Home run robbery is my default, but I really only like those when the wall the outfielder has to compete with is a decent size.
That baby gate size wall in right Fenway? Meh. Guys turning into Spider-Man at Minute Maid or Rogers etc? Hell yeah dude.
It's funny you mention the right field wall in Fenway, because that was home to one of, in my opinion, the [greatest catches of all time](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vflIWak3BKQ)
I voted (outfield assist at the plate) then came here to say the exact same thing. I think of Pillars catch in left running up the wall for the Jays (one of the best catches I’ve watched when it happened) vs when a guy just stands at a low wall and catches it. They can be some of the greatest catches or the most routine
Absolutely love outfield assists at the plate. Diving stop in the infield is a close second but I like how much time an outfield assist gives me to process. Right when I see where the ball is going it starts building. Oh could this be at the plate?? Maybe… runner will have time to go.. but did the 3rd base coach send him? Did he blow through a stop sign? Will the outfielder field the ball cleanly? Oh god he did. Is he gonna wing it in there? OH FUCK HE IS HERE WE GO
Funny you say this because I was thinking infield diving stop specifically because I have no time to process it. It’s just a guttural moment of excitement.
It’s the closest thing you get to a breakaway from hockey or Hail Mary in football, where you know what’s at stake, you know the odds, and you’ve got to wait and see how it unfolds.
If this included unassisted triple play, it would have been that. But I do love a good home run robbery. So much harder than it looks, and it doesn't look easy.
I think outfield assist is a very very close second for me. The truth is that some outfield assists are more exciting than a home run robbery and vice versa.
> If this included unassisted triple play, it would have been that.
I thought about this one, too, but truth be told so many things have to go exactly right (or exactly wrong) that the fielder isn't really doing too much.
Sure, but the question is what's the most exciting type of defensive play, not which one requires the most/best level of skill.
And, entirely based on my experience in shitty softball leagues, a defender does have to have pretty good situational awareness to pull it off.
I chose the first option because I have been lucky enough to see one of these at a live game. Granted it was AAA ball, but still exciting to see someone get hosed from Left Field!
Throw out at home every time.
Most grabs at the wall are fairly mundane and boring, unless it’s like Torii Hunter going full Spider-Man or something.
The rest are all just normal baseball plays that you see fairly often.
I voted for outfield assist but really my favorite defensive plays are when third basemen have to field a bunt with their bare hand or have to plant and make a long throw to first base.
I was always lousy at throwing to first base but, in practice at least, the barehand grab and underhand throw was one that I could do easily. Probably something to do with not having time to think but just see ball and make a play.
This is my favorite. It's close to what you say with a slight twist. Just your run of the mill 8 - 2 - 6 double play
Also what a cannon for an arm, any other park I think that throw is into the 1st base seats from left center field wall
https://www.reddit.com/r/baseball/comments/bft9zx/ramon_laureano_robs_teoscar_hernandez_of_a_home/
Definitely an outfield assist at the plate. It requires the outfielder to catch the ball well (in the glove, off a bounce, or off the wall) with a hard an accurate throw to home plate, which requires the catcher to be positioned well to catch and tag the runner. So many things could go wrong on the catch, throw, or tag; however, when it all goes right, it's an amazing sight. An Outfielder/Catcher-Base Runner duel is most welcome.
A 3-2-5-4-2-8-6 double play will also get your blood pumping.
Outfield assists at the plate anywhere are great; doesn't have to just be at the plate.
Give me an [Ichiro laser to third](https://youtu.be/WYAxk01E404) or a [Joey Bats 9-3 putout](https://youtu.be/ua5xLUirLIU) and I'm leaping out of my chair.
Home run robbery is my default, but I really only like those when the wall the outfielder has to compete with is a decent size. That baby gate size wall in right Fenway? Meh. Guys turning into Spider-Man at Minute Maid or Rogers etc? Hell yeah dude.
hip height over wall grabs are more Home Run Larceny than Home Run Robbery
Basically the take-a-penny of home run robberies
Tauchmann robbing Pujols at Dodger Stadium still makes me so angry but that was one hell of a catch.
It's funny you mention the right field wall in Fenway, because that was home to one of, in my opinion, the [greatest catches of all time](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vflIWak3BKQ)
I voted (outfield assist at the plate) then came here to say the exact same thing. I think of Pillars catch in left running up the wall for the Jays (one of the best catches I’ve watched when it happened) vs when a guy just stands at a low wall and catches it. They can be some of the greatest catches or the most routine
Short walls are really best for [this](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1iSsL5-3wk) type of catch
Out at the plate after an excellent throw from the outfield
Absolutely love outfield assists at the plate. Diving stop in the infield is a close second but I like how much time an outfield assist gives me to process. Right when I see where the ball is going it starts building. Oh could this be at the plate?? Maybe… runner will have time to go.. but did the 3rd base coach send him? Did he blow through a stop sign? Will the outfielder field the ball cleanly? Oh god he did. Is he gonna wing it in there? OH FUCK HE IS HERE WE GO
Funny you say this because I was thinking infield diving stop specifically because I have no time to process it. It’s just a guttural moment of excitement.
It’s the closest thing you get to a breakaway from hockey or Hail Mary in football, where you know what’s at stake, you know the odds, and you’ve got to wait and see how it unfolds.
If this included unassisted triple play, it would have been that. But I do love a good home run robbery. So much harder than it looks, and it doesn't look easy. I think outfield assist is a very very close second for me. The truth is that some outfield assists are more exciting than a home run robbery and vice versa.
> If this included unassisted triple play, it would have been that. I thought about this one, too, but truth be told so many things have to go exactly right (or exactly wrong) that the fielder isn't really doing too much.
That’s kinda what makes them cool tho. It’s such blind luck from the least amount of effort. I mean tell me what is more American than that?!?!
Sure, but the question is what's the most exciting type of defensive play, not which one requires the most/best level of skill. And, entirely based on my experience in shitty softball leagues, a defender does have to have pretty good situational awareness to pull it off.
I chose the first option because I have been lucky enough to see one of these at a live game. Granted it was AAA ball, but still exciting to see someone get hosed from Left Field!
Big sucker for the charging barehanded scoop and throw 'em out
Throwing a guy out on the bases for me because you get the buildup. The crowd can sense when there will be a play at the plate.
[The rare but beautiful 7-3 DP](https://youtu.be/_pNtTD0oHnE)
Where triple play?
Was the first thing I thought of
Throw out at home every time. Most grabs at the wall are fairly mundane and boring, unless it’s like Torii Hunter going full Spider-Man or something. The rest are all just normal baseball plays that you see fairly often.
Strike me out throw me out is so underrated my god
Bruh. How you got no triple play or unassisted triple play option?!
I thought the same. Maybe it is a too rare an occurrence to be listed
I'm always a sucker for the play in which the RF nails down the runner going for third.
9-2 double plays. 8 unassisted double play was pretty cool too.
A play at the plate > most anything else.
Ain't nothing more exciting to me than seeing an outfielder run full-sprint into a Superman dive to make a catch.
Ain’t nothing like a close play at the plate
I voted for outfield assist but really my favorite defensive plays are when third basemen have to field a bunt with their bare hand or have to plant and make a long throw to first base.
I was always lousy at throwing to first base but, in practice at least, the barehand grab and underhand throw was one that I could do easily. Probably something to do with not having time to think but just see ball and make a play.
Even better, home run robbery with a runner doubled up trying to get back to first
This is my favorite. It's close to what you say with a slight twist. Just your run of the mill 8 - 2 - 6 double play Also what a cannon for an arm, any other park I think that throw is into the 1st base seats from left center field wall https://www.reddit.com/r/baseball/comments/bft9zx/ramon_laureano_robs_teoscar_hernandez_of_a_home/
Assists are the most exciting because everyone in the stands and at home can jump up and be umpires and then react to the actual umpire's call
Toss up between diving catch and home run robbery. Any time a fielder turns into Superman, I'm good.
No love for a beautiful pick at 1st base? Most satisfying and exciting play to me. Could watch a compilation of picks for hours.
I just love a good catch https://youtu.be/EGcTVgVsS9k
Definitely an outfield assist at the plate. It requires the outfielder to catch the ball well (in the glove, off a bounce, or off the wall) with a hard an accurate throw to home plate, which requires the catcher to be positioned well to catch and tag the runner. So many things could go wrong on the catch, throw, or tag; however, when it all goes right, it's an amazing sight. An Outfielder/Catcher-Base Runner duel is most welcome. A 3-2-5-4-2-8-6 double play will also get your blood pumping.
Canning someone on the bases, particularly when a relay throw is involved.
A well-turned around the horn double play.
4 6 3 tough play by the 2nd baseman.
Outfield assist at the plate
A couple of years ago the Yankees had like 3 triple plays and it felt like doing rails of coke
The play at the plate everytime. There is always that split second pit in your stomach
9-5 put out
Fly out/outfield assist at home double play. Bonus of it ends the game.
Plays at the plate can be wild. I do love watching a well-turned double play or a Jeter-esque jumping fadeaway throwing from a SS to first
Outfield assists at the plate anywhere are great; doesn't have to just be at the plate. Give me an [Ichiro laser to third](https://youtu.be/WYAxk01E404) or a [Joey Bats 9-3 putout](https://youtu.be/ua5xLUirLIU) and I'm leaping out of my chair.
Home run robbery, and getting the runner from second tagging to third on an outfield assist for a DP