Where to position a fielder

[VE_05]

So me and my coach are at a disagreement on the placement of the 3rd basemen. When fielding a throw from a teammate. I think she should straddle 3rd base to make a tag. He thinks she should be fielding in front of the bag towards home plate and reach back to make the tag. He is saying for safety which I could see. But I think if she straddles the bag she would be safe from the slide and make a faster tag.... thoughts.

 

[Passion4theGame]

• Step 1 ? Once the ball is on its way to the plate get to the bag as quickly as possible
• Step 2 ? Straddle the bag so your feet are in a straight line through the catcher. Straddling the bag is important because you want the ball to travel in the air as long as possible. It is faster than going to get the ball and bringing it back to make the tag. In other words, ball in air = faster than ball in your glove.
• Step 3 ? From this position of having the bag in between your feet, DON?T take your tag to the runner, let him slide into you. If you do, an experienced base runner can swim around your tag and get in safely. All you need to do is catch the ball and bring it straight down to the front of the bag. This is where the runner will be sliding.
• Common mistake ? Many infielders want to place both feet in front of the bag, catch the ball, and apply the tag. This position clears you from the runner, and is most natural at first. This, however, creates a long tag and takes a fraction of a second longer to make the play.
• These simple adjustments can really step up your game. These tips will get you better results and show that you?re a pro. And again, remember, the ball traveling in the air is faster than your tag, so let it travel as long as possible.

 

[Simpsoj]

• Step 1 ? Once the ball is on its way to the plate get to the bag as quickly as possible
• Step 2 ? Straddle the bag so your feet are in a straight line through the catcher. Straddling the bag is important because you want the ball to travel in the air as long as possible. It is faster than going to get the ball and bringing it back to make the tag. In other words, ball in air = faster than ball in your glove.
• Step 3 ? From this position of having the bag in between your feet, DON?T take your tag to the runner, let him slide into you. If you do, an experienced base runner can swim around your tag and get in safely. All you need to do is catch the ball and bring it straight down to the front of the bag. This is where the runner will be sliding.
• Common mistake ? Many infielders want to place both feet in front of the bag, catch the ball, and apply the tag. This position clears you from the runner, and is most natural at first. This, however, creates a long tag and takes a fraction of a second longer to make the play.
• These simple adjustments can really step up your game. These tips will get you better results and show that you?re a pro. And again, remember, the ball traveling in the air is faster than your tag, so let it travel as long as possible.

The way the rules are written should determine position. Straddling the bag yet giving the runner plenty of access makes the most sense. Why?? Because blocking the bag OR interfering with the runners ability to reach the base when you don't have the ball or are not in the process of catching it (that, to me is open glove and reaching for the ball) is defensive obstruction...runners get any bases that she would have gotten, in the officials judgement, had ther been no obstruction.