Bunt Defenses How we call the play: Two digit number second one is the defense. Ex. 54 means defense 4; 41 means defense 1 Bunt Defense 1 (standard bunt defense) - 1B & 3B (Corners) charge in. Normally start 5 to 7 steps in from base depending upon how quick you are. 2B covers first, SS covers second base, and whoever doesn't field the ball between 3B, C, & P covers third base. Bunt Defense 2 (lefty slap hitter) 3B & P charge in. We are defending against a lefty slap hitter so 3B 7 steps in & closer to line & 1B off line a bit. 1B goes back to cover first, 2B covers second base (on steal as well), & SS covers third base. SS should be even with base path shaded toward third base. 2B should be shaded toward second base and two steps behind bath base. Bunt Defense 3 (fake bunt defense) - P & 1B charge in (3B plays normal depth (3 steps in)). With a runner on second base & TWO OUTS, many teams try to steal a run by stealing third on a fake bunt. The batter fakes a bunt to draw the 3B in and hope that the SS doesn t cover in time and the catcher s throw goes to the outfield allowing the run to score. We will have our 3B go back to at third, P cover third base line & 1B charge, 2B covers first. SS back up 3B (feet should be on outfield grass) Bunt Defense 4 (Bunt defense against possible squeeze bunt with runner at third) We are going to fake throw to see if we can catch the runner at third. Same as bunt defense one, except SS covers third base so that the fake throw may catch the runner at third. Advanced Version against safety squeeze: Throw Short to First Basemen Throw Long to Second Basemen Page 1 of 10
1st & 3rd Plays on Defense How we call the play: Three digit number & middle number is the play. Ex. If we say 432, it s play 3, if we say 523, it's play 2. You must remember that everyone does the exact same thing on all the plays so the other team can t tell the difference. We can do this because we are throwing a pitchout. A pitchout is a pitch that is unhittable by the batter but very catchable by our catcher. Normally we throw our pitch out in the opposite batter s box chest high to the catcher. We can also throw it low and outside so the opposing team does not see the pitchout happening as easily. 1 st Basemen & 3 rd Basemen are in five steps. As soon as pitcher throws the ball, they retreat to their bases. SS covers second. 2B cuts in front of second base between the base & pitcher's mound. P ducks down for throw to second. Play 1 - catcher throw to 3B trying catch runner leading off third. Play 2 - catcher throws to 2B cutting in front. If the runner on third breaks home, throw home; if runner goes back to third, throw to third. If runner is standing still run at her and force rundown towards 3B. Play 3 - catcher throws directly to SS at second to get runner stealing. The 2B cuts in front to pretend to get throw to hold runner at third. THIS IS THE ONLY PLAY WHERE WE AR LOOKING TO GET THE RUNNER AT SECOND BASE!!!! Play 4 - catcher throws directly to P who tries to catch girls off third. If the runner on third breaks home throw home; if she goes back to third, throw to third. If she's standing still run at her and force rundown towards 3B. Play 5 No pitchout but if the runner steals, throw SS & try them out! Page 2 of 10
1st & 3rd Offense Our goal: We would like to steal second base without getting out so that we can have TWO runners in scoring position. Play 1 runner on first straight steal to second; runner on third stays close to base Play 2 - Runner on first jogs towards second base and if throw goes to second, stop and return to first base; runner on third stays close to base. Runner on first must run fast enough to get to second but slow enough that you can stop and return to first base safely. Play 3 - Runner on first tries to get in rundown, if no one covers second, just take the base; runner on third gets a bit further off so they can go home if they throw to second. Don t get too far off the base; should be close enough to dive back Page 3 of 10
Cutoffs Cutoff Math You need to know these things: v Who & Where is the Lead Runner o Lead Runner is the closest baserunner to home plate v Count to FOUR (4) then back to beginning!!!! v Batter start at Base Zero (0) v In the Air to OF (catchable) 1 BASE AHEAD v On the Ground to OF 2 BASES AHEAD v Over OF Head 3 BASES AHEAD Ex. Runner on first base (1) ball hit in the air (1) means 1+1=2 (Second Base) Ex Runner on second base (2) ball hit in the air (1) means 2+1=3 (Third Base) Ex. Runner on third base (3) ball hit in the air (1) means 3+1= 4 (Home) Ex. Runner on first base (1) ball hit on the ground (2) means 1+2=3 (Third Base) Ex. Runner on second base (2) ball hit on the ground (2) means 2+2=4 (Home) Ex. Runner on third base (3) ball hit on the ground (2) means 3+2=5???????? We don t count past four (4) so back to the batter (0)!!! Batter (0) ball hit on ground (2) means 0+2=2 (Second Base) Ex. Runner on first base (1) ball over OF head (3) means 1+3=4 (Home) Ex. Runner on second base (2) ball over OF head (3) means 2+3=5???????? We don t count past four (4) so back to the batter (0) Batter (0) ball hit over OF head (3) means 0+3=3 (Third Base) Ex. Runner on third base (3) ball over OF head (3) means 3+3=6???????? We don t count past four (4) so back to the batter (0) Batter (0) ball hit over OF head (3) means 0+3=3 (Third Base) Page 4 of 10
Single to Outfield (in front of Outfielder) (2) No Runner Ball to Second Base Single to LF - SS go out for cutoff (in case ball gets by OF) & 2B covers second base Single to CF SS go for cutoff (in case ball gets by OF) Single to RF 2B goes out for cutoff (in case ball gets by OF) & SS covers second base Ball over Outfielder (3) No Runner Ball to Third Base LF - SS go out for cutoff & 2B peels behind (after seeing ball caught by cutoff) covers second base CF SS go for cutoff & 2B peels behind (after seeing ball caught by cutoff) covers second base RF - 2B go for cutoff & SS peels behind (after seeing ball caught by cutoff) covers second base 1B to middle of diamond (in case relay throw comes home) P backs up third base Single to Outfield (in front of Outfielder) (2) Runner on First Base - Ball to Third Base Single to LF - SS go out for cutoff (in case ball gets by OF) & 2B covers second base Single to CF SS go for cutoff (in case ball gets by OF) Single to RF 2B goes out for cutoff (in case ball gets by OF) & SS covers second base Ball over Outfielder (3) Runner on First Base - Ball to Home LF - SS go out for cutoff & 2B peels behind (after seeing ball caught by cutoff) covers second base CF SS go for cutoff & 2B peels behind (after seeing ball caught by cutoff) covers second base RF - 2B go for cutoff & SS peels behind (after seeing ball caught by cutoff) covers second base Page 5 of 10
1B to middle of diamond (lines up throw coming home from SS or 2B) P goes behind home plate Single to Outfield (in front of fielder) (2) Runner on Second Base Ball to Home Single to LF 3B cutoff to Home & SS goes out to OF (in case ball gets by OF) Once fielded by OF v SS covers third base v 2B covers second base v THIS IS THE ONLY TIME THE 3B IS THE CUTOFF Single to CF SS go for cutoff (in case ball gets by OF) Once fielded by OF 1B middle of the diamond (lines up throw coming home from OF) 3B Covers third base SS Covers second base 2B Covers first P backs up home Single to RF 2B goes out for cutoff (in case ball gets by OF) & SS covers second base Once fielded by OF 1B middle of the diamond (lines up throw coming home from OF) 3B Covers third base SS Covers second base 2B Covers first P backs up home Ball over Outfielder (3) Runner on Second Ball to Third Base LF - SS go out for cutoff & 2B peels behind (after seeing ball caught by cutoff) covers second base CF SS go for cutoff & 2B peels behind (after seeing ball caught by cutoff) covers second base RF - 2B go for cutoff & SS peels behind (after seeing ball caught by cutoff) covers second base Page 6 of 10
1B to middle of diamond (in case relay throw comes home) P backs up third base Fly Ball to Outfield (Catchable) (1) Runner on Third Base Ball to Home Fly ball LF - SS goes out for cutoff (in case ball gets by OF) & 2B covers second base Fly ball to CF SS goes for cutoff (in case ball gets by OF) Fly ball to RF 2B goes out for cutoff (in case ball gets by OF) & SS covers second base Single to Outfield (in front of fielder) (2) Runner on Third Base Ball to Second Base Single to LF - SS go out for cutoff (in case ball gets by OF) & 2B covers second base Single to CF SS go for cutoff (in case ball gets by OF) Single to RF 2B goes out for cutoff (in case ball gets by OF) & SS covers second base Ball over Outfielder (3) No Runner Ball to Third Base LF - SS go out for cutoff & 2B peels behind (after seeing ball caught by cutoff) covers second base CF SS go for cutoff & 2B peels behind (after seeing ball caught by cutoff) covers second base RF - 2B go for cutoff & SS peels behind (after seeing ball caught by cutoff) covers second base 1B to middle of diamond (in case relay throw comes home) P backs up third base Page 7 of 10
Test Time!!!! Situation: Runners on First & Third Fly Ball to LF? Ground Ball to CF? Ball Over RF? Page 8 of 10
Situation: Runners on First, Second, & Third (Bases Loaded) Fly Ball to RF? Ground Ball to LF? Ball Over CF? Page 9 of 10
Situation: Runners on Second & Third Fly Ball to CF? Ground Ball to RF? Ball Over LF? Page 10 of 10