I think this illustrates just how clueless you are about actually playing baseball. In almost all cases, all the fielders know where the other fielders are positioned. Infielders need to know who's covering what base in each situation. Outfielders need to know if the other outfielders are playing in the gap, straight up, shallow or deep.
Rog -- Please, Boagie, this stuff is obvious. How in the world can you think that someone who has followed baseball for over half a century doesn't know them? By the way, once the fielder knows where HE is supposed to play, it's more important for the base runners to know where the fielders are playing than for most of the fielders to know it.
If I'm a runner on first base, I need to know how shallow the outfielders are playing and which way they are cheating. I need to know where the infielders are playing so I won't get caught off on a line drive and so I can get my best possible jump if the ball is going to go through. Not only do I need to know where the players are, I need to know their capabilities. Now strong is their arm? How well do they charge the ball? How well do they cut the ball off? How likely are they to misjudge a fly ball? (Not as important, but still nice to know, since it might be worth taking an extra step toward second, especially if the outfielder has a poor arm.)
Which way do the shortstop and second baseman like to go on their pivot? Where might the ball be hit where I will need help from the coach, and where might it go that I can see the play in front of me? How does the catcher prefer to play the plate on a throw home? How wide will I have to go to avoid him on a bang-bang play?
What is the pitcher's pickoff move like? Does he vary his looks? If he's a lefty, does he have a pattern such as looking at the plate before he throws to first base and looking toward first when he's going to go home? How long is his release time? Is the pitch likely to be off speed rather than a fastball, taking mor etime to get to the plate, providing more chance of the ball being in the dirt and often making for a tougher throw. What is the catcher's pop time, and how accurate is he? Which side of the base is he likely to throw to if he misses? That might prepare me for a different type of slide.
How far will the ball in the dirt need to get away for me to move up a base with acceptable risk? What are the outs and base situation to help me with that call? Which hitter is at the plate, and who follows him? What are the score and inning?
Not that it isn't as important for the fielder to know where his teammates are, but he can see many of then, whereas most of the fielders are out of the base runner's line of vision. Plus, he is given guidance in where to position himself for each of the hitters. He knows how that might vary depending on the traits of the pitcher. It might be good for him to help his fellow players get into position if they are out of it, as Willie Mays did with the Giants' outfielders, but more often than not they know their assignments too.
I already told you that when I started my one and only triple play, I realized the left center fielder (It was softball, not baseball) was too far toward center for the hitter coming to the plate. When I couldn't get him to move, I myself shifted off the line. As with Gregor Blanco in the Matt Cain perfect game, it was my positioning that allowed me to make the diving catch. It was my hustle that told me not to quit on the play, which frankly I didn't think until the last moment that I could make.
So I know a little about positioning and the importance of my teammates being in the right position as well.
But see how it is as least as important for the base runners to know where the fielders are and how well they can get to the ball as it is for the defensive players? That illustrates that less teamwork is required on the part of the defense.
I told Randy that he doesn't know what he doesn't know, and it appears neither of you has much idea what I know and don't know. I can usually tell hou what a player did, what he should have done, and the possible reasons for each.
It strongly appears you guys have been overwhelmed by the statistical things I post and didn't pick up my comments on the game and the players.
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