Defending 1st and 3rd situations.

Here is the list of things that can happen with runners on 1st and 3rd, broken up into different categories:

A. Things that happen before the gets a chance to throw a pitch: 1. Early break (runner at 1st breaks early for 2nd) i. Step off – “Batta Boom”, Show the Ball to R3 and read the runner – throw to 3B or run a banana route to the home side to turn the runner back toward 3B – if you see R3’s chest, run the banana route, if you see R3’s left shoulder then get the ball to the quickly). ii. Show the Ball to R3 (and if he’s close to 3B) Turn toward 2B and: a. Get the ball to the 2nd baseman who will be in the baseline approx 15 feet from 2B (The read for this decision is if the runner is stopped in the baseline and is showing you his chest). b. Get the ball to the SS who will be on 2B (The read for this decision is when you see the runner’s left shoulder and he is moving at full speed toward 2B. In this case, throwing the ball to the 2nd baseman may handcuff the 2nd baseman and not give him enough time to catch the ball and tag R1). iii. 2nd baseman (or SS) walks the runner back to 1st (legs in a gallop with right foot back and left foot toward 1st base) with his eyes ½ on the runner he’s chasing to 1st and ½ on the runner at 3rd (The SS should NEVER throw to 1B…just walk the runner all the way back, when the runner gets 15-25 feet from 1B the 1st Baseman calls for the ball and the SS dekes a throw to 1B with the goal of getting the runner to change direction into the SS’s tag) iv. Third Baseman yells “4,4,4” if the runner at 3rd breaks for home – the short stop throws home. (Unless we are in a give up the run and get the situation based on inning, score, and outs)

NOTE: There are options used with different numbers of outs.

2. 1 way lead (runner at 1st takes a big lead to draw a pick off throw to 1st base) i. If the 1st baseman sees an unusually big lead, he should say “step off.” We want to keep the ball out of the 1st baseman’s hands. More on this later.

3. Runner at 3rd breaks to home: This is not a standard play, but can happen as a mistake by the runner at 3rd. i. Pitcher steps off and runs to get between the runner and home. If the pitcher gets there, he runs the runner back to 3rd in our normal run down. ii. As soon as the pitcher realizes he can’t get between the runner and home he throws to the catcher who initiates the run down.

4. Pitcher executes the 3rd to 1st move and the runner at 3rd breaks to home. i. Same as 3. 5. Pitcher executes the 3rd to 1st move and the runner at 1st breaks to 2nd i. Same as 1. 6. Pitcher executes a pick to 3rd and the runner at 1st breaks to 2nd. i. Same as 1. 7. Pitcher executes a pick to 1st and the runner at 1st breaks to 2nd. i. 1B reads R3 while moving inside for a throw to 2B. ii. If R3 is going home. 1B makes a play on R3. iii. If R3 is 15-20 feet from 3B – 1B, runs hard for 5 steps to 2nd and dekes a throw to 2B…then looks to get R3. iv. If R3 is very close (5 feet from 3B, 1B reads R1: a. If R1 is close and looking at him, 1B can fake and then assume responsibility for running him down and tagging R1. b. If R1 is close and moving toward 2B, 1B should run him to full speed and execute a run down (Realize that a good runner at 3B will run home when the 1B throws the ball toward 2B – so the best play for us is for the 1B to deke and tag the runner himself (deke’s work best when the runner has slowed and is looking at the 1B man. c. If R1 is at 45 feet and still, the 2B needs to close behind the runner (While the 2B closes, the 1B may have time to deke to SS and look at 3B – remember good R3’s want to go when the ball is thrown by the 1B toward 2B). This does not violate our “if you deke you have to tag the runner yourself rule, because you are far away from the receiver – the rule applies when you are at full speed, close to the receiver, and the receiver has called for the ball. d. If R1 is far and moving away from you, the 1B needs to decide whether to concede 2B and make a fake and look to 3B or potentially concede a run by making the long throw to 2B for a tag at the bag (NOTE: The decision to concede the run is made before the play and is given as a signal by the catcher). 8. Pitcher executes a pick to 1st and the runner at 3rd breaks to home. i. 1B should read that as he clears inside and throw home (See 7.ii above) 9. Pitcher executes a pick to 1st and both runners break to the next base. i. Same as 8

B. Things that happen if the pitcher throws home and the batter either takes or swings and misses: 1. Passed Ball i. Pitcher helps with (333, 111, feet feet feet, or back back back) and covers the plate. 1st baseman backs up the play. 2. Straight Steal of 2B i. More Details below on our 5 plays and signs from the catcher. 3. Delay Steal of 2B i. Backing up the throw back to the pitcher in our standard pinch takes care of this situation. It puts us in (2) Through…more details below. ii. If the 2B is breaking toward the bag for a steal coverage and the runner doesn’t steal, then the 2B needs to move in from the bag to the cut position and the SS moves in from his back up of 2B position to cover 2B. 4. Mistake by the runner at 3rd (breaks too far from 3rd) i. Catcher needs to decide whether to snap throw to 3rd, run him back, or deke to 2B and then either snap throw of run him back. 5. Mistake by R1 (or aggressive play by R1)(snap throw from catcher to 1B and the runner breaks toward 2nd…problem of the ball being in the 1B’s hands. i. Same as A.7 6. Dropped Strike 3 with less than 2 outs i. 1B and Pitcher Yell “He’s out, He’s out, He’s out.” NOTE: If the runner at 1st has run to steal 2nd, he is still a “runner on 1st” for the purpose of this rule and the batter is still out. Our can fake a throw to 1st and look back door to the runner at 3rd or the runner at 2nd. 7. Dropped Strike 3 with 2 outs i. 1st Baseman yells “1,1,1” and indicates “Inside, Inside” or “Outside, Outside” depending on where the dropped pitch takes the catcher. Before throwing to 1B with a runner on 3rd it is always a good idea to check R3 if we have time. It’s also a good idea to deke and look at R3 if we have time on balls that fall at our feet. Both of these suggestions apply more to a close , than they do to this situation, however because there are two outs and the out at 1st is a force and will negate the run even if R3 crosses the plate before the out at 1B.

C. Things that happen if the pitcher throws home and the batter bunts: 1. Bunt and Run (Runner at 1st steals 2nd and they bunt) i. We cover 2B based on the catchers sign for 1st and 3rd , If the batter misses the bunt or fakes the bunt, we cover 2B based on our bunt coverage. ii. If the batter gets the bunt down, we look the runner at 3rd back and get an out at 1st base (1B gets on a skateboard and comes up looking for R2 and R3).

2. Same thing as C1, except they add a safety squeeze for the runner on 3B i. If we can get the runner at the plate we do, if there’s any doubt we get the out at 1st base (and come up looking for the runner at 2nd).. 3. Same thing as 3a, except it’s a suicide squeeze i. The 3rd baseman would follow the runner at 3rd in because that’s how we defend the suicide squeeze. ii. Realizing it’s a long shot to get the runner out at the plate on a well executed suicide squeeze, we get an out at 1st (and come up looking for the runner at 2nd). Apply the “arms extended rule” to determine if we get the out at home. 4. Bunt pops up in the air. i. Catcher and Pitcher communicate as normal (I got it x 3, Take it x 3). ii. Other defenders call “I got it” to freeze the runners.

D. Things that happen if the pitcher throws home and the batter hits the ball: 1. Hits a ground ball to the i. React depending on what defense we are in. 1. In Defense 1 (two outs) P throws to 1st to get the 3rd out. a. If it’s a tough play – swinging bunt down 3B line. P or 3B might deke to 1st and look back door to 2B to get runner who started at 1B. 2. In Defense 2 we turn the play – P throws to 2B to turn DP. 3. In Defense 3 the Pitcher evaluates R3 and either throws home, gets him in a run down, or throws to 1st base after looking the runner back. On a sharply hit ball when the batter has only average or below average speed, the Pitcher can look the runner back and deke to 1st, look back at R3 and still have time to get the batter runner. Use the deke to 1st and look back door to set up R3 so he might get too far off of 3rd Base.

2. Hits a to the outfield i. 2 bases in front of the lead runner, NOTE: The lead runner in this case is the runner at 1st. When the lead runner has left early to steal a base, the catcher needs to read the runner and where the ball is hit and determine if 2 bases is enough. On a ball down the line that’s a long run for our , if the runner at 1st has stolen and has good speed, we may line up to home. We can still cut that ball and keep the batter from a double.

3. Hits a double to the outfield i. 3 Bases in front of the lead runner, 1B is the cut to home. 4. Hits a fly ball far from 1B or one that pulls the 1st Baseman off of his bag (Or a fly ball far from 3B or one that pulls the 3rd Baseman off of his bag). i. Realize that if the runner at 1st breaks toward 2nd, a long throw toward 2nd base will always score the runner from 3rd. Consider making a fake throw to 2nd and looking backside to the runner at 3B. Make the offense hit the ball to score runs. Let’s avoid “throwing RBI’s for them.” ii. Pitcher needs to cover the base vacated by the corner who is going back to catch the fly ball.

***As a part of the catcher’s signs he indicates whether we want to always cut off the run at the plate or whether we will trade an out for a run (if we are up big in late innings). Here’s a situation example

There’s a runner on 1st with 1 out and the batter hits a single down the right field line. The RF hustles to the ball and the team realizes that R1 will make it to 3rd Base because of the long distance the RF has to run before getting to the ball (this would also be the case if it was a and the ball was hit at the RF).

Knowing this the RF’s focus is on eliminating a double for the batter runner. Before the RF reaches the ball the catcher let’s the team know whether the throw should go to 2B, 3B, or Home (if the single to the RF line was combined with good speed at R1 and a hit and run play).

The RF fields the ball and throws to

2B (covered by the 2B if he can get back, the SS, if there’s an early indication that there will be no play to 3B, or to the CF if the 2B is out of position (i.e. chasing the single down the RF line and the SS is in the middle of the infield because the decision on whether to throw to 2B or 3B was last second)

3B The relay man (the SS in the middle of the IF – the CF has come in to cover 2B – the LF is backing up the throw to 2nd base to eliminate the double – the P is backing up 3rd Base, but will shift to back up Home plate when the play shifts away from 2B and the RF is able to back up 3rd.

The result of the play are runners on 1st and 3rd with 1 out.

Just like we always do when a situation changes we would “turn and talk.”

A. 2B/SS turn and talk to the OF “Number of Outs – where the plus and minus speed is – (Single / Long Run Single / Double / Fly Ball In / Fly Ball Deep)

B. The OF looks to the bench and talks to each other about positioning for the hitter and the score situation.

C. 1B tells the pitcher that the pitcher has left side on a bunt and crash center on a squeeze, pitcher repeats “I’ve got left side on a bunt – crash center on a squeeze.” NOTE: This bunt coverage sets us up to handle all of the situations in “C” on page 3 above.

D. The pitcher turns to short and says “I’ve got you on a .” Using the upside down hang loose (thumb to pitcher and pinkie finger to SS) NOTE: When we’re in defense 3 the corners and the pitcher will go home on a ground ball, When we’re in defense 2 we’ll try and turn the double play to get out of the inning since there was 1 out to start. The pitcher only turns to the short stop if we are in defense 2.

E. Now the catcher comes out in front of the plate and gives the 1st and 3rd Double Steel sign. This sign tells us how to defend situation “B 2 “ on page 2 above.

(1) You: Throw back to the pitcher. (2) Through: Normal Pinch…2B in front of bag, SS on the bag. 2B reads the runner at 3rd and listens for the 3rd baseman to yell 4,4,4. The 2nd baseman cuts if the runner at third breaks for home. He dekes (slaps his glove) and lets the ball go through if the runner at 3rd doesn’t break for home. (3) Fake: Catcher fakes to 2nd and throws to 3rd. (4) Two: Standard steal coverage, either the 2nd baseman or the SS covers based on whether a left handed or right handed batter is up.

***As a part of the catcher’s signs he indicates whether we want to always cut off the run at the plate or whether we will trade an out for a run (if we are up big in late innings).

Last note. There are two reasons I added in the numbers 1,2,3 and 4 next to the You, Through, Fake, Two. The first is that I will signal to the catcher using the numbers. The catcher translates it into our sign. The 2nd reason is that the numbers can help you remember the play, so when you see the catcher’s signal you can translate it both ways (you, through, fake, two) and the numbers with memory aids below.

A throw back to the pitcher…who is playing position number 1. A throw to 2nd and has 2 players in line to catch the ball (2nd Base and SS). A throw to 3rd A throw to the 2B (Position 4) covering 2B for a right handed batter (it’s SS or position 6 for a left handed batter – based on the open mouth / closed mouth sign ) A throw to the SS or 2B on a direct path from their position toward home plate.