Is anybody watching the Twins/Tigers game?

[star18]

There is a better chance of a barehanded miracle play then Gomez tripping over himself.

The Mitchell play is relavent because the ball was moving just as quickly because it came off the bat towards the outfield.   If Mitchell could do it, it can be done.

[ChampKind]

Its the last play of the season.  That is the only time a "hail mary" type of approach is fundamental.  

I watched the replay 50 times.    1.After a few quick steps, he slows up to get in front of the ball.   2.He catches it with his glove.   3.He takes 4 steps after he catches the ball to throw.

This is what should have happened.    1.After a few quick steps, he make another quick two step to get on the left side of the ball so he could barehand it.   2.He picks the ball up with his throwing arm.  3.He takes 1 step to throw the ball, the last step of his sprint towards the ball.

Okay, so as a fundamental question, which ball will get to home plate faster?

1) A play where the fielder sets his feet and makes a balanced throw; or

2) An off-balance throw where the fielder is relying almost entirely on his arm strength?

It depends.  Most of the time #1 works best.  However in extraordinary circumstances #2 can get it there quicker, and it doesn't necessarily mean the throw will be off balanced.

Its funny you think an outfielder can't make a barehanded play
Ever heard of Kevin Mitchell?

That was a flyout with Mitchell.  We're talking about a fast moving grounder here. 

Totally different plays.  Pretty safe to say that the Mitchell play is nowhere relevant here.

I was just typing the same exact thing.  While I can appreciate star's point, I think the logic going into it is flawed.  

[ChampKind]

There is a better chance of a barehanded miracle play then Gomez tripping over himself.

The Mitchell play is relavent because the ball was moving just as quickly because it came off the bat towards the outfield.   If Mitchell could do it, it can be done.

Are you sure?  Because they're both negligible odds.  And while the ball was in the air for the Mitchell catch, it didn't have the additional spin and unpredictability of a ball bouncing off the turf.  Plus, he was able to make that catch without having to worry about positioning himself to make a throw right after - something that you're relying on pretty heavily.

[Rondo2287]

There is a better chance of a barehanded miracle play then Gomez tripping over himself.

The Mitchell play is relavent because the ball was moving just as quickly because it came off the bat towards the outfield.   If Mitchell could do it, it can be done.

Ever heard of Clay Buchholz?

[star18]

1+1=2
Ha I just wanted to see if someone was going to disagree with me on that.

On a serious note, practicing extraordinary plays is a good idea.  As much as I don't like the Cavs when Mo and Lebron practice those 60 footers it gives them a better chance to execute them in an actual game.  And it worked when Mo drained that 60+ footer in Game 1 against the Magic.  That is because they practice those plays, Mo had a better chance of making that shot.  That is one thing about Mo and Lebron that I like.  

If outfielders practice the barehanded miracle play, you never know it might work in a real game.

[Roy Hobbs]

Its astroturf and the ball bounces higher off the ground then on grass. 

It's fieldturf, which is actually often softer than grass depending on the climate.  Barehanding and rushing the throw gives you a 99% chance of total failure.  If he cowboys it and misses, that run definitely scores.  If he plays it right and there's a mistake on the basepaths, he's got a chance to get the runner.  If he rushes it and somehow pulls off a barehanded grab combined with a laser throw on target to home on one leg, then he still doesn't get the runner unless the runner makes a mistake.

I think he made the right call.

I was going to post the same thing.  It's unlikely that the runner trips or misses a base, but the odds of that happening are higher than a guy barehanding a ball at a full sprint (from an awkward angle) and gunning the guy out at home while off-balance.

[star18]

What did Buccholz do?

[Rondo2287]

What did Buccholz do?

Stumbled going home and was thrown out

[star18]

Well that is why Buccholz isn't a pinch runner and Gomez is.

We don't know what is better odds, making the barehand or falling on your face to score a winning run.   

Because outfielders don't try the barehanded move, and they should. 

[Rondo2287]

Well that is why Buccholz isn't a pinch runner and Gomez is.

We don't know what is better odds, making the barehand or falling on your face to score a winning run.   

Because outfielders don't try the barehanded move, and they should. 

No they absolutely shouldnt. 

[Donoghus]

Because outfielders don't try the barehanded move, and they should. 

Do you think there's a legitimate reason why they don't do it?  Such as, it doesn't work.

[star18]

Do NBA players practice the 60 footer?
Mo and Lebron do and sometimes it works for them.

Did anybody hit homeruns like they do now before Babe Ruth? No. 


So just because people don't do it doesn't mean it can't be done.

That is what they must have said in 1915.   Trying to hit a home run everytime up that must be silly.  No way anyone can hit more than 30 in a season.   
That is when the Babe steps in.

[Rondo2287]

Do NBA players practice the 60 footer?
Mo and Lebron do and sometimes it works for them.

Did anybody hit homeruns like they do now before Babe Ruth? No. 


So just because people don't do it doesn't mean it can't be done.

That is what they must have said in 1915.   Trying to hit a home run everytime up that must be silly.  No way anyone can hit more than 30 in a season.   
That is when the Babe steps in.

But Lebron doesnt forgo a layup for a 60 footer.  Thats the point. 

[Donoghus]

Do NBA players practice the 60 footer?
Mo and Lebron do and sometimes it works for them.

Did anybody hit homeruns like they do now before Babe Ruth? No. 


So just because people don't do it doesn't mean it can't be done.

That is what they must have said in 1915.   Trying to hit a home run everytime up that must be silly.  No way anyone can hit more than 30 in a season.   
That is when the Babe steps in.

Ballpark dimensions in the early 20th century were often 450+ feet.  Its called the deadball era for a reason.  The game, at the time, wasn't designed for the homerun.  Look at the ballparks.

And Babe Ruth was a once in a lifetime talent.

[star18]

How about this football play.

The QB snaps the ball, the WR all the way on the left sideline takes 5 steps back and the QB laterals the ball to him.  Then the left side WR laterals the ball across the field to the right sideline WR all the way on the right sideline who takes 6 steps back.   Then the right side WR throws a foward bomb to the left side WR who took off after lateraling the ball.   It works for a 70 yard touchdown.  

Ever see anybody do it?
Doesn't mean it doesn't work.