Garver's Game 2 Single

[CP0861]

4 hours ago, NCRaven said:

I believe that CPO is absolutely correct in his description of the rule and how it is applied.  But placing any blame for a horrible throw by Rodriguez on Mountcastle is off base, in my opinion.  Grayson failed to clear the runner and make a good throw.  It was as simple as that.

I said in another post that GRod's only play was to come up firing that ball hard to the bag. So I agree, the bad throw is absolutely on Rodriguez.

I just don't love how Mountcastle positioned himself. He enabled Garver to do what he did and make the throw more difficult. But regardless, that touch pass GRod threw wasn't going to get the job done no matter what. As I was watching it live, once he stood all the way up, I didn't even think he was going to bother throwing it to first.

[CP0861]

4 hours ago, LA2 said:

Buck or the Earl probably would have.

Problem is, the play was completed so the interference can't be called. Unfortunately there was nothing to argue or even talk about.

Earl might've barked a bit, but I doubt it as well as he knew the rules. But I bet he would've been so far up GRod's ass after the game, GRod would've tasted the Brylcream.

Edited October 11, 2023 by CP0861

[MCO'sFan]

18 hours ago, CP0861 said:

Yeah, I know what "the book" says....give a wide target.

Beyond that, proper is a matter of opinion I guess. If they could run that play back, you'd have Mounty do the exact same thing?

In that situation - best case scenario it's a bang/bang play. I know it's not conventional, but in a bang bang play down the line, I want my first baseman's glove as close to the throw as possible.  With the right foot on the bag, you've got a longer reach to the ball. A RH 1b also has better range pivoting on the right foot in case of a wide throw. The glove is in basically the same spot location (although closer with right foot on bag) regardless of which foot is on the bag, so from the fielder's perspective it's essentially the same throw. Just not the comfy HS textbook visual of looking at 2 shoulders.

There was no time for him to shuffle to his left and then throw. Even if there was, he'd be shuffling to the left to make a throw across to the right. By the time he stopped his 6'5" momentum, he was in foul territory. The ONLY play was to pick it up and fire hard to the bag. If it hits him, that's a good thing.

Also, as obvious as it was, there's a solid shot it wouldn't have been called. Ideally, the home plate ump would be straddling the line looking straight down to 1b, but on that play, he was distracted by the runner coming home and out of position. And it is a judgement call, so no review.

 

Yes, I would have him do the exact same thing. You can't assume a good throw which is why you set up with the left foot on the bag. If he sets up with his right foot on the bag, his lower body is across itself and he can't adjust to a poor throw. He absolutely had time to take a step to the left and clear the runner for the throw. He throws 100 mph. His throw beats that runner everytime. I've knocked Mountcastle for his lack of consistent fundamentals on pick plays all year. He did the exact correct thing on this play. 

[SemperFi]

3 hours ago, MCO'sFan said:

Yes, I would have him do the exact same thing. You can't assume a good throw which is why you set up with the left foot on the bag. If he sets up with his right foot on the bag, his lower body is across itself and he can't adjust to a poor throw. He absolutely had time to take a step to the left and clear the runner for the throw. He throws 100 mph. His throw beats that runner everytime. I've knocked Mountcastle for his lack of consistent fundamentals on pick plays all year. He did the exact correct thing on this play. 

Ryan did exactly as he was supposed to do.  Bunt drills are done ad nauseum in ST and it's always done the same way for a reason-create muscle memory.  It boggles my mind that others here want him to go across the bag (very dangerous) and create a lane-when he is assuming Grayson will do what he has been drilled to do.  

[Nite]

I was taught as a catcher to just drill the runner in the back and hope for the out of the base path call when that situation comes up. 

Problem is if it's not called the ball is alive and they can keep running because who knows where the ball will ricochet off to.