Go back and watch his vidoes that contain explanations into the various aspects of professional baseball and baseball life ("What is it like to be sent to the minors?") You literally cannot find anything like them anywhere else. They carried me through Covid
An EXTREMELY important moment is at 1:20 when you can see that the catcher had the presence of mind to plant his back foot ON THE WALL as he threw, which was how he got so much power on the throw. While the pitcher is blocking the direct view of his foot, if you watch closely you can see that his plant leg doesn't move at all, which it obviously wouldn't do if it was just in the air.
@@AntonelliBaseball as a former pitcher I love my catchers, but none of my former catchers could have made that player either. The runner has to do a better job of reading the ball in the dirt and not hesitating/turn his hips and running. The runner is also a catcher 😂
@@JoeyD_AU98 I hate to be critical of a fellow baseball fan, but not only was that ball way into the dirt outside of what a MLB catcher might be expected to field, but if the runner (or his 3rd base coach) didn't try for 3rd in that scenario, I'd be freaking out about how passive this team was offensively.
This is like a catcher's dream founded on the passed-ball-backstop-catch-throw principle that never works. Re-upload this as a short, re-edit it, and use the "Probability 0.0001% Passed Ball Out by Catcher" title. When you make $10k on it, send me a bone, Matt!
@@MultiEviscerator in college our coach had an automatic steal on a ball in the dirt so I absolutely think he should have run on that pitch. I’m saying the read was poor and he got a late jump. If he had a better read and turns his hips and runs instead of a side shuffle he makes it easy.
@traybern So? The plsyer IS moving in three directions: up/down, horitontally, and rotationally. And unless he has PERFECT spacial body awareness, he still needs to locate the bag to tbrow to it literally on the fly, which means adjusting 3 ways from his normal throw to compensate. I dare you to try that in your house. Turn your back to office size trashcan, take a ball of paper, then simultaneously jump high, spin, no peeking, (you say you don't need to see the bag), and throw the ball right into the can. Even at 8ft, I dont think you'll be able to hit it on the first try, and that's even without also moving away like the catcher was. You may not be impressed, but that throw was spectacular!
That’s what we do. From the C position, when the ball is by F2, we turn the head slightly to the right and look for movement over the shoulder to indicate R2 is going. If R2 is going, U1 needs to be going because as this play illustrates…you just never know. This is amongst the greatest defensive plays I have ever seen in my 40 years around the game and certainly near the top of the best plays in amateur baseball.
Agree, this is one of the most amazing defensive plays I have ever seen. It is almost on a par with that famous Ozzie Smith play where he was diving to his left as the shortstop-and the ball took a bad bounce so that Smith had to reach back, while fully prone, and grab the ball with his free right hand…then throw out the runner at first. Almost as good. This was one heck of a throw by the catcher!!!
Remember that taking the next base on a passed ball or wild pitch that fully passes the catcher is automatic for any baserunner (unless to home plate). The errant baseball usually veers away from the catcher who must run at least as far a the baserunner and has a long throw to any base except home plate.
Looked like a shortstop throwing to first on an infield grounder that is on the edge of his range. It also looks like he used the backstop wall to get leverage into his throw. Top notch 200 IQ.
That was a perfect set of circumstances for that play to work. The wall had to be fairly close to home plate and the ricochet off the wall had to be right to the catcher with the catcher being able to barehand the ball so he didn't have to waste time transferring the ball from his glove. You couldn't draw up that play and for it to work out that perfectly.
Probably also a very slow baserunner at second or at least someone not on base often (a pitcher who got to second base?) Pitchers are often horrible baserunners and are generally told to do station-to-statio base-running. They are often the runners who go to third from second on a double.
@@MH-Tesla this is Benedetti Field-the official home of San Fran University Dons. It also appears to me that there is much less than 60 ft between plate and backstop. NCAA apparently ‘recommends’ a distance of 60 feet. [edit: appears in 2019 ncaa changed to a 45’ recommendation. Though they still say 60’ from foul line to fence or grandstand.]
Great video Matt - love this find!! Keep’em coming. And thanks for the breakdown. Love to see you do breakdowns in defensive okays where that extra step or two are saved, like the way this guy completely nailed.
One thing you didn't mention is that the catcher actually scales the wall slightly. He places is right foot on the wall at the base of the glass, which I think steadies him a bit and allows him to get a little more on his throw.
Wow! Baseball genius! I have to think that, at some point, he ran it in his head, "if there is a passed ball, the guy on second is going for third." As it happened, I think he has a microsecond to decide if he will make the throw or not as he spins around. And then he does! And I think that the mental prep for this play is what makes it work.
In Phoenix watching spring ball / Cactus League (‘24) . Saw an identical play today (KC vs San Fran) Surprise Stadium. The ball went by the catcher, hit the padding behind the catcher and as he turned it bounced back to him, he one-handed it & threw to third. The runner this situation was safe, but it was bang-bang. A lot of athleticism all-round, catcher, base runner , 3rd baseman & umpire at third to stay attentive to the developing play. 🤟
College baseball is full of great plays. My daughter is a field announcer for her college team, and it's gotten me into the college game. It's fantastic baseball. Thanks for your channel.
Wow! Yes, amazing play! I caught and played shortstop in high-school. Starting catcher my junior year, then senior year coach moved me to starting shortstop. Loved both positions but catching was my favorite. Played town ball for a couple years after that. I love baseball.
What. A. Freakin. Play! That’s a Big League, Yadi->Chipper All-Star type play!! Love this defense and the way they’re pumped up after the play, def gonna save this one ⭐️ ⚾️
LOL. Yadi, nor any other professional catcher, would not have let the ball get by him. Why? He wouldn't be sitting near flat behind inside portion of the plate while leaning on his mitt in the dirt as the pitcher is throwing. Most collegiate catchers (let alone pro catchers) with actual catching mechanics and skill would have easily shuffled to their right and smothered the pitch. This dude got lucky, because he came real close to having to run all the to the dugout to chase the ball he deflected... all because he's a terrible catcher.
Zack Ramppen's dad is Frank Ramppen, one of Bobby Valentine's former assistant coaches in Japan. He also co-founded and helps run Valentine's facility in Stamford, CT. They have done a phenomenal job for many years!
Look closer. This is an absolutely horrible play made to look good because of perfect conditions and a lot of luck. This kid has no business behind the plate.
Catcher here. I practiced those type plays. Because I admidered opportunities infielders & outfielders created. Lead to me contributing to timely plays/outs.
I grew up in the late '40s and the '50s on Yankee baseball and loved the game. But, I never played with 9 guys on a side, never had a real base (we'd take off our jackets and put them on the ground), we had no catching gear (the team at bat provided the catcher), and we certainly had no coach. I loved the game but didn't know much beyond what you could see at the ballpark or on TV. I find Antonelli's videos and commentary so enriching. It's like meeting the girl you've always loved but never really got a chance to know.
OP, I agree, this is one of the greatest plays by a catcher I've ever seen. I am told in MLB history, there are only 3 instances of a catcher running around home plate to field a bunt before the ball is actually bunted. If the batter takes the pitch, he ball goes back to the screen. I'm told all 3 instances were successful getting the runner going to second base.
My son had a deliberate play somewhat like that in HS & college. With a right handed batter (the batter blocks the runners view), he'd call for a pitch low in the dirt thrown on the 1B side... he'd slide over to receive it, while tossing his mask and looking confused like he lost site of the ball. Then turn and get the base runner out at 3B coming home. They called it the toilet play... it worked everytime on a team that didn't know about it.
Years ago San Francisco pulled off a similar play a couple times with a runner at third. The pitch would go over the catcher and bounce off of the backstop. The pitcher would run to the plate as the catcher took a few steps around the umpire. The ball would bounce almost all the way back to the catcher. The catcher would toss the ball to the pitcher who would tag out the befuddled runner. Good ol' trick plays are some of the fun of baseball.
I remember Gary Sanchez did this in a game vs Houston in extra innings, wild pitch hit the backstop and bounced directly back to him on the fly, he threw out the runner trying to advance to 3rd. It was a much easier play though, no jump-throw needed
Many years ago I played softball. During a game no one covered 2nd base, so I ran to it, caught the throw and tagged the runner out. Did the same at third base in another game. I could get up out of a crouch and beat every batter to first base. Unfortunately the years have caught up to me, so I'm no longer that fast.
Must be doing pretty good in school at physics. Looks like he did a foot plant on the backstop before the throw, not to take anything away from his arm, but that had to have helped.
Before Matt even said it I knew this guy could play IF, especially shortstop. I was moved from SS in HS to 3B/IB in D1 and the minors as I couldn't make a play like that in the hole at 6'3", even with a good arm. If he can hit he'll get drafted.
Kind of reminds me of the famous Jeter throw. It figures it would come from the college level. Catcher's knees don't work like that very long into their careers.
this is so much better than that. The Jeter jump throw was literally never a good play. It was him getting to the ball later than any other ss in baseball. An outfielder taking a bad route to a ball and having to slide to catch a ball other fielders catch with ease isn't a great play. The jeter play in the hole is no different. this is a really incredible play by this catcher.Bare handing a ball bouncing off the wall and in one motion throwing it like that from an angle he's probably never made in his life before is amazing.
I have never seen a play like that from a catcher. Yes a catcher would certainly go after the ball, but there would never be a thought of throwing the ball to third. When he saw the great bounce off the backstop, in his mind he was all in, with the idea of let’s make a play. What a great play.
Great play for sure, but I will point out the elephant in the room too, which Antoneiil surprisingly completely missed. The catcher got a lucky bounce. Did anybody else see that ball hit an weird corner and bounce back the way it came, right to the catcher? I guarantee you, had the ball bounced away from the catcher like it normally would, and no doubt the runner on 2nd expected it to, the catcher would have had no play at 3rd. That extra split second of time that friendly bounce saved him made all the difference in the world. Still, incredible play as 99% of catchers or any players will not be able to capitalize on the opportunity that bounce created.
Wow! If that ball goes into left field, the guy trots home. Great pick by 3rd. Another reason you don't see it often with 2 outs. Often they just don't throw at all. Did you notice the pitcher's fall off towards first base? (hence the wild pitch) that needs to be corrected. I like to see a drive to home with as little fall to the right or left, depending if you're a righty or a lefty.
As a baseball purist having played & watched baseball since age 6 (69 yrs & counting), I have never seen a play like this. To say it’s a great play doesn’t even BEGIN to describe it!!
That is an amazing play! One guy I did Wonder about, Could Craig Biggio have done that? Was he an infielder as well as a catcher before he got to the majors? That is amazing, usually you see guys who play seven positions like Honus Wagner In 1902 but catcher is not one of them.
I don't think that Bidge played IF in the minors, but he might have. When the Astros first moved him, they put him in the OF. The move to 2B was the following spring, and he must have taken several thousand extra ground balls that spring.
Great agility and good gun by the catcher - probably one of many that he threw out that season. though on a field like that where the backstop is that close I'd be leery as a baserunner to automatically take off on a wild pitch unless i had a lot better jump than what this guy had.
This channel is pure gold. And that play was pure gold.
Antonelli Baseball is everything that is good about baseball. Thanks for bringing this great play to light.
Go back and watch his vidoes that contain explanations into the various aspects of professional baseball and baseball life ("What is it like to be sent to the minors?") You literally cannot find anything like them anywhere else. They carried me through Covid
Thanks!!
@@bucksdiaryfan glad you enjoyed them!!
@bucksdiaryfan Yea his storytelling makes you feel like you're there.
I agree. This is pure baseball pleasure!
An EXTREMELY important moment is at 1:20 when you can see that the catcher had the presence of mind to plant his back foot ON THE WALL as he threw, which was how he got so much power on the throw. While the pitcher is blocking the direct view of his foot, if you watch closely you can see that his plant leg doesn't move at all, which it obviously wouldn't do if it was just in the air.
Matt “what do you know, this guy plays IF too, he’s a real athlete”
Catchers: 😢
Haha sorry catchers!!! 😂
@@AntonelliBaseball as a former pitcher I love my catchers, but none of my former catchers could have made that player either.
The runner has to do a better job of reading the ball in the dirt and not hesitating/turn his hips and running. The runner is also a catcher 😂
@@JoeyD_AU98 I hate to be critical of a fellow baseball fan, but not only was that ball way into the dirt outside of what a MLB catcher might be expected to field, but if the runner (or his 3rd base coach) didn't try for 3rd in that scenario, I'd be freaking out about how passive this team was offensively.
This is like a catcher's dream founded on the passed-ball-backstop-catch-throw principle that never works. Re-upload this as a short, re-edit it, and use the "Probability 0.0001% Passed Ball Out by Catcher" title. When you make $10k on it, send me a bone, Matt!
@@MultiEviscerator in college our coach had an automatic steal on a ball in the dirt so I absolutely think he should have run on that pitch. I’m saying the read was poor and he got a late jump. If he had a better read and turns his hips and runs instead of a side shuffle he makes it easy.
He jump pirouettes in mid air and fires that ball off with a only fraction of a second to locate the third baseman. Very impressive.
@traybern So? The plsyer IS moving in three directions: up/down, horitontally, and rotationally. And unless he has PERFECT spacial body awareness, he still needs to locate the bag to tbrow to it literally on the fly, which means adjusting 3 ways from his normal throw to compensate.
I dare you to try that in your house. Turn your back to office size trashcan, take a ball of paper, then simultaneously jump high, spin, no peeking, (you say you don't need to see the bag), and throw the ball right into the can. Even at 8ft, I dont think you'll be able to hit it on the first try, and that's even without also moving away like the catcher was. You may not be impressed, but that throw was spectacular!
Props to the umpire for hustling to position himself for a good view/call.
Absolutely 👍🏻
must be a preseason game, or a Division III game (they were working a 2 man umpire crew?)
@@darinlegore284 It’s a regular season game between St Peters and San Francisco U… two D1 teams
That’s what we do. From the C position, when the ball is by F2, we turn the head slightly to the right and look for movement over the shoulder to indicate R2 is going. If R2 is going, U1 needs to be going because as this play illustrates…you just never know. This is amongst the greatest defensive plays I have ever seen in my 40 years around the game and certainly near the top of the best plays in amateur baseball.
Naw, this one is all about the player
Agree, this is one of the most amazing defensive plays I have ever seen. It is almost on a par with that famous Ozzie Smith play where he was diving to his left as the shortstop-and the ball took a bad bounce so that Smith had to reach back, while fully prone, and grab the ball with his free right hand…then throw out the runner at first. Almost as good. This was one heck of a throw by the catcher!!!
I agree, that dig and tag were legendary too! Great job by both players.
OUTSTANDING Play!!!
Remember that taking the next base on a passed ball or wild pitch that fully passes the catcher is automatic for any baserunner (unless to home plate). The errant baseball usually veers away from the catcher who must run at least as far a the baserunner and has a long throw to any base except home plate.
Looked like a shortstop throwing to first on an infield grounder that is on the edge of his range. It also looks like he used the backstop wall to get leverage into his throw. Top notch 200 IQ.
Unbelievable play all around.
The wall helped with his footing as well. Great job to the catcher
Thanks for sharing an amazing play.
That was a perfect set of circumstances for that play to work. The wall had to be fairly close to home plate and the ricochet off the wall had to be right to the catcher with the catcher being able to barehand the ball so he didn't have to waste time transferring the ball from his glove. You couldn't draw up that play and for it to work out that perfectly.
Yes. This doesn't look like a league field. Even high school requires 60 feet from home plate to back stop.
Probably also a very slow baserunner at second or at least someone not on base often (a pitcher who got to second base?) Pitchers are often horrible baserunners and are generally told to do station-to-statio base-running. They are often the runners who go to third from second on a double.
Not much space in SF to build a field of any sort. This place literally down the street from where I used to live.
@@MH-Tesla this is Benedetti Field-the official home of San Fran University Dons.
It also appears to me that there is much less than 60 ft between plate and backstop.
NCAA apparently ‘recommends’ a distance of 60 feet. [edit: appears in 2019 ncaa changed to a 45’ recommendation. Though they still say 60’ from foul line to fence or grandstand.]
Found a pic of the field online. The coach’s box is on the warning track-just feet from the dugout.
Pretty much confirms our suspicions.
I rarely watch baseball, but your videos are always something I look forward to.
Great video Matt - love this find!! Keep’em coming. And thanks for the breakdown. Love to see you do breakdowns in defensive okays where that extra step or two are saved, like the way this guy completely nailed.
One thing you didn't mention is that the catcher actually scales the wall slightly. He places is right foot on the wall at the base of the glass, which I think steadies him a bit and allows him to get a little more on his throw.
The accuracy!!!!!
Wow! Baseball genius! I have to think that, at some point, he ran it in his head, "if there is a passed ball, the guy on second is going for third." As it happened, I think he has a microsecond to decide if he will make the throw or not as he spins around. And then he does! And I think that the mental prep for this play is what makes it work.
In Phoenix watching spring ball / Cactus League (‘24) . Saw an identical play today (KC vs San Fran) Surprise Stadium. The ball went by the catcher, hit the padding behind the catcher and as he turned it bounced back to him, he one-handed it & threw to third. The runner this situation was safe, but it was bang-bang. A lot of athleticism all-round, catcher, base runner , 3rd baseman & umpire at third to stay attentive to the developing play. 🤟
College baseball is full of great plays. My daughter is a field announcer for her college team, and it's gotten me into the college game. It's fantastic baseball. Thanks for your channel.
Incredible play. Wow! And you know the game well. Infielding move for sure.
Great play….excellent celebration too. Most of all in how he points to his catcher giving him his due! Thx for making that comment
Flipping the ball up like a cricket celebration!
Wow! Yes, amazing play! I caught and played shortstop in high-school. Starting catcher my junior year, then senior year coach moved me to starting shortstop. Loved both positions but catching was my favorite. Played town ball for a couple years after that. I love baseball.
What. A. Freakin. Play! That’s a Big League, Yadi->Chipper All-Star type play!! Love this defense and the way they’re pumped up after the play, def gonna save this one ⭐️ ⚾️
LOL. Yadi, nor any other professional catcher, would not have let the ball get by him. Why? He wouldn't be sitting near flat behind inside portion of the plate while leaning on his mitt in the dirt as the pitcher is throwing. Most collegiate catchers (let alone pro catchers) with actual catching mechanics and skill would have easily shuffled to their right and smothered the pitch. This dude got lucky, because he came real close to having to run all the to the dugout to chase the ball he deflected... all because he's a terrible catcher.
Awesome post and take Matt!
Zack Ramppen's dad is Frank Ramppen, one of Bobby Valentine's former assistant coaches in Japan. He also co-founded and helps run Valentine's facility in Stamford, CT. They have done a phenomenal job for many years!
Pretty cool. There's another player on their roster, David Bedrosian...I wonder if he's related to Steve and Cam Bedrosian?
Wow Wow Wow Wow!!!! Amazing at any level! Thanks for sharing.
Look closer. This is an absolutely horrible play made to look good because of perfect conditions and a lot of luck. This kid has no business behind the plate.
Thanks I really enjoyed this video and commentary.
Catcher here. I practiced those type plays. Because I admidered opportunities infielders & outfielders created.
Lead to me contributing to timely plays/outs.
Perfect positioning by the ump in a three person crew. Did not lose a step even in a very unusual situation.
Totally awesome!
Wow. That was awesome. Talent .
An absolute astonishingly fantastic play.
Crazy play Matt.
The ball was way ahead of the runner. Quick reflexes and an accurate throw make this one of the best defensive plays ever.
Unbelievable play, great athletic performance
I grew up in the late '40s and the '50s on Yankee baseball and loved the game. But, I never played with 9 guys on a side, never had a real base (we'd take off our jackets and put them on the ground), we had no catching gear (the team at bat provided the catcher), and we certainly had no coach. I loved the game but didn't know much beyond what you could see at the ballpark or on TV. I find Antonelli's videos and commentary so enriching. It's like meeting the girl you've always loved but never really got a chance to know.
OP, I agree, this is one of the greatest plays by a catcher I've ever seen. I am told in MLB history, there are only 3 instances of a catcher running around home plate to field a bunt before the ball is actually bunted. If the batter takes the pitch, he ball goes back to the screen. I'm told all 3 instances were successful getting the runner going to second base.
Yes, awesome play!!!
Great play. I don’t think I’ve seen a 3rd Baseman as hot and ready to play as this one. Guy really had his head in the game.
Incredible play!
Great play all around... catcher hustle and awareness, third baseman backhand and tag and umpire hustle to be in position to make the call.
Wow!
Fantastic play
My son had a deliberate play somewhat like that in HS & college. With a right handed batter (the batter blocks the runners view), he'd call for a pitch low in the dirt thrown on the 1B side... he'd slide over to receive it, while tossing his mask and looking confused like he lost site of the ball. Then turn and get the base runner out at 3B coming home. They called it the toilet play... it worked everytime on a team that didn't know about it.
Just amazing
What a great play! Yes, it's true that the guy on second base didn't run right away, but just look at how much the catcher's throw beats him! Bravo!
Amazing play, I love it!
That was flat out amazing
Years ago San Francisco pulled off a similar play a couple times with a runner at third. The pitch would go over the catcher and bounce off of the backstop. The pitcher would run to the plate as the catcher took a few steps around the umpire. The ball would bounce almost all the way back to the catcher. The catcher would toss the ball to the pitcher who would tag out the befuddled runner. Good ol' trick plays are some of the fun of baseball.
Agreed Matt!
I played for a while behind the dish and I never made a play that beautiful
I remember Gary Sanchez did this in a game vs Houston in extra innings, wild pitch hit the backstop and bounced directly back to him on the fly, he threw out the runner trying to advance to 3rd. It was a much easier play though, no jump-throw needed
Stunning.
Again, great commentary.
Great play
Great video!!!
Did he use his foot to push off the fence? Either way what an athlete. Incredible play.
Unreal!
that was smooth in every way...
there was a short on mlb youtube channel. it said if derek jeter was a catcher.
Impressive!
This thrilling and spectacular play is going to be in a baseball manga/anime someday if this clip goes viral enough.
Great video
I recall seeing Johnny Bench do something similar with the Reds, but that should not be a surprise.
Awesome!
In an NCAA game I was working bases, I had a catcher receive a pitched ball, then put out a runner (pick off) too far lead at second base!
Wow, his throw is so good that the 3rd baseman has to wait on the runner to tag!
This. Is. AWESOME
A great play, at any level!..
Many years ago I played softball. During a game no one covered 2nd base, so I ran to it, caught the throw and tagged the runner out. Did the same at third base in another game. I could get up out of a crouch and beat every batter to first base. Unfortunately the years have caught up to me, so I'm no longer that fast.
that is amazing, jaw dropped!
Must be doing pretty good in school at physics. Looks like he did a foot plant on the backstop before the throw, not to take anything away from his arm, but that had to have helped.
My immediate thoughts.....shortstop! Great play!
Before Matt even said it I knew this guy could play IF, especially shortstop. I was moved from SS in HS to 3B/IB in D1 and the minors as I couldn't make a play like that in the hole at 6'3", even with a good arm. If he can hit he'll get drafted.
I saw the catcher jump onto the brick wall with one leg and push off toward 3rd base. still awesome...
Kind of reminds me of the famous Jeter throw. It figures it would come from the college level. Catcher's knees don't work like that very long into their careers.
this is so much better than that. The Jeter jump throw was literally never a good play. It was him getting to the ball later than any other ss in baseball. An outfielder taking a bad route to a ball and having to slide to catch a ball other fielders catch with ease isn't a great play. The jeter play in the hole is no different.
this is a really incredible play by this catcher.Bare handing a ball bouncing off the wall and in one motion throwing it like that from an angle he's probably never made in his life before is amazing.
I have never seen a play like that from a catcher. Yes a catcher would certainly go after the ball, but there would never be a thought of throwing the ball to third. When he saw the great bounce off the backstop, in his mind he was all in, with the idea of let’s make a play. What a great play.
Bro did his best Jeter impression. LOVE IT!
I don’t know how you jump and throw with huevos that big. Great effort.
My catcher made that play numerous times. He had to. I was wild. LOL
You’re right,Tony. I was a catcher in my athletic days and I’ve never seen a great throw like this from a catcher.😮🎉 oh yeah, I’m 71 now.
Great play for sure, but I will point out the elephant in the room too, which Antoneiil surprisingly completely missed. The catcher got a lucky bounce. Did anybody else see that ball hit an weird corner and bounce back the way it came, right to the catcher? I guarantee you, had the ball bounced away from the catcher like it normally would, and no doubt the runner on 2nd expected it to, the catcher would have had no play at 3rd. That extra split second of time that friendly bounce saved him made all the difference in the world.
Still, incredible play as 99% of catchers or any players will not be able to capitalize on the opportunity that bounce created.
Very athletic catcher!
Got to be one of the best plays I've ever seen a catcher make.
I think the 3rd baseman missed the initial tag, and when he actually tagged the runner, he was safe. But wow, what a great play by the catcher.
Wow! If that ball goes into left field, the guy trots home. Great pick by 3rd. Another reason you don't see it often with 2 outs. Often they just don't throw at all. Did you notice the pitcher's fall off towards first base? (hence the wild pitch) that needs to be corrected. I like to see a drive to home with as little fall to the right or left, depending if you're a righty or a lefty.
The catcher placed his right foot on the wall and threw a bullet. I did stuff like that in tennis and baseball as a young man. Great Athlete
"No catcher in the history of catchers has ever practiced this play before..." LMAO!
As a baseball purist having played & watched baseball since age 6
(69 yrs & counting), I have never seen a play like this. To say it’s a great play doesn’t even BEGIN to describe it!!
That is an amazing play! One guy I did Wonder about, Could Craig Biggio have done that? Was he an infielder as well as a catcher before he got to the majors? That is amazing, usually you see guys who play seven positions like Honus Wagner In 1902 but catcher is not one of them.
I don't think that Bidge played IF in the minors, but he might have. When the Astros first moved him, they put him in the OF. The move to 2B was the following spring, and he must have taken several thousand extra ground balls that spring.
He also used the soldiers on the brick backstop to prop his foot for a planting foot.
Great agility and good gun by the catcher - probably one of many that he threw out that season. though on a field like that where the backstop is that close I'd be leery as a baserunner to automatically take off on a wild pitch unless i had a lot better jump than what this guy had.
Dude's a STUD!
This is why I love baseball. You never know what's going to happen and the fans are treated to a once in a lifetime play.
That was an amazing play, you will never see that again
Third baseman was solid on that play.
Great play , but besides the bad jump off second he is slow ( a bit heavy) regardless though, great instinct and reflexes by the catcher! 👍👏
Magnificent