some 90 ft. games, we have only 6 teams at that level and 50 teams on the small diamond.....

[ScubaUmp]

READ/CRASH!!!!!!!!!!!! No time to pause,...small field. Let the plate guy get the non-trouble balls to the outfield, but he needs to make it to the front edge of the mound in the direction of the ball. HEAD ON A SWIVEL, It might end up in your ear, and is probably not going to where you think it should go.

[ZebraStripes]

 

Dizzy Dean mechanics have us in the standard inside B and C positions, no matter the field size.

Bad idea on 60' diamond.

 

probably, but when they specifically tell us that the PU has the leaving early call on a R2 in 10U then you are sure that is where they want the BU.  Most of my games are at least the 70 foot bases with the 12U 

[ALStripes17]

Dizzy Dean mechanics have us in the standard inside B and C positions, no matter the field size.

Bad idea on 60' diamond.

probably, but when they specifically tell us that the PU has the leaving early call on a R2 in 10U then you are sure that is where they want the BU. Most of my games are at least the 70 foot bases with the 12U

WTF?!?

PU is tracking pitches. Shouldn't be giving me things to look at simultaneously.

Next thing ya know, we will have to see if the batter's foot is out of the box when he makes contact :P

[ZebraStripes]

I guess the fact that there are so many strikes....