Single to Left Field with no one on base

2^nd BASE AND SHORTSTOP

Item #

Situation

Required Play or Action

Refer to Chart 2B/SS throughout this Section

1	Double Plays	Turning the double play at 2nd base then to 1st base is critical to the success of the team. These plays must be completed quickly with strong accurate throws, hustle and quick ball releases. Success will depend upon the skills and relationship between the shortstop and 2nd baseman. · 2^nd baseman footwork: When a runner is on 1st base and the ball is hit to the left side of the field (SS side) then the 2nd baseman covers 2nd base. You need to time your approach to 2nd base so that you are catching the ball from SS or 3B just as your feet are approaching the bag. You need to have your LEFT FOOT touch the base quickly (centerfield end of the base) then plant your right foot and throw at the 1st baseman’s chest. You do not stand on 2nd base and wait for the throw because you don’t want to be in the baserunner’s way and get injured. The runner will be sliding into 2nd (or you) and they want to break it up so that you can’t throw to 1st. You have to make sure that you DO throw to 1st. Also, you can’t quickly throw to 1st base when you are standing on the 2nd base bag. The quick transfer of the ball from your glove to your throwing hand is very important. The throw to first must also be fast and accurate AFTER you have planted your feet. · Shortstop footwork: When a runner is on 1st base and the ball is hit to the right side of the infield (2B side) the shortstop covers 2nd base. The shortstop also needs to time her approach so that she is catching the ball from 2B just as her feet are approaching the bag. She needs to have her RIGHT FOOT touch the base quickly (centerfield end of the base), twist her body so the left leg points to 1^st not RF, quickly plant her feet and throw at the 1st baseman’s chest. She does not stand on 2nd base but rather passes over just touching it. The quick transfer of the ball from the glove hand to the throwing hand is just as important for the shortstop as it is for the 2nd baseman.
2	Relay Positions	2^nd baseman: The 2nd baseman goes out to meet, catches and throws in all relays from right field & balls hit to the 2^nd baseman side of center field. Relays are generally needed only when a ball has been hit very deep into the outfield OR an error has occurred that caused the ball to be missed by the outfielder. You need to receive the throw so that you can make a glove-side turn and fire the ball into the infield. The relay person needs to quickly throw in order to get the lead runner. Get the ball in fast--DO NOT HOLD IT. Shortstop: The shortstop goes out to meet, catches and throws in all relays from left field & balls hit to the SS side of center field. Relays are generally needed only when a ball has been hit very deep into the outfield OR an error has occurred that caused the ball to be missed by the outfielder. You need to receive that throw so that you can make a glove-side turn and fire the ball into the infield. The relay person needs to quickly throw in order to get the lead runner. Get the ball in fast--DO NOT HOLD IT. Listen to your teammates for direction: Both the SS and the 2nd baseman need to listen for direction from your teammates since your back is mostly turned on the infield in order to catch the throw from the deep outfield.
3	Short Throws	Sometimes the ball has been hit closer to 2nd base (that is, to the left side of the shortstop OR to the right side of the 2nd baseman). In those situations you can’t afford to throw too hard because you are too close to 2nd base. You can either make a good underhand throw or get down on one knee and throw overhand. Underhand: Make sure that your throw is on a straight-line path to your fielder. DO NOT throw a high arc, loopy ball because the runner will be safe. Take your time to make sure that it is a firm throw and accurate to the fielder’s chest. Overhand on one knee: Make sure that you get down on the same knee as your throwing arm (the opposite leg is bent pointing to the target just like a normal throw). This provides the proper body balance so you won’t fall over. The overhand throw is an easy throw that is controlled by the wrist and elbow--no big windup is necessary. Most of the throw is due to the movement of the elbow. This throw also needs to be firm on a straight-line path: no arcs or loopy throws.
4	Calling for infield pop-ups	Calling loudly: Move quickly to where you believe the ball will land. Do not slowly drift towards it. Call out-loud for the ball, “I’ve got it” or “Mine, Mine, Mine”. Repeat this loudly and often but LISTEN for the voices of your other infielders. If someone else is calling more loudly for it and you can sense that you are moving too far away from your position LET THEM HAVE IT. But tell them they have it--yell that out too! Communicate! When called off by other player: After you have given way to someone else to catch the fly ball make sure that you move out of the way so that you don’t accidentally collide with them. Generally speaking, the player who is moving forward should catch the fly ball instead of someone moving backwards. For example, a pop-up behind the pitcher’s mound should be taken by the shortstop as much as possible. This is because the pitcher would have to move backwards so she is not a good candidate. The 2nd baseman could make the play but she will not be in as good a position to throw to 1st base if need be, such as a double play attempt if someone is already on 1st base. The shortstop, however, is moving forward and has a clear view and throwing angle towards 1st base. Listen for the umpire’s call of the Infield Fly Rule. If this is called then the batter is automatically out whether you catch the ball or not. You need to be alert since runners can advance to another base at their own risk. This is discussed more in the Baserunning section of your playbook.
5	Pop-ups slightly behind you in the short outfield	Drop step: Check out the path of the pop-up to see if it’s to your right side or left side. Turn that foot sideways, which is opposite to the direction of the ball, and run towards where the ball is expected to land. Glance backwards at the ball while you are running. For example, if a short fly ball is hit to your right side, turn your left foot sideways and begin running behind and to the right where the ball is. DO NOT turn your body backward but only glance backward with your head and “watch it” into your glove. DO NOT walk backwards to try to catch it. You will have little speed and virtually no balance and will probably fall down trying. Calling loudly: Just as above, the player who is moving forward should catch the fly ball instead of someone moving backwards. Therefore, a left fielder should take charge instead of the shortstop for a pop-up in the shallow outfield (but only if she can get there in time).
6	Covering 2^nd base for a steal attempt	[Coach variation here] The Shortstop should always cover 2nd base on a steal attempt from 1st. The shortstop needs to break towards 2nd base whenever the rules state that the runner can first leave the base (either when the ball crosses home plate OR when it leaves the pitcher’s hand). Depending on the situation, the 3rd baseman should cover some of the shortstop’s territory and the pitcher should lean a bit towards the 3rd base side after delivering the pitch. This is necessary because the shortstop is leaving his natural fielding position in order to cover 2^nd base. The movement of the 3rd baseman & pitcher serve to fill in the gaps for the shortstop. The shortstop needs to stand slightly in front of 2nd base (the pitcher’s side of the base) and be ready to apply the tag by quickly popping or sweeping her glove to the ground so that the runner slides right into the ball. Keep a firm grip. This is a tag play not a force-out so you must apply the tag to get the out. The shortstop needs “to play the base not the ball”. This means that even though the throw may bounce once before reaching 2nd base, the shortstop should cover the bag and let the ball come to her. If she moves in to get the ball where it first bounces then she has no chance at all to tag the runner because she is out of position.
7	Playing deep or short	Three things govern where the shortstop and 2nd baseman should play: Runners’ positions - If the bases are loaded and there are fewer than 2 outs then the infield needs to play in towards the batter to help make a play-at-the-plate. If there is not a force-out situation then the fielders can afford to play deeper. Score of game/inning - If the game is close or tied then every run is critical. These situations also call for playing in towards the batter. Power of the batter - If a strong skill or power batter is up you may need to play back in order to have a chance to field the ball. The opposite is true for weak batters.
8	2^nd Baseman Only	Covering 1^st base: The 2nd baseman is the primary fielder to cover 1st base when the 1st baseman is out of position. This can routinely happen when: Þ The 1st baseman is charging a bunt attempt. He or the catcher may field the ball and look to you to cover 1st base. Þ Both the pitcher and the 1st baseman go after a grounder hit just off the pitcher’s mound area. Again, the 1st baseman is out of position. Þ If an overthrow occurs at 1st then the 1st baseman will chase it. The 2nd baseman needs to cover 1st base (shortstop is covering 2nd) in case of a rundown possibility.
10	Shortstop Only	· YOU ARE THE GENERAL OF THE INFIELD. · It is your job to keep the infield & outfield informed of how many outs there are after each play. · You need to reinforce to the infield WHERE THE PLAY IS after EACH play. · You determine (call) who catches a pop-up directly between the pitcher’s mound and 2^nd base. · You should attempt to back-up grounders to the 3^rd baseman when no one is on base. · Study Item #10 in the 1B/3B section . It is extremely important that in this double play situation you (covering 2^nd base) TAG the runner out since the 1^st baseman has already stepped on 1^st base to get the force-out.