DEFENSING THE “NOT SO COMMON” FIRST AND THIRD SITUATION

Defensing the Foul Pop Fly To The First Baseman With Runners On First and Third Bases.

When a foul pop fly is hit between first base and home plate that the first baseman can catch, the runners on first and third bases tag up. The runner on first base breaks for second base hoping to draw a throw from the first baseman to second base. If the baseman throws to second base and there is no cut-off man, the runner at third base will score easily.

The greater the distance is between the foul line and the grandstand or out-of-play line, the more difficult it is to defend this play.

Like the pop fly behind home plate, there must be a cut-off man to shorten the first baseman’s throw.

1. Pitcher : Covers home plate
2. Catcher : Goes after the pop fly.
3. First Baseman : Makes the catch, checks the runner at third base.
   1. If the runner at third base has an extra ordinarily large lead, DON’T throw to third base!
   2. The runner on third will break for home when the first baseman releases the ball to third base and will be able to beat the third baseman’s return throw to home plate.
   3. A full-arm fake may force the runner at third base to break for home plate or run hard at him to force him back to third base.
   4. Both of these tactics will concede second base but will save a run.
   5. A quick hard throw to the cut-off man is the primary defense for this situation when the runner is frozen at third base.
4. Second Baseman :
   1. Runs to the cut-off position, which is in a direct line between the first baseman and second base and about equidistant between the two, cuts the throw off, checks the runner at third base, and throws him out if he is breaks for home plate.
   2. If the runner at third base stays on the base or has a short lead, freeze him there and throw to the shortstop at second base.
   3. If the runner at third base is too far off the base to get back safely and attempts to return to the base… “throw him out!”
   4. If the runner at third base is too far off the base to get back safely and stands there, run hard at him (on the home plate side) to drive him back to third base and then either tag him out, or throw him out!
5. Shortstop :
   1. Covers second base ready to receive second baseman’s throw and tag the runner.
   2. If the base runner going to second base stops and getS“hung up” and there are less than two outs after the first baseman’s catch, the shortstop walks the runner back to first base. (Runner at third base did not break for home plate after the first baseman’s catch or throw.)
   3. If the base runner going to second base stops and gets “hung up” and there are two outs after the first baseman’s catch, the shortstop runs hard at the trapped runner and attempts to get the third out before the runner at third base can score. (Runner at third base did not break for home plate after the first baseman’s catch or throw.)
6. Third Baseman :
   1. Covers third base.
   2. Lets the shortstop know if the runner at third base breaks for home plate.
   3. If the run down between first and second base has begun and there are two outs before the runner breaks for home plate the third baseman says nothing.
   4. If there are less than two outs, he yells home! home! or four! four! when the runner breaks for home plate.
   5. Yells “ Release!” if the runner reaches the “point of no return” and there are less than two outs
7. Left Fielder : Backs up third base.
8. Center Fielder : Backs up second base.
9. Right Fielder : Covers first base.

Defensing the Foul Pop Fly To The Third Baseman With Runners On First and Third Bases.

This situation is almost identical to the foul pop fly to the first baseman except the third baseman makes the catch of the foul pop fly and the shortstop is the cut-off man rather than the second baseman.

1. Pitcher : Covers home plate.
2. Catcher : Goes after the pop fly.
3. First Baseman : Covers first base.
4. Second Baseman :
   1. Covers second base and is ready to receive the shortstop’s throw and tag the runner out.
   2. If the base runner going to second base stops and gets “hung up” and there are less than two outs after the third baseman’s catch, the second baseman walks the runner back to first base. ((Runner at third base did not break for home plate after the first baseman’s catch or throw.)
   3. If the base runner going to second base stops and gets “hung up” and there are two outs after the third baseman’s catch, the second baseman runs hard at the trapped runner and attempts to get the third out before the runner at third base can score. (Runner at third base did not break for home plate after the first baseman’s catch or throw.)
5. Shortstop :
   1. Runs to the cut-off position, which is in a direct line between the third baseman and second base and about equidistant between the two, cuts the throw off, checks the runner at third base and throws him out if he is breaking for home plate.
   2. If the runner at third base stays on the base or has a short lead, freeze him there and throw to the second baseman at second base.
   3. If the runner at third base is too far off the base to get back safely and attempts to return to the base… “throw him out!”
   4. If the runner at third base is too far off the base to get back safely and stands there, run hard at him (on the home plate side) to drive him back to third base and then either tag him out, or throw him out!
6. Third Baseman :
   1. Makes the catch and then checks the runner at third base.
   2. Make a quick hard throw to the shortstop in the cut-off position if the runner is on or near third base.
   3. If the runner is breaking for home plate, throw him out.
   4. Return to third base.
7. Left Fielder : Be prepared to cover third base.
8. Center Fielder : Back up second base.
9. Right Fielder : Back up first base.

SEE DIAGRAMS BELOW:

Second Baseman is cut off man when first baseman makes play on first base side of diamond.

Shortstop is cut off man when catcher makes play on third base side of diamond.

Good Luck!