jjmoney62 wrote:
If he had taken the angle, wouldn't he have had to run faster to catch up with the ball and make the catch?
The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. You are correct.
If the fielder had been able to run faster, he would have made the catch with the path he took.
Taking an angle, whether in the outfield or infield, is a luxury the outfielder didn't have and was wise to avoid. You take an angle to set yourself up for a favorable hop or to make a strong throw. It takes more time, which is the enemy of anyone desperate to reach a drive in the air.
Captain Obvious, over and out.