A bunch of particulars go into an outfielder’s capability to throw out a runner tagging up on a fly ball. These particulars start with getting an excellent learn on the ball off the bat, so the outfielder can settle into place below the fly ball because it drops from the sky. You’ll need to get “behind the ball” because it comes down, so you’ll be able to achieve some ahead momentum into the throw. You’ll additionally need to have your throwing leg again and your glove leg in entrance on the catch, so you’ll be able to transition into the throw shortly utilizing a “pro-step” and reduce any motion as a baserunner good points two steps for each wasted step by a fielder.
Or you possibly can simply have an absolute howitzer for an arm.
The latter is the strategy taken by Ronald Acuña Jr. on Friday night time, because the Atlanta Braves outfielder delivered what would possibly simply be the perfect throw you’ll ever see, no matter sport.
With the Braves holding a 3-0 lead over the visiting New York Yankees within the third inning final night time, the guests have been threatening. New York had runners on first and second with only one out, and Cody Bellinger was on the dish.
Bellinger labored the depend to 2-2, fouling off a number of robust pitches from Spencer Strider, earlier than lifting a deep fly ball to proper discipline off a slider down-and-in. Acuña settled below the fly ball on the warning observe close to the foul line, caught it over his shoulder, after which, with none motion in any respect, merely unleashed an absolute rocket into third base as New York’s Jorbit Vivas was tagging up from second:
Okay.
As somebody paid to explain sporting moments, I’m at a loss to explain this throw past saying THIS IS MIND-BLOWING. Acuña makes this throw and not using a crow-hop or a pro-step; he merely catches the ball over his shoulder, pivots, and throws a supersonic missile into third baseman Nacho Alvarez Jr. And a few credit score goes to Alvarez who offered the play on the finish, ready till the final potential second to get his glove out to snare this frozen rope from Acuña.
Leaving Vivas, and the remainder of us, completely shocked.
And let’s not overlook that this throw is available in from deep proper discipline IN THE AIR. At one level, as this baseball model of a Concorde travels over second base, it appears as if the ball continues to be rising, earlier than dropping proper into Alvarez’s glove for the beautiful double play to finish the inning.
You may watch baseball … heck, you’ll be able to watch each sport possible, for the following ten years and never see a greater throw.
Oh and Acuña additionally went 2-for-3 with a double and a triple.
Not a nasty night time on the ballpark.
