DEFENSIVE RESPONSIBILITIES http://www.baseballpositive.com/ "Baseball is a Game of Movement". This is a foreign concept for most youth baseball and softball players. If we could dig into the brain of ballplayers ages 5-12 right next to the idea of 'Baseball' we would find the phrase 'a game where you stand around a lot and don't do anything' (and we wonder why participation is dwindling). When the game is played properly each player on defense is moving (sprinting) the moment the ball comes off the bat. We can do a better job of teaching kids how to play the game. This section is dedicated to helping coaches teach kids their defensive responsibilities on each play regardless of where the ball is hit or where the runners are. Before digging in, let's add something to the old coaching comment, "Be sure you know what to do if the ball is hit to you". But the ball is hit to one player; what about the other eight? The must also teach our players, "Know what you are going to do when the ball is NOT hit to you". The first part of this section outlines in clear and simple terms, the 'Rules for Defensive Movement'. These rules form the foundation for the drills and concepts in the rest of this section. Some of the plays found here are not consistent with player responsibilities on the larger 80' or 90' diamonds. The game on the smaller diamond is slower and the players are not as strong. These facts combined with the shorter distance between the players and the bases makes this game quite different than the one played on the large diamond. These realities can make it a challenge for coaches who themselves played the game on the larger diamond. There is a necessity to throw out much of one's playing experiences on the large diamond and adjust how the game is viewed and taught on the smaller diamond. Rules for Defensive Movement These simple rules get each player on the field moving and contributing on every play. These rules lay the foundation for coordinating team play in any situation. Mistakes will still be made, given the age of the players. By teaching, drilling and reviewing these rules throughout the season, games will have significantly less chaos and unnecessary mistakes ...and the games will go faster! The drills in this section, relating to movement responsibilities include specific teaching points and teaching phrases that support and build off these basic rules. A coach does not need to know these rules on Day 1 of practice and the players will not master these rules on Day 1. Through repetition in drills and feedback given during our daily scrimmage in the last part of practice the coaches, players and parent helpers at practices will steadily gain a level of mastery of these rules. “Baseball is a Game of Movement" All nine players MOVE the moment the ball is put into play. Each player moves at full speed (even if they are only required to move as little as 10-15 feet) to get to their required spot on the field, which is determined by the Rules of Defensive Movement and the simple rules laid out in Defense - Positional Responsibilities. Often, as the play evolves and the ball moves around the field, some players will have to MOVE and reposition themselves. Moving the Ball on Defense - options There are two ways to transport the ball around the field: 1. Throw the ball 2. Carry the ball. Most kids only consider the first option. We want to teach our players early on that they are not required to throw the ball in order to move it around the field. It is perfectly acceptable to carry the ball. Primary examples: The base runners have stopped trying to advance on the base paths. An outfielder runs the ball to an infielder, then the infielder carries the ball to the pitcher. Note: as the ball is being transported to the pitcher the player with the ball keeps an eye on the base runner(s). An infielder fields the ball and sees they can run to the base before the base runner can get there. Three Individual Responsibilities 1. Ball 2. Base 3. Back up (a base/throw) NOTE: Regardless of level of play or the situation, each player on defense has one of three responsibilities. It is not uncommon for a player's responsibility to change from one to another of these three possibilities over the course of a play. Infielders: 1. Chase/field the Ball 2. If you aren’t fielding the ball, cover a Base ("Ball or Base") 3. If the base is covered, run beyond the base to Back-up a throw to the base. Pitcher (balls hit in the infield): 1. Field the Ball 2. If not fielding the ball, cover a Base 3. If the base is covered, run beyond the base to Back-up a throw to the base Pitcher (balls hit in the outfield): 1. “Move Towards the Ball” 2. Back-up throws to a base or to an infielder 3. ‘Play’ the Ball, as the Cut-Relay Player, on throws to home plate Outfielders: 1. Chase/field the Ball when hit to the outfield - 'Move towards the ball' 2. Move towards, and Back-up, balls hit to the two infielders in front of the outfield position 3. Back-up throws to a base. Catcher: 1. If you aren't playing the Ball, cover your Base (Home Plate). Proper positioning is one foot in front of home plate. 2. Always stay alert to Back-up throws coming towards your area of the field Three Team Objectives 1. Stop the ball 2. Stop the runners 3. “Get ball to the middle of the infield” Move Towards the Ball The first action, by each of the nine players on the field, when ball is put into play, is to make an aggressive step towards the ball. We must develop a mindset, in each player prior to every pitch, of ‘I am getting the ball’. For most it will quickly be obvious that they aren't playing the ball, so they move to their next responsibility: cover a base or back up a base/throw. The three players in the middle of the field: pitcher, shortstop, second baseman - “Always Move Towards the Ball". (This will be covered in detail later in this section.) There are three situations (also covered in greater detail later in this section) where the shortstop and second baseman’s response to this rule is modified slightly: When the ball is hit to the catcher, pitcher or center fielder: 1. Catcher or Pitcher: shortstop covers second base; the second baseman backs up second base 2. Center fielder: shortstop goes into the outfield “towards the ball”; the second baseman covers the base. NOTE: in the instance of a ball being hit to the catcher or pitcher, the shortstop and second baseman are still moving ‘towards’ the ball which has been hit in the space between the two positions. The same is true, in most instances, when the ball is hit to the center fielder. Whenever the ball is hit to one of these three players (catcher, pitcher, center fielder) the shortstop is the player in position to potentially handle the ball. Usually the shortstop is a better player than the second baseman and we want the more talented player handling the ball as much as possible. There will be the odd instances when the roles of the two players will be reversed. It would be difficult to go into too much detail here, but over time, and through experience playing and coaching the game, those exceptions to the rule will come up. One example is a ball hit to the pitcher where the shortstop, thinking they may end up fielding the ball and moving aggressively to do so, is unable to cover second base. In this case the second baseman then takes over the responsibility of covering second base. (The center fielder is still there to back-up the throw to second base.) There is no rule to determine when the second baseman takes over this responsibility. Over time, players will learn to recognize this situation. However this, and similar situations, lead to mistakes at all levels of play. The Ball is Constantly Moving on Defense As soon as a player has control of the ball they must immediately move the ball. They have two options 1. THROW the ball (to a cut-relay player or to the base ahead of a runner) 2. RUN* with the ball To a cut-relay player or to the base ahead of a runner Toward the middle of the infield (pitching rubber) If in doubt of what to do with the ball --> RUN with the ball towards the pitching rubber. Each step closer the ball gets to the pitching rubber the more of a threat the ball becomes to the base runner(s). *Many young players do not recognize they have the option of carrying the ball to its destination. They believe that the ball is only moved by making a throw. It is important to point this out to our players very early in the year. Getting The Ball In To The Pitcher Pitcher move towards the player with the ball and shorten the distance they have to travel Note: Ignore all baiting by base runners (even if you really think you can get the runner out). Mini Diamond - Super Tool One of the most valuable tools a coach can use is the Mini Diamond.