Softball NSW Playbook Assume less than 2 out, scores are close/even What is the play? What fielders go where? Situation 1. No s on hit to infield 2. No s on ground ball 3. No s on hit past 4. Runner at one hit to infield 5. Runner at one ground ball 6. Runner at one hit past 7. Runner at two hit ground ball to infield Actions Team and Individual Player Infield to play 1 st RF and catcher to back up 1 st in case of overthrow RF to play 1 st, catcher to back up throw CF to play 2, keep at 1, pitcher to back up throw LF to play 2, keep at 1, RF to back up throw Relay set up to 3 rd base, SS/2 nd to be relay Pitcher to back up 3 rd (or home) Play 2 nd for lead, taken by SS or 2 nd depend which side of diamond is the hit OF to back up possible overthrow from infield and keep at 2 nd Hard ground ball play to 2 nd Opposite to back up 2 nd takes throw from LF with SS backing up, SS from CF or RF, with 2 nd backing up More than likely will score! So relay set up to 3 rd base, SS/2 nd to be relay Pitcher to back up 3 rd (or home) Hold at 2, play 1 with catcher and RF to back up Next play is at 3 rd expect to go Pitcher & LF should run to back up 3 rd. CF to back up a throw from 1 st to 2 nd.
8. Runner at two ground ball Play is HOME, through cut-off, RF and CF going through 1 st base as cut, LF throwing to 3 rd (as cut). Catcher should be CUTTING the play to keep the at 3 rd, or if they go, relay ball to home Pitcher to run to back up home DON T forget the batter, keep her at the lowest possible base too 9. Runner at two ground ball 10. Runner at two hit past 11. Runner at three ground ball to infield 12. Runner at three ground ball 13. Runners at one and two fly ball to infield On the catch going to 3, LF and CF on the full, or through SS as cut, RF going to 3 through SS as cut PITCHER must be backing up 3. 1 st base can also back up home This will score get the batter at 3 (or even keep them at 2 relay set up to 3 rd base, SS/2 nd to be relay Pitcher to back up 3 rd (or Home) Fielders in close, Runner must be held at 3, make sure she commits back to 3 rd before playing 1 RF to back up 1, pitcher to go round to back up home in case goes on throw 1 st base to be ready to play home On a fumble or a slow roller where batter nearly at 1, fake to 1 to try to trick 3rs base, don t forget the batter and keep her at 1 st if possible Runner has scored, RF to play 1 st, catcher to back up throw CF to play 2, keep at 1, pitcher to back up throw LF to play 2, keep at 1, RF to back up throw INFIELD FLY, BATTER AUTOMATICALLY OUT regardless of ball being caught. Runners don t have to go, but must tag on the catch. Should be no play after catch. If dropped, check s tag play at 3 14. Runners at one and two ground ball to infield Force 3, play at 3 (by 3 rd or SS), with LF back up. Try for double at one on balls hit to P, C, SS, 3 not 1 st or 2 nd but watch for at 2 nd going to 3 rd. try to keep her at 2. RF to back up throw to 1 st 15. Runners at one and two ground ball Same as #8 Be aware of 2 trial s looking for extra bases
16. Runners at two and three ground ball hit to infield 17. Runners at two and three ground ball hit 18. Runners at two and three fly ball hit 19. Runners at two and three hit past the 20. Runner at three squeeze play 21. Loaded bases ground ball to infield 22. Loaded bases ground ball 23. Loaded bases fly ball to Same as #11 Same as # 8 Play home, through cut off, RF and CF going through 1 st base as cut, LF throwing to 3 rd as cut. Catcher should be CUTTING the play to keep the at 3rs, or if they go, relay ball home Pitcher to run to back up home Don t forget the batter; keep her at the lowest possible base too. Runner at 3 to score on catch, same as play #9 On the catch going to 3, LF and CF on the full, or through SS as cut, RF going to 3 through SS as cut Going to home on shallow fly Pitcher must be backing up home Same as # 10. These s will score get the batter at 3 (or even keep them at 2) Relay set up to 3 rd base, SS/2 nd to be relay Pitcher to back up 3 rd (or home) Automatic play at home by all infield for a tag play by catcher BLOCKING the plate Don t forget the batter! Catcher to come up throwing to 2 CF may have to cover 2, so RF to back up throw from catcher Play home for the force, double play up at 1 with RF backing up. 1 st base must come up ready to throw back to home for a tag play, pitcher to back up home Same as # 8 at 3 should score. Play is home, through cut-off, RF and CF going through 1 st bas as cut, LF throwing to 3 rd as cut. Catcher should be cutting the play to keep the at 3 rd, or if they go, relay ball home Pitcher to run to back up home Don t forget the batter, keep her at the lowest possible base too THIS IS A HARD ONE depends on where it goes and if catch is running in or running our. Most likely at 3 to score on catch, same play as # 9 BUT 1 st base and 3 rd must be lined up as a cut to 4. Pitcher backing up at home On a deep catch going to 3, LF and CF on the full, or through SS as cut, RF going to 3 through SS as cut. Pitcher must be backing up 3. 1 st base can also back up home
24. Loaded bases hit past the 25. Tie breaker Top of the innings 26. Tie breaker bottom of the innings (no score) 27. Tie breaker bottom of the innings (we scored one) Same as # 10. These s will score get the batter at 3 (or even keep them at 2) Relay set up to 3 rd base, SS/2 nd to be relay Pitcher to back up 3 rd (or home) Most likely opposition will bunt WE MUST GET AN OUT Hard bunt fielded quickly play 3, all other plays going to 1. LF to back up 3, RF to back up 1 Play to 3 if safe, also look to keep batter at 1, if out, play 2 if goes with CF backing up If play is at 1 1 st base must come up ready to throw home, but only throw if is going home. i.e., don t throw to 3, keep her there! Same as # 25 but we are likely to do intentional walk to make force play to 3 Same as # 25. Tying run on 2, must get outs and keep her at 3. Play at one is more likely. Batter is the go ahead run, so better to get her out! 28. Tie breaker bottom of the innings (we scored 2 or more) 29. 1-3 splits even/down (i.e. can t score) 30. 1-3 splits up by one 31. 1-3 splits up by 3 or more They need to score 3 to win, so get outs, don t chase s, and keep others at lowest possible base ALWAYS watch for offence to squeeze bunt Options back pitcher who throws to 3 Pitcher ducks to tempt at 3 Play to 3 rd Cut play by 2, forget the at 1 all eyes at 3 ALWAYS watch for offence to squeeze bunt. Likely to be a cut play, still important, and at 1 st is their goahead run. If at 3 goes nowhere, try to keep at 1 also (or get her out) Always keep an eye on at 3 and if she goes, she is important Unlikely to squeeze bunt but be ready for bat on ball all options available likely to be all the way, but we must get the out get at 1 in a trap play, and forget the going home! 32. 1-3 splits at 3 goes home on throw to 2nd Depends on score will be # 29, 30 or 31.