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
On the 60-foot field, call the first throw before a ground ball arrives. Recheck the force after an out or an infield-fly call instead of repeating the first plan.
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
Separate the force from the fly rule
In AAA, the umpire declares an infield fly. It drops untouched in fair territory. The batter is out, the ball stays live and runners are no longer forced to advance.
Coach answer: The batter is out; tag an off-base runner because the force is gone After an infield-fly batter out, the original force disappears. On a dropped ball, tag an off-base runner instead of just touching the next base.
Coaching Points
Secure the ball and identify the actual force or tag play before throwing.
Common Mistakes
AAA runners are not forced forward after the infield-fly batter out.
Alternative Considerations
A caught ball is a different event; walk through it separately.
Related rule or safety source: Infield fly
Situation 04
Apply this division's fly rule
There is one out with first and second occupied. A fair fly, not a bunt or liner, is within ordinary infield effort. In AAA, the national infield-fly rule is in effect: a fly like this may be called an infield fly, which puts the batter out but does not kill the ball.
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 catch still matters. Communicate and avoid collisions rather than waiting for an assumed outcome.
Common Mistakes
Ordinary effort is a judgment appropriate to the players, not a painted line.
Alternative Considerations
Keep playing the live ball after the infield-fly call.
Related rule or safety source: Infield fly
Situation 05
Assign coverage for a short ball
AAA defenders rehearse coverage for a legally committed bunt.
Coach answer: Name the fielder, covered target and 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 the jobs first, then add a controlled ball and receiver.
Common Mistakes
A short ball does not require every infielder to chase it.
Alternative Considerations
AAA permits a committed bunt; rehearse the fielder, target and backup without a fake bunt then full swing.
Related rule or safety source: Batting
Situation 06
Defend after legal departure
The pitcher has the ball on the plate and the catcher is ready. This Minor runner has no legal pre-pitch lead.
Coach answer: A covered base and a controlled play after legal departure AAA runners have no pre-pitch lead. Practice the legal play after the delivered pitch reaches the batter.
Coaching Points
There is no conventional pre-pitch-lead pickoff situation. That does not mean every later attempt to retire a runner is forbidden.
Common Mistakes
Do not import Intermediate leads or use the no-balk classification as a complete illegal-pitch rule.
Alternative Considerations
AAA departure timing comes from Rule 7.13; check the actual runner play.
Related rule or safety source: Leaving a base Balk
Finish line
You reached the end of Lesson 2 of 8: Situational Defense Reference
Go on to lesson 3, or return to the AAA 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.