2-Man Dead Ball on Fly

[LittleBlue]

I worked a JV scrimmage today at a field that has about 15 feet of room between the foul lines and a dead ball line that runs parallel to it. My question is what is the proper mechanic for fly balls that are close to the dead ball line when F3 is going for the catch? Is this PU or BU's call? As the BU, I know anything past 1st would be my call, but if it's close is it PU's? We didn't have a problem during the game because the PU took all balls on the dead ball line. If this is the case, would the BU go into fair territory or stay foul? Maybe I'm thinking too much into it and messing myself up.

[maven]

11 minutes ago, LittleBlue said:

I worked a JV scrimmage today at a field that has about 15 feet of room between the foul lines and a dead ball line that runs parallel to it. My question is what is the proper mechanic for fly balls that are close to the dead ball line when F3 is going for the catch? Is this PU or BU's call? As the BU, I know anything past 1st would be my call, but if it's close is it PU's? We didn't have a problem during the game because the PU took all balls on the dead ball line. If this is the case, would the BU go into fair territory or stay foul? Maybe I'm thinking too much into it and messing myself up.

Answered your own question. The "dead ball line" and "close" have nothing to do with it: it's a fair/foul, catch/no catch call, and the mechanic is what you describe.

In practice, PU keys off BU. If BU comes in, pivots, and takes the runner, PU has to take the ball, and vice versa (well, PU won't pivot). BU should verbalize if he takes the ball.

[LittleBlue]

@maven so if the ball is popped up between home and 1st, I wouldn't come in a pivot right, so would I just move into fair territory as if to make a call at 1st?

[krwill96]

Pop up=pivot. Any ball you don't go out on and it's a pop up pivot. Obviously if it's to the left side, be careful in pivoting so you don't take a ball to the backside of your head. Read the play in these instances.  

If the ball is clearly foul and no possibility in being fair, go with the fielder to get another set of eyes on that ball as it comes down for catch/no catch. In play vs out of play. Especially if there's a net or something that the ball might hit, you might see it when the PU doesn't. 

[LittleBlue]

OK that's what I was trying to understand. If it's popped up and has no chance of being fair, go with F3. Thanks!

[celt62]

Pause, read, react.  Check the flight of the ball first, then watch the fielder and mirror him but at an angle.  Don't get too close. If it's before first base in foul territory you and the PU bracket the fielder.  If the ball goes past first, it's all yours (basic mechanics) and the PU comes in and takes the BR.  If the catch is made while facing you before first base it's your call.  Anything but facing you it's the PU's call.  After the catch check feet position for "catch and carry" especially if dead ball territory is as close as you described.  That could mean additional base awards.  Go over this in pregame.  Nothing looks worse than a double call.

[krwill96]

@Celt62 everything you said is great but in the OP it is two man with no one on so the catch and carry wouldn't apply. In 3 man with R1, you wouldn't go unless it's behind the bag as you have other responsibilities correct? 

[noumpere]

36 minutes ago, krwill96 said:

@Celt62 everything you said is great but in the OP it is two man with no one on so the catch and carry wouldn't apply. In 3 man with R1, you wouldn't go unless it's behind the bag as you have other responsibilities correct? 

You could still go if the ball is obviously foul.  (If it's close, don't give up the line).

 

If the ball is not caught, nothing can happen with R1.  If the ball is caught, it's only one runner, and U3 can handle that.

[krwill96]

Alright. I don't do much three man and was curious. So the 3bu in C would read the play and slide over in case of a back pick on R1 then. 

[noumpere]

11 hours ago, krwill96 said:

Alright. I don't do much three man and was curious. So the 3bu in C would read the play and slide over in case of a back pick on R1 then. 

Yes, unless U3 wants to make the call from deep B or deep C and get chewed out.