2 man play at 3b

[Richvee]

Some years ago at a 2 man clinic an instructor was telling us about taking steps to get on the outfield side of third base when your only runner is r3 and he heads home on a passed ball, or any trailing runner rounds third and heads home. Just in case something happens and the runner retreats you’re in a great spot.
 

I’ve always tried to do this but it has never amounted to anything but a longer run back to “A” after the runner scored…..until today. 

r2 only. Stealing on the pitch, wild pitch bounces far from F 2. r2 rounds 3rd and heads home. As he does, I head to the back side of 3b. A hustling  F2 gets to the ball, and fires a strike to f1 covering home. R2 reversed course and heads back to third, F1 fires to third, and I’m in the wedge on the back side of 3b in foul territory for a great look at the play coming right at me! I see the tag, bang  the out. 3B coach looks up, and says “ I’ve never seen a base umpire there in a two man crew”. I said “ thank you”. 
 

Very cool feeling when those “ post pitch” / “post base runner” steps work out. 

[Catch18]

I can’t like this enough!!! Great awareness. Great use of positioning to our advantage.

What’s the old montage? Angle over distance. I HATE that adage. I know, I know. It’s always said in the frame of “if you have to pick one.” That’s lazy — we should be shooting for both! Sometimes we can only get one. I’m talking about trying to get both.

I think far too many of us amateur umpires use that as a crutch & way out of hustling and getting on plays. I’m always challenging myself to move. This is sports and athletics. We should be moving…..and I don’t think we give enough credit to widening our “working area” well beyond what the book says.

[Richvee]

8 minutes ago, Catch18 said:

I can’t like this enough!!! Great awareness. Great use of positioning to our advantage.

What’s the old montage? Angle over distance. I HATE that adage. I know, I know. It’s always said in the frame of “if you have to pick one.” That’s lazy — we should be shooting for both! Sometimes we can only get one. I’m talking about trying to get both.

I think far too many of us amateur umpires use that as a crutch & way out of hustling and getting on plays. I’m always challenging myself to move. This is sports and athletics. We should be moving…..and I don’t think we give enough credit to widening our “working area” well beyond what the book says.

I love to challenge myself when I’ve got one base runner….. Beat the runner to second to be on top of a play on the BR, get outside of 3b ona bases empty triple or r2 only tag up. 

Obviously we’ve got to play that angle over distance game more often with multiple runners, but there’s never a good reason to be flat footed anywhere on the field. 

[Catch18]

I love to challenge myself when I’ve got one base runner….. Beat the runner to second to be on top of a play on the BR, get outside of 3b ona bases empty triple or r2 only tag up. 

Obviously we’ve got to play that angle over distance game more often with multiple runners, but there’s never a good reason to be flat footed anywhere on the field. 

My last reply was rather excited, more context here. Yes, with 1 runner mostly we’d apply this. Multiple runners, not so much for obvious reasons.

How on a clean double w/ 1 runner are we not completely in the cutout with a great view….so many are content with basically shallow B because it’s in the working area…meh.

I once brought up the clean triple with no one on to our mechanics interp. Thought I could impress a former AAA crew chief . He advised not to - if that runner decided last-second to change direction and head back to 2nd, we’d be caught chasing a 17 year old and be way out of position. Besides, the cutout of 3B with read-steps in/around/beside can be a great view.

#awaywithangleoverdistance

[Richvee]

8 hours ago, Catch18 said:

He advised not to - if that runner decided last-second to change direction and head back to 2nd, we’d be caught chasing a 17 year old and be way out of position. Besides, the cutout of 3B with read-steps in/around/beside can be a great view.

You just have to have a good read. Again, situational awareness.. from the cutout to the outside is only a matter of a few steps and your only going there when you're sure you've got the three necessities..ball, runner, fielder. And depending on where that throw's coming from it may only be a step left towards the foul line to get in the wedge. 

[Catch18]

You just have to have a good read. Again, situational awareness.. from the cutout to the outside is only a matter of a few steps and your only going there when you're sure you've got the three necessities..ball, runner, fielder. And depending on where that throw's coming from it may only be a step left towards the foul line to get in the wedge. 

Lol, agreed. I gave you his answer….not whether I agreed wholeheartedly . I think it’s doable.

It’s one of those “bust it out during summer daddy ball” not in HS season trying to remain in your state umpire pool!