Where do you set up, or where do you have your catcher's set up, for the force play at home?
Thanks,
Tim
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Start with your right foot in the middle of the plate,left foot slightly forward,squared up to the throw,knees bent(soft position) & anticipating poor throw.If the throw is off line, step to the throw with your left foot. If is way wide, catch the ball & try to salvage the out at home when ever possible.If that is not possible try to get the out at 1B. If that is also not possible arm fake & look for the runner from 2B rounding 3B. If the throw is on line move to the ball with your left foot sure to keep your right foot on the plate.If it is going to be a close play at home,fully extend to catch the ball much like a 1st baseman.If is an on line throw & it is likely to be a home to 1st DP, step to the ball with your left foot & catch it deeper.As you are making the transfer to throw to 1B, take a big enough step with your right foot that you create a clear throwing lane to 1B & are at least a body's length from home plate.If there is no play at 1B arm fake & look for the runner from 2B overly aggressively rounding 3B in anticipation of your throw to 1B.
By starting with your right foot securely on the middle of the plate, there is less chance for the umpire to invent some kind of phantom play.On this play the umpire is looking at your foot & listening for the ball.IMO the least amount of movement from your right foot, the less chance for the umpire to see something that just is not happening.(Like not being in contact with the plate when the ball arrives)
Finally it is always beneficial(especially with the infield in & the bases loaded) to remind the umpire,before the pitch, to make sure that the batter runner is inside the running lane at 1B.It just plants the seed for interference if your throw hits the runner or the 1st baseman gets screened out.
JW
By starting with your right foot securely on the middle of the plate, there is less chance for the umpire to invent some kind of phantom play.On this play the umpire is looking at your foot & listening for the ball.IMO the least amount of movement from your right foot, the less chance for the umpire to see something that just is not happening.(Like not being in contact with the plate when the ball arrives)
Finally it is always beneficial(especially with the infield in & the bases loaded) to remind the umpire,before the pitch, to make sure that the batter runner is inside the running lane at 1B.It just plants the seed for interference if your throw hits the runner or the 1st baseman gets screened out.
JW
