Laying out for a baseball

[Riverbrian]

I don't remember the inning or even the context as I post this morning. But... Last night... I watched Kepler pull up on a foul ball that landed not that far from his upright feet.

To be fair... He ran a long way... and I do believe that he ran full speed for a long way as far as I could tell. But, I believe that he could have gotten to the baseball if he dove for the baseball at the end of that journey. The ball was in foul territory... there was no danger of a hit occurring. Yet... I remember thinking a little more effort could have at least put a glove on that ball. I remember thinking that a young pitcher like Varland could have used the support... the out. 

This morning... I'm wondering. When is the last time you've seen an OF lay themselves out for a ball? I honestly can't remember the last time.

I'm hoping that my memory is faulty. 

 

[Craig Arko]

Maybe Lewis last year. That didn’t end well, as I recall.

[stringer bell]

Two dives that I recall this year and neither worked out--Larnach dove for a ball that he totally missed and it went for a triple. Taylor dove for a ball that went off his glove and he lobbed it to the cutoff man and the hitter moved on to third base (went as a triple).

[Nine of twelve]

Either I didn't see or I don't recall the play RivBri is referencing. How close was he to the wall? How many outs? Any bases occupied? How deep was the ball hit? These things factor into the decision whether to dive. For example, if there's a runner on third with less than two outs you need to be able to make a throw home after a catch. If you dive to catch a foul ball you're enabling a run to score. In that case, better to let it drop and hope for a more favorable scenario.

[Riverbrian]

1 hour ago, Nine of twelve said:

Either I didn't see or I don't recall the play RivBri is referencing. How close was he to the wall? How many outs? Any bases occupied? How deep was the ball hit? These things factor into the decision whether to dive. For example, if there's a runner on third with less than two outs you need to be able to make a throw home after a catch. If you dive to catch a foul ball you're enabling a run to score. In that case, better to let it drop and hope for a more favorable scenario.

It was a shallowish pop fly. He covered a lot of ground to the line and then forward to the infield when the ball dropped in front of him. The wall wasn't a factor, the ball was a ways from the warning track. There was no runner on third base. He ran a long way... it would have been a hell of a catch if he made it and a simple foul ball if he didn't make the catch.   

It just occurred to me after not watching him extend himself forward to try that it's been awhile since I've seen someone in the OF extend themselves forward.  

[chpettit19]

https://www.mlb.com/video/gleyber-torres-lines-out-to-center-fielder-michael-a-taylor?q=Michael A. Taylor divin catch&cp=CMS_FIRST&qt=FREETEXT&p=0

Here's the most recent diving catch I found in the old video vault. Middle of April. I don't know about attempted diving catches, though.

[Rod Carews Birthday]

23 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

It was a shallowish pop fly. He covered a lot of ground to the line and then forward to the infield when the ball dropped in front of him. The wall wasn't a factor, the ball was a ways from the warning track. There was no runner on third base. He ran a long way... it would have been a hell of a catch if he made it and a simple foul ball if he didn't make the catch.   

It just occurred to me after not watching him extend himself forward to try that it's been awhile since I've seen someone in the OF extend themselves forward.  

I don't remember it specifically.  If it was last night, there probably wasn't anyone on base.  On Thursday in Chicago he had several "good" catches and then one really excellent one in foul territory by the wall after a very long run.  I didn't think he would get there but he did.  Maybe last night he was thinking "I'd better be more careful next time!" 

On Thursday when the outfield was Gallo, Taylor, and Kepler, I remember observing how easy they made it look out there.  Sometimes when you are really good, even the tough catches look routine.

[Riverbrian]

2 hours ago, Rod Carews Birthday said:

I don't remember it specifically.  If it was last night, there probably wasn't anyone on base.  On Thursday in Chicago he had several "good" catches and then one really excellent one in foul territory by the wall after a very long run.  I didn't think he would get there but he did.  Maybe last night he was thinking "I'd better be more careful next time!" 

On Thursday when the outfield was Gallo, Taylor, and Kepler, I remember observing how easy they made it look out there.  Sometimes when you are really good, even the tough catches look routine.

It wasn't a lay out but Kepler made a full effort catch into the screen that would have taken him into the stands. 

I really appreciated that.