Situation:
Catcher is trying to back-pick at first or third.
The throw goes over the baseman's head, down the line.
Can a corner OF playing straightaway get to the ball in time to throw the runner out at the next base?
Some coaches seem to believe the answer is yes as long as their corner OFs are alert and hustling.
Run a trial. Have a runner lay outstretched on the ground with his hand on first base, as if he dove back. Have your catcher rifle a throw down the RF line. As the C releases the ball, the RF starts sprinting towards the line to back up the throw. As the ball passes first base on its way down the line, the base coach yells 'get up and go.'
My trials have always shown a low probability of an on-time accurate throw. IOW, the runner is usually safe....which is why I don't give my catchers carte-blanche to make snap throws.
Regarding the snapthrow to first: on a hard-baked field, if the catcher has a cannon, the ball can go WAY down the line.
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