Does anyone think Jones could have caught that ball?

If the runner wasnt obstructing and Alex had a clear lane to make the throw then yea

A man with 20 ft arms would have had trouble catching that ball

I’d think Milazzo staying on the plate and herring going home would’ve been the easiest play. It was hit way too far away from the plate for the catcher to make the play

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I do think that herring being left handed would have had a much more difficult chance to make the play.

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Herring would have had to pick it up cleanly, turn around and fire an absolute missile judging by that replay. But at least his feet would have been set and he's a much better athlete than Alex, who had no business throwing on the run. Herring might not have gotten the out, but he probably wouldn't have thrown it in the shitter to end the game.

In real time, though, I though Alex called for the ball a little too early. I think he misjudged just how far out into the grass that was gonna wind up. If he hadn't called it so early and Herring had kept coming, I think Herring is in a different, closer, better spot to make the play that he wound up being. Like if Alex had never moved and stayed to cover home and Herring knew it was his ball and didn't have to worry about running into anybody, he has a really good chance of getting him. But I've done and seen enough PFPs/bunt coverages to know that just about anybody is capable of throwing it in the shitter at any time and from anywhere.

But speaking of PFPs and bunt coverages, I bet if that was practice, Herring would have been the one making that play. But with all the pressure of that situation, Alex misjudged it, called for it too soon, and threw a ball on the run and from an angle he may never have before in his whole career. I will say, I am at least glad he took charge and took immediate action. We wouldn't have lost on that play (they'd have just tied it up but still had the bases loaded), but I have seen that play where neither are sure who's in the best position for it, are scared of a collision, and neither one of them wind up grabbing it in time and just have to put it in their pocket.

Again, it's hard to say because it lost the game, but I'm glad our Sr. catcher at least acted without hesitation, communicated, and took charge to try to win it. A lot better than all the lack of communication by our OFers lately that has caused some missed balls and a couple of collisions.

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but I thought maybe he could’ve come off and caught that ball.

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at the people trying to put this on Jones. Milazzo threw a bullet from less than 60 feet away. There is no time to “come off” and catch it. Jones is a giant target and Alex missed it. I’m a huge Milazzo guy and was happy to see him in the lineup yesterday. He blew that play.

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Wasn't there a big to do last year about runners running to the inside of the line being runner interference?

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The runner need to actually interfere with the catch. Simply being where he was doesn’t get you called out. I’m pretty sure we would have been better off if Milazzo hit the runner with the ball.

It's interference, pure and simple. If you can't see that, I can't help you.

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I’d think Milazzo staying on the plate and herring going home would’ve been the easiest play. It was hit way too far away from the plate for the catcher to make the play

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I have no problem with Milazzo being aggressive. I think he felt rushed and threw without setting his feet. I think that’s what cost him.

That’s why lefty’s play first.