Decide before the pitch
Count the outs and locate each runner. Say where your first throw would go on a ground ball and who covers that base. On a bobble, look again: the available out may have changed.
Learn first
Learn the skill
Read these ideas, then try the situations below. Practice with a coach when a movement is new.
Quiz Mode: try each answer before checking the explanation.
Coach View: use the answers and teaching notes to guide practice.
Secure and communicate
Move to the ball under control, field it before rushing a throw, and call for a fly ball early. A teammate should know whether to cover a base or back up a throw.
Force or tag?
A force exists because the batter becomes a runner and pushes another runner toward the next base. If an out removes that push, touching the next base alone may no longer retire the runner. In divisions with an infield-fly rule, the called batter is out; runners are no longer forced forward, the ball stays live, and an off-base runner may need a tag.
See example: Short feed and cover
Recognize an infield fly
With fewer than two outs and runners on first and second, or the bases loaded, a fair fly that an infielder can catch with ordinary effort may be an infield fly. A bunt or line drive is different. Keep playing because the ball stays live.
Make a backup plan
On a bunt, name the charging fielder, the base cover and the backup before the pitch. On any throw, move behind the likely target so a miss does not travel farther.
Practice it here
Before a 70-foot ground-ball rep, identify the lead runner, first throw and backup. If a legal lead or pickoff changes the runner's position, call a new target.
Situation 01
Know your next play
Before each pitch, the shortstop checks the outs, runners and likely force play, then shares the coverage call with the second baseman.
- 1 Pitcher
- 2 Catcher
- 3 First base
- 4 Second base
- 5 Third base
- 6 Shortstop
- 7 Left field
- 8 Center field
- 9 Right field
Coach answer: Where you will play the ball and who covers the next base A fielder needs both a first play and the teammate covering the target. Otherwise a good throw can find an empty base.
Coaching Points
Ask two adjacent defenders to repeat the same coverage call.
Common Mistakes
Knowing your own job is not enough when the next base is uncovered.
Alternative Considerations
The coach may change alignment by hitter and score; communicate the change.
Coaching tip
Situation 02
Secure the routine out
A ground ball comes with no realistic play on the lead runner. Field under control and choose the available out instead of forcing a late throw.
Coach answer: Take the available out with a controlled throw Secure the ball and take the out that is still available. A late throw at a runner who is already safe adds risk.
Coaching Points
Rehearse the first choice and a fallback when the ball is bobbled.
Common Mistakes
A predetermined throw can survive in a player's mind after the play changes.
Alternative Considerations
Late-game score and outs may justify a different risk; name it before the pitch.
Coaching tip
Situation 03
Recheck the force
The batter is out on an infield fly. A runner leaves a base as the ball drops untouched. The original force situation has changed.
Coach answer: Tag the runner; the batter's out removed the original force With the batter out on an infield fly, the runners are no longer forced to advance. Tag an off-base runner when no other force exists.
Coaching Points
Practice saying force or tag again after the batter is out.
Common Mistakes
The bases occupied at the start do not freeze every later force.
Alternative Considerations
An actual caught fly adds retouch responsibilities; read the catch too.
Related rule or safety source: Infield fly
Situation 04
Recognize an infield fly
There is one out, runners on first and second, and a fair pop-up an infielder can catch with ordinary effort. It is neither a bunt nor a line drive.
Coach answer: Infield fly can apply; keep playing the live ball The umpire can call an infield fly under the right outs and runner conditions. The ball stays live, so keep playing.
Coaching Points
The umpire judges ordinary effort. Players still communicate and try to catch the ball.
Common Mistakes
Do not assume every pop-up anywhere is an infield fly.
Alternative Considerations
With two outs or only a runner on first, these conditions are not met.
Related rule or safety source: Infield fly
Situation 05
Assign bunt coverage
The coach calls a bunt defense. The charging fielder, base cover and backup player repeat their jobs before the next pitch.
Coach answer: One clear fielder, a covered target and a backup One fielder takes the short ball, another covers the target and a third backs up. Everyone charging leaves a base open.
Coaching Points
Walk through the rotation without a ball, then add a controlled bunt.
Common Mistakes
Two fielders charging can leave a base empty.
Alternative Considerations
Use different calls for runners on first and first-and-second; do not improvise a universal rotation.
Coaching tip
Situation 06
Defend an actual lead
An Intermediate runner takes a lead. The pitcher and infielder agree on a pickoff signal and a safe receiving position.
Coach answer: Legal pickoff moves belong in this division's defense Intermediate permits leads and legal pickoff moves. The pitcher and receiver need a clear signal and safe tag.
Coaching Points
Rehearse a legal step-and-throw and a clear target at low intensity.
Common Mistakes
Majors no-pre-pitch-lead teaching is not the Intermediate rule.
Alternative Considerations
Do not overuse throws; coordinate this practice with the day's workload.
Related rule or safety source: Leaving a base Balk Safety
Finish line
You reached the end of Lesson 2 of 8: Situational Defense Reference
Go on to lesson 3, or return to the 50/70 Dugout. Review any part from the Sections menu.
Connect learning and practice
Practice this skill
Secure the ball and identify the covered force or tag play.
Read the complete setup, equipment and stop instructions before activity. A missed question never prescribes extra throwing.