Team Defense
1st and 3rd Defense
Embedded Files
With runners on 1st and 3rd, the catcher will get the play call from the head coach. The catcher will then signal the play to the infielders. Before the pitch, the 1st baseman should remind the pitcher to watch for the roll off. With the exception of Play 1 below, it is the 3rd baseman's responsibility to let the other fielders know what the runner at 3rd base is doing. If the runner breaks for the plate, the 3rd baseman should yell “FOUR! FOUR!” If the runner does not break but gets too far off, the 3rd baseman should yell “RUNNER! RUNNER!”
Play 1 - Throw through to 2nd Base
Play 1 - Throw through to 2nd Base
The catcher throws straight to 2nd base to get the out. The 2nd baseman or shortstop, depending on the hitter and the situation, will cover the bag for the steal. The pitcher should decoy cutting the throw to freeze the runner at 3rd, but we are essentially trading the run for a shot at an out.
Play 2 - Cut Play
Play 2 - Cut Play
The catcher receives the pitch and checks the runner in his peripheral vision while setting his feet to throw 2nd base. If the runner is too far off (3rd base will be yelling and have both hands up), the catcher should reset his feet and throw behind the runner at 3rd or start a rundown depending on what the runner does. If the runner at 3rd stays close, the catcher will throw to second. This throw cannot be high and must be on line. The middle infielder covering the bag, with help from the 3rd baseman, will read the runner at 3rd base. If the middle infielder reads or is alerted that the runner at 3rd base is trying to score or is too far off, he will come up towards the plate and cut off the ball, then make a play on the runner from 3rd base as shown in the examples below.
If the runner at 3rd base does not try to steal, the middle infielder will catch the ball and tag the other baserunner at 2nd base. Unlike the big leaguers, the pitcher should decoy cutting the ball when it is thrown through to 2nd base.
For this play to work, both throws must be accurate. In the clip below, the runner would have been out at the plate had the middle infielder made a better throw. Let's execute better than the White Sox did in this example.
Play 3 - Throw to 3rd
Play 3 - Throw to 3rd
The catcher receives the pitch and throws the ball immediately to 3rd base. If you know the runner at 3rd is really aggressive, consider giving a full arm fake to 2nd base to draw the runner at 3rd off the base.
Play 4 - Throw to the Pitcher
Play 4 - Throw to the Pitcher
The catcher receives the pitch and throws the ball hard to the pitcher, aiming for the “G” on his hat. The pitcher will reach up and catch it, immediately check the runner at 3rd base, and then react accordingly.
Defending the Roll Off
Defending the Roll Off
The play starts with the first baseman telling the pitcher to step off. The pitcher steps off and quickly moves down the mound toward 2nd base acting as if he forgot about the runner on 3rd. Once off the mound, he will check the runner at 3rd base. If the runner at 3rd base drifts off too far, he should make a play on that runner. If the runner at 3rd base is still close to the bag, he should then turn and throw the ball to the 2nd baseman. After receiving the ball from the pitcher, the 2nd baseman will work the runner back to 1st with the ball out of his glove (like a rundown) at a controlled pace. If the runner never commits, chase him all the way back to 1st base. As always, it is the 3rd baseman's responsibility to let the other fielders know what the runner at 3rd base is doing. If the runner breaks for the plate, the 3rd baseman should yell “FOUR! FOUR!” If the runner does not break but gets too far off, the 3rd baseman should yell “RUNNER! RUNNER!”
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse