third base tag

Comment by Patrick Laverty on February 28, 2011 at 9:43pm

If there's going to be a play there, straddle it.  If there's any chance at all that the runner is going to round the bag, stand with both feet on the OF side of the bag.  Then if there is a play, sweep tag.

Comment by Ted Browne on February 28, 2011 at 10:56pm

agreed

Comment by Kip Gross on February 28, 2011 at 11:58pm

Never stand on any bag if there isn't a force play.

Comment by Rick Lepird on March 1, 2011 at 7:33am

agreed, if that runner decides to round then interference can be called with any contact.

It is a judgement call by the 3rd baseman but initialy he should be on the outfield side of the bag until the throw is made and then he will decide weather to put the tag down in front of the runner or take the throw and try a sweep tag.

Comment by Jay Wilson on March 1, 2011 at 8:29am

I agree with the above comments.  The Third Basemann has to make a decision once the throw is made.  As he progresses up the baseball ladder, most Left Fielders will be able to make the throw all the way to third.  The Third Baseman can adjust to the throw.  The position of the Pitcher as a defensive player is also very important on this play.

Comment by Bob Bailey on March 1, 2011 at 2:19pm

The play was going to end at 3rd base with the runner coach tell him to get down. If he had set up with his right foot on bag would not he had to tag over his body and some to reach runner even with a will placed ball? Would it be better to tag runner with at tag sweep from over bag.

Comment by Bob Bailey on March 1, 2011 at 2:23pm

By the way he did get him out with a straddle tag. It was after the game a coach ask him how come the tag like that.

Comment by Patrick Laverty on March 1, 2011 at 3:00pm

" If he had set up with his right foot on bag"

The bag can be slippery, and the runner is allow free rein at the bag.  That's asking to get your foot/leg hurt.

 

You want to straddle the bag if there's going to be a play because then you can tag the runner, even if he goes in to the home plate side of the base.  If you're standing on the outfield side, a smart runner will slide as far to the home plate side of the bag as he can and just barely get a hand or a foot on the side of the bag.  It's tough to sweep tag that far and very likely the tag will miss.  Straddle the bag and it's an easy tag. 

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