Overthrows at 1B

[MikeSafari]

I've noticed that I've been caught out a couple of times in the past week on plays at 1B where I read a true throw that somehow squeaks its way through F3 and the BR turns and heads to second.

For example, I start from P2 (not sure of the US terminology for this; but behind 1B). There's a ball hit to F6 who charges, scoops it, and throws over to F3. While he's charging, I'm heading out to get my 90-degree angle, watching for the throw, and coming set facing 1B when I read it true.

However, twice yesterday the supposedly true throw was dropped or otherwise simply missed by F3 and rolled all the way over to the fence, with the BR reading this and hightailing it over to 2B. Both times, I waited for the runner to get slightly in front of me and just booted it over to the cutout near 2B.

I feel like I was way out of position on this, but I can't find anything to say where I should actually be.

What do you guys do? Same as me or something different?

[noumpere]

If you can beat BR to the inside, do so.

You don't stop reading the throw / results as soon as you read it as true -- you keep reading and as soon as you see it's missed begin heading inside.  If BR doesn't go, you're ready for any play back into first and / or heading to B (or whatever you call it in Canada) which is your next position anyway.

[Richvee]

Perhaps you're starting too far back behind 1st and taking it to the 90 spot too far away? What I mean is, if you're closer to the bag in your starting point behind 1st, just a few steps right puts you at 90 degrees to the throw. Now if the throw skips past F3, chances are the BR has overrun 1B by a few steps before he turns for 2nd. This should give you ample time to get inside ahead of the BR and get to a spot for a play at 2nd. 

It was pointed out to me in an evaluation last year that I was too far back in A. I was basically running all out to get to a spot for calls at 1st. Maybe it's the same for you. Move closer to the bag at your starting point, and it's a lot quicker to the 90, and not as deep, so getting inside ahead of the runner is easier. 

[grayhawk]

The instant that ball squirts by F3, you should be busting inside while keeping an eye on the ball and the runner.  Trust your partner to take the overthrow.  If you react at the same time as the BR, you should be able to stay in front of him.  Where should you be for the call?  Ideally at the second base cutout.  Short of that, get as close to the cutout as you can, making sure you are set for the play.

[maven]

If BR doesn't go, you're ready for any play back into first and / or heading to B (or whatever you call it in Canada) which is your next position anyway.

​It's B, eh?

[Kevin_K]

Perhaps you're starting too far back behind 1st and taking it to the 90 spot too far away? What I mean is, if you're closer to the bag in your starting point behind 1st, just a few steps right puts you at 90 degrees to the throw. Now if the throw skips past F3, chances are the BR has overrun 1B by a few steps before he turns for 2nd. This should give you ample time to get inside ahead of the BR and get to a spot for a play at 2nd. 

It was pointed out to me in an evaluation last year that I was too far back in A. I was basically running all out to get to a spot for calls at 1st. Maybe it's the same for you. Move closer to the bag at your starting point, and it's a lot quicker to the 90, and not as deep, so getting inside ahead of the runner is easier. 

​Just make sure to keep proper distance behind F3 so as to avoid any tangles on balls hit down 1B line.

[noumpere]

​It's B, eh?

​It's like the old joke that they named Canada by drawing tiled from a scrabble game.

 

"It;s a C, eh?"

"It's an N, eh?"

"It's a D, eh?"

[johnnyg08]

​Just make sure to keep proper distance behind F3 so as to avoid any tangles on balls hit down 1B line.

​There's no need to get too deep though.  Read the player and not the ball and you'll be fine a few feet behind him.  

I've noticed several of my partners this year working way, way too deep in A.

[conbo61]

​It's B, eh?

Maybe it's different because of the metric system.

[maineump]

​There's no need to get too deep though.  Read the player and not the ball and you'll be fine a few feet behind him.  

I've noticed several of my partners this year working way, way too deep in A.

​ I use a few feet behind first baseman if he is playing deep and I move up with him, getting around 10 feet from 1B at the closest to the plate. This gives me good angles, and ample chance to avoid players and runners. If the ball is popped up on your line, you need to check/watch the 1B to make sure he clears you to make the catch, then pick up the ball. He will lead you to it, just like a catcher will.

[Richvee]

​There's no need to get too deep though.  Read the player and not the ball and you'll be fine a few feet behind him.  

I've noticed several of my partners this year working way, way too deep in A.

​That's what I was told when I was evaluated. When F3 is playing deep, a few feet behind him is fine. Move up with him, never closer than 10 feet or so from the bag.