★[Defense] Defensive Movements and Covering (Runners on 1st and 3rd, Ground Ball to Infield)

This covers the responses and covering movements when a batted ball is hit to the 'near-standard position' of each defensive position.

<<Basic Concept>>
● The numbers for each position and their basic defensive positions are shown in the figure below.
1 Pitcher 2 Catcher
3 First Baseman 4 Second Baseman
5 Third Baseman 6 Shortstop
7 Left Fielder 8 Center Fielder
9 Right Fielder

● All fielders must move in response to a batted ball.
There is no position that does nothing.
(Covering the batted ball, covering the throw, covering the base)
● Do not perform covering for balls that are clearly foul. However,
always perform covering for balls that are on the edge of being fair or foul.

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We clarify the basic diagrams so that all players understand how to move for covering in each case, and we repeatedly simulate this in practice (to the point where they can move unconsciously during a game).
If even one of the nine players moves differently here, it will lead to an open position (base) or a lack of coordination, so 'a state where everyone understands and can move according to the basic diagram' is a major point for the team.

However, it is okay to move differently (based on split-second judgment) depending on the situation in a game.

* With 2 outs, you only need to get the batter-runner out, so the movement is the same as when there are no runners.

This assumes the situation with 0 or 1 out.

The pre-pitch positioning when there are runners on 1st and 3rd is...

* By Case

* Basic judgment is,
Slow grounder, 3rd base runner starts
-> Throw to home (force out)
0 outs and 3rd base runner has not started
-> Check the 3rd base runner with your eyes, then double play at 2nd
1 out and 3rd base runner has not started
-> Double play at 2nd (timing where a double play can be reliably made)
This is the approach, but here we will cover the method for a double play at 2nd base.

Therefore, the infield defensive position is at medium depth (not playing in).

🥎 Pitcher's grounder (1->6->3)

◉ Movements for each position

<<Priority>>
(1) Covering for fielding the grounder
(2) Covering for the throw to 2nd base
(3) Covering for the throw to 1st base

● Fielding a ground ball and throwing to 2nd base ... 1
After fielding, first check the runner on 3rd and keep them in check with your eyes
(If the runner on 3rd is off the base, chase them down and trap them)
Make the throw to match the timing of 6 (4) arriving at the base
Throw to the base or slightly toward the 1st base side so that 6 (4)
can smoothly throw to 1st base
Throwing to the 3rd base side makes the 6 (4) catch-to-throw movement difficult
● Touching 2nd base and catching the throw ... 6
Keep the base, the throw from 1, and the runner on 1st in sight, but do not panic,
and take a catching stance that can handle an errant throw
Aim for a double play, but if the throw to 1st will not be in time, do not make a wasted throw
● Covering for a wild throw when throwing to 2nd ... 4, 8
If the batted ball is toward the 3rd base side, 4 may cover 2nd base
* It is good to decide in advance how to cover 2nd base
(Example) 4 covers for a right-handed batter, 6 for a left-handed batter
4 covers for a ball to the 3rd base side, 6 for a ball to the 1st base side
However, basically 6 covers 2nd base
(6 can throw more easily due to the flow of movement)
● Touching 1st base and catching the throw ... 3
Take a catching stance that can handle an errant throw
(Prioritize catching, then touch the base)
● Covering for a wild throw when throwing to 1st ... 9
Since there is no one else to cover, this is an important covering play
● Covering 3rd base ... 5
Prepare for a throw if the runner on 3rd is off the base
● Covering for a wild throw when throwing to 3rd ... 7
● Covering home plate ... 2
Keep home plate covered (do not cover the throw to 1st base)
Check the overall movement and give necessary instructions

🥎 1st base grounder (3→6→3, 3→6→1, 3, 3→6)

◉ Movement of each position

≪Priority≫
① Covering for fielding a ground ball
② Covering for a throw to 2nd base
③ Covering for a throw to 1st base

● Fielding a ground ball, throwing to 2nd base, and stepping on 1st base ... 3
For a grounder between 1st and 2nd, throw to 2nd without hesitation
(No need to check the runner on 3rd with your eyes)
For a grounder close to 1st base, step on the base first before throwing to 2nd
(When aiming for a double play, should you step on 1st base before throwing?
Or throw to 2nd first? Making the right judgment is the key
Do not hesitate; the priority is to get the runner on 1st out)
Unless you can return to 1st base immediately,
leave covering 1st base to 1
● Covering for an error when fielding a 1st base grounder ... 4, 9
4 covers 1st base after confirming the catch, 9 covers with full effort
● Covering 2nd base, catching the throw, and touching 2nd base ... 6
Cover 2nd base, receive the throw from 3, and throw to 1st (double play)
If 3 steps on 1st base before throwing, it becomes a tag play
● Covering for a wild throw when throwing to 2nd ... 7, 8
● Covering 1st base ... 1, 4
Head to 1st base as soon as the ball is hit toward the 1st base side
Since 3 leaves 1st base to handle the ball,
1 covers 1st base and receives the throw from 6
After stepping on the base, run through toward the fair ground side
to avoid colliding with the batter-runner
If 4 can make it in time to cover 1st base, 4 covers it
● Covering for a wild throw when throwing to 1st ... 9
Since there is no one else to cover, this is an important covering play
● Covering 3rd base ... 5
Prepare for a throw if the runner on 3rd is off the base
● Covering home plate ... 2
Keep home plate covered (do not cover the throw to 1st base)
Check the overall movement and give necessary instructions

🥎 2nd base grounder (4→6→3)

◉ Movement of each position

≪Priority≫
① Covering for fielding a ground ball
② Covering for a throw to 2nd base
③ Covering for a throw to 1st base

● Field the ground ball and throw to 2nd base ... 4
If in a defensive formation aiming for a double play, there is no need to check the runner on 3rd after fielding.
(If it is a very slow grounder, consider throwing to home plate.)
Throw the ball to match the timing of 6 entering the base.
To ensure 6 can smoothly throw to 1st base after fielding,
judge whether to toss or throw, and aim for the base.
If the grounder is between 1st and 2nd and your posture is poor, do not force it and throw to 1st base.
※ When tagging the runner on 1st after fielding the grounder
If the runner on 1st is right in front of you after fielding, a tag out is possible.
After the tag, throw to 1st base.
Be careful not to let the ball pop out of the glove due to the impact of the tag.
(The runner on 1st is running at full speed.)
If the runner on 1st runs in reverse when you attempt to tag them,
immediately switch to throwing to 2nd base.
● Covering for errors when fielding a grounder to 2nd base ... 8
After confirming the catch, move to cover 2nd base.
● Touch 2nd base and catch the throw ... 6
Keep the base, the throw from 4, and the runner on 1st in sight, but do not panic,
and take a catching stance that allows you to handle even an off-target throw.
● Covering for wild throws when throwing to 2nd base ... 7 (・8)
● Touch 1st base and catch the throw ... 3
If you cannot return to 1st base after chasing the ball, leave it to 1.
Take a catching stance that allows you to handle even an off-target throw.
(Prioritize catching, then touch the base.)
● Covering for wild throws when throwing to 1st base ... 1・9
1 heads toward 1st base as soon as the ball is hit toward the 1st base side.
If 3 moves toward the ball and leaves 1st base,
1 covers 1st base and receives the throw from 6.
Since there is no other rear cover, this is an important covering role.
● Covering 3rd base ... 5
Prepare for a throw in case the runner on 3rd takes a lead.
● Covering home plate ... 2
Keep home plate covered (do not cover the throw to 1st base).
Check the overall movement and give necessary instructions.

🥎 Shortstop grounder (6→4→3 6・6→3)

◉ Movement of each position

≪Priority≫
① Covering for ground ball fielding
② Covering for throws to 2nd base
③ Covering for throws to 1st base

● Field the ground ball and throw to 2nd base ... 6
Throw the ball to match the timing of 4 entering the base.
To ensure 4 can smoothly throw to 1st base after fielding,
judge whether to toss or throw, and aim for the base.
If the fielding spot is near the base, you may stop 4 and step on the base yourself.
● Covering for errors when fielding a grounder to shortstop ... 7
● Touch 2nd base and catch the throw ... 4
Take a catching stance that allows you to handle even an off-target throw, however,
since the direction to 2nd base and the direction of the throw to 1st base are opposite,
be careful of bad throws when throwing to 1st base.
● Covering for wild throws when throwing to 2nd base ... 8
● Touch 1st base and catch the throw ... 3
Take a catching stance that allows you to handle even an off-target throw.
(Prioritize catching, then touch the base.)
● Covering for wild throws when throwing to 1st base ... 1・9
1 goes to home plate if a rundown occurs between 3rd and home.
Since there is no other rear cover, this is an important covering role.
● Covering 3rd base ... 5
In the case of a grounder between 3rd and short, move toward the ball, then return to 3rd base,
and prepare for a throw in case the runner on 3rd takes a lead.
● Covering home plate ... 2
Keep home plate covered (do not cover the throw to 1st base).
Check the overall movement and give necessary instructions.

🥎 Third base grounder (5→4→3)

◉ Movement of each position

≪Priority≫
① Covering for ground ball fielding
② Covering for throws to 2nd base
③ Covering for throws to 1st base

● Field the ground ball and throw to 2nd base ... 5
If it is a very slow grounder, consider throwing to home plate as well
(Since the runner on 3rd is visible, it is easier to decide where to throw)
Throw in time for 4 to reach the base
Throw to the base so that 4, who caught the ball, can smoothly throw to 1st base

● Covering for errors when fielding a grounder to 3rd base ... 6, 7
6 moves to cover 3rd base after confirming the ball is fielded
● Touch 2nd base and catch the throw ... 4 Take a catching stance that can handle even if the throw goes wide, however
since the direction to 2nd base and the direction of the throw to 1st base are opposite,
be careful of a bad throw when throwing to 1st base

● Covering for wild throws when throwing to 2nd base ... 8
Always get on the extension line of the throw If the cover position is poor, there is a possibility that the runner will score at home

● Touch 1st base and catch the throw ... 3 Take a catching stance that can handle even if the throw goes wide
(Prioritize catching, then touch the base)

● Covering for wild throws when throwing to 1st base ... 1, 9
1 goes to home plate if there is a rundown between 3rd and home 9 is an important cover since there is no other rear cover

● Covering 3rd base ... 6
Prepare for a throw if the runner on 3rd base takes a lead
● Covering home plate ... 2
Do not leave home plate open (do not cover the throw to 1st base) Check the overall movement and give necessary instructions

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