Mistake by 3B during ESPN Rise tournament

[sluggers]

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We talk about precision in softball a lot, but here is a simple mistake by the 3B which cost Texas Impact a run. The 3B fields the bunt with her hands separated, which resulted in a fraction of a second lost when she had to bring her right hand to the glove. The end result: The batter was safe.

According to the announcers, the Texas Impact coach replaced his usual 3B with a catcher because he thought the catcher would do a better job at 3B fielding bunts... Wrong!

 

[Wookie]

Not to mention that she stood up first before getting ready to throw.

 

[Wookie]

And, she really didn't start moving until the ball was bunted. I understand maybe hesitating for the "pullback slap", but there was no movement once the batter committed to bunt until the ball made contact with the bat.

 

[FiveFrameSwing]

Probably not the cleanest of mechanics.

Given that the hitter was a slapper and fast runner, there probably wasn't time to come to a full stop, plant the heels, funnel the ball into the glove with the throwing hand well separated from the glove, come fully upright, shuffle step and make a full overhand throw. Even Kobata wouldn't teach this.

 

[RichK]

As the announcers even noted, the girl (a great player by all accounts) wasn't a third basemen. So odd decision and not surprising outcome.

Does anyone recommend a fielding "system" to work through with younger (12U) girls to take them to the next level? I've heard thumbs up and thumbs down about Kobata, and that some of his ideas are unorthodox. Any suggestions on DVDs, etc? I know how to build from the "ground up" on hitting, and we work with good pitching coaches, but I don't want to just "teach what I know" with our infielders/outfielders...

TKS!

 

[MsDinosaur]

Was that the same team that also had the catcher not look the runner at second back before she tossed the ball to the pitcher, resulting in an easy steal of third? Or was that the CA team? I'm wondering if the decision to play their catcher at third bit them both at third *and* at catcher.

 

[starsnuffer]

Looking at this play, even with proper mechanics she would not have made the throw in time. She got a late jump, and that made all the difference. IF she barehanded it and IF she made a good throw that the 1B could stretch towards her for, then maybe it would be an out.

Good job by the first baseman catching that catastrophe of a throw.

-W

 

[ASAPAump]

Good job by the first baseman catching that catastrophe of a throw.

I think you mean the second baseman.

 

[starsnuffer]

I think you mean the second baseman.

Thanks for correcting my catastrophe of a comment

 

[FiveFrameSwing]

Good job by the first baseman catching that catastrophe of a throw.

I half expected people to comment on the receiving mechanics of the player covering 1B. Notice that the throw is well over her head and yet she reaches up with both hands to receive the ball.