Evan Longoria does whatever he can to keep the throw from getting past him.[DIRK SHADD | St. Petersburg Times] |
4. Glove above the ball. When possible, position your glove above the thrown ball so that you are catching the ball with your glove on the way down. If your glove is below the throw, you'll have to raise the glove to catch and then change direction to bring the glove down to tag. Keeping the glove above the ball allows you to catch and tag in the same downward motion.
5. Capital V. This tip is connected to #3. Reaching out to catch a ball promotes a "sweep" tag. Since you are allowing the ball to come to you, tag with a straight down and straight up motion. Think capital "V" instead of a capital "U" It's a little quicker.
Glove fingers forward. (AP Photo/LM Otero) |
7. One hand. Two handed tags are usually reserved for catchers and also little kids who are still learning to catch the ball safely and properly. One handed tags are quicker so as players get older, they should be using one hand.
8. A dead out. Occasionally, a runner will be out by quite a distance. If the ball gets to the bag well in advance of the runner, catch the ball and place the glove straight down on the ground in front of the bag. Don't assume the runner is going to give up. If he slides, he'll do it right into your glove. If he gives up (more likely), move forward towards the runner and bring the glove up to tag him. Just bringing the glove up - without moving forward - may allow the runner to quick slide at the last moment and get under the tag.
10. Re-tagging. We've all seen this play .. a runner slides and is tagged. The runner continues sliding past the bag and the fielder, seeing that the runner has slid past the bag, goes after him again. The runner beats the second tag and the umpire calls him safe. Why? Because when you re-tag a runner, you are sending the message to the ump that you missed him the first time. Resist the temptation to re-tag unless you are positive the runner will be out again on the re-tag.
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