★[Defense] Defensive Movements and Covering (Runners on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Base - Ground Ball to the Infield)

This covers the response and covering 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 diagram 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

● Every fielder 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.

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

Here, we are considering the situation with 0 outs or 1 out.

The pre-pitch positioning when runners are on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd base is...

* By Case

🥎 Pitcher Grounder (1→2, 1→2→3)

◉ Movements of each position

<<Priority>>
① Covering for ground ball fielding
② Covering for throw to 1st base
③ Covering for throw to 3rd base

● Field the ground ball and throw to home plate ... 1
Throw to the base or slightly toward the first-base side so that the catcher (2) can smoothly throw to first base.
If thrown toward the third-base side, it becomes difficult for the catcher (2) to field and throw, due to potential collisions with the third-base runner.


● Covering for errors when fielding a ground ball to the pitcher ... 4, 6 (and 8) 4 moves behind the pitcher to provide cover.
6 moves to cover second base.
However, if the ball is hit directly toward 6, they switch roles.

● Touch home plate, catch the throw, then throw to first base ... 2 Adopt a fielding stance that allows you to handle even an errant throw.
(Prioritize catching, then touch the base.)

● Touch first base and catch the throw ... 3 Adopt a fielding stance that allows you to handle even an errant throw.
(Prioritize catching, then touch the base.)
If you judge that you cannot make the play at first, signal not to throw to 2.

● Covering for wild throws when throwing to first base ... 9
Move into position to cover based on the angle of the throw.● Covering third base ... 5

● Covering for wild throws when throwing to third base ... 7
Prepare in case a throw to third base occurs.
● Covering second base ... 6
● Covering for wild throws when throwing to second base ... 8
Prepare in case a throw to second base occurs.

🥎 Ground ball to first (3→2→3)

◉ Movement of each position

<<Priority>>
1. Covering for ground ball fielding
2. Covering for throws to first base
3. Covering for throws to third base

● Field the ground ball and throw to home plate ... 3
Throw to the base so that the catcher (2) can smoothly throw to first base.
However, if the ball is fielded right next to the base,
step on first base first, then throw to home plate (home plate tag play).
● Covering for errors when fielding a ground ball to first ... 4, 1, 9
4 covers first base after confirming the catch, 9 covers the throw to first after confirming the catch.
● Touch home plate, catch the throw, then throw to first base ... 2
Adopt a fielding stance that allows you to handle even an errant throw.
(Prioritize catching, then touch the base.)
However, if 3 steps on first base before throwing to home, it is a tag play.
● Touch first base and catch the throw ... 3, 4
If 3 is slow to return to first base,
4 enters first base to catch the ball.
Also, if the ball is hit between first and second and neither 3 nor 4 can cover first base,
1 covers first base.
Adopt a fielding stance that allows you to handle even an errant throw.
(Prioritize catching, then touch the base.)
If you judge that you cannot make the play at first, signal not to throw to 2.
● Covering for wild throws when throwing to first base ... 9
Move into position to cover based on the angle of the throw.
● Covering third base ... 5
● Covering for wild throws when throwing to third base ... 7
Prepare in case a throw to third base occurs.
● Covering second base ... 6
● Covering for wild throws when throwing to second base ... 8
Prepare in case a throw to second base occurs.

🥎 Ground ball to second (4→2→3)

◉ Movement of each position

<<Priority>>
1. Covering for ground ball fielding
2. Covering for throws to first base
3. Covering for throws to third base

● Field the ground ball and throw to home plate ... 4
Throw to the base or slightly toward the 1st base side so that 2, who caught it, can smoothly throw to 1st base.
If thrown to the 3rd base side, it becomes difficult for 2 to catch and throw, as it may result in a collision with the 3rd base runner.
(If possible) Move to cover 1st base after the throw.

● Covering for errors when fielding a grounder to 2nd base ... 9 (・8)
Move to cover 1st base after confirming 4 has fielded the ball.
● Touch home plate, catch the throw, then throw to 1st base ... 2
Take a catching stance that can handle even an off-target throw. (Prioritize catching, then touch the base)

● Touch 1st base and catch the throw ... 3
Take a catching stance that can handle even an off-target throw. (Prioritize catching, then touch the base)
If you judge that there is not enough time for 1st base, signal 2 not to throw.

● Covering for wild throws when throwing to 1st base ... 9・1 (・4)

9 moves to cover according to the angle of the throw. 1 moves to cover 1st base if 3 has moved too far away from the 1st base bag.
● Covering 3rd base ... 5
● Covering for wild throws when throwing to 3rd base ... 7
Prepare in case a throw to 3rd base occurs.
● Covering 2nd base ... 6
● Covering for wild throws when throwing to 2nd base ... 8
Prepare in case a throw to 2nd base occurs.

🥎 Grounder to shortstop (6→2→3)

◉ Movement of each position

≪Priority≫
① Covering for fielding ground balls
② Covering for throws to 1st base
③ Covering for throws to 3rd base

● Field the ground ball and throw to home plate ... 6
Throw to the base or slightly toward the 1st base side so that 2, who caught it, can smoothly throw to 1st base.
If thrown to the 3rd base side, it becomes difficult for 2 to catch and throw, as it may result in a collision with the 3rd base runner.

● Covering for errors when fielding a grounder to shortstop ... 7・8
Once 6 has fielded the ball, 7 moves to cover the throw to 3rd base. Once 6 has fielded the ball, 8 moves to cover the throw to 2nd base.

● Touch home plate, catch the throw, then throw to 1st base ... 2
Take a catching stance that can handle even an off-target throw. (Prioritize catching, then touch the base)

● Covering for wild throws when throwing to home plate ... 1
● Touch 1st base and catch the throw ... 3
Take a catching stance that can handle even an off-target throw. (Prioritize catching, then touch the base)
If you judge that there is not enough time for 1st base, signal 2 not to throw.

● Covering for wild throws when throwing to 1st base ... 9

Move to cover according to the angle of the throw.● Covering 3rd base ... 5
● Covering for wild throws when throwing to 3rd base ... 7
Prepare in case a throw to 3rd base occurs.
● Covering 2nd base ... 4
● Covering for wild throws when throwing to 2nd base ... 8
Prepare in case a throw to 2nd base occurs.

🥎 Grounder to 3rd base (5→2→3)

◉ Movement of each position

≪Priority≫
① Covering for fielding ground balls
② Covering for throws to 1st base
③ Covering for throws to 3rd base

● Field the ground ball and throw to home plate ... 5
Throw to the base so that the catcher (2) can smoothly throw to 1st base.
However, if the ball is fielded right next to the base,
Step on 3rd base, then throw to home plate (force play at home).
● Covering for errors when fielding a grounder to 3rd base ... 6, 7
Once 5 fields the ball, 6 moves to cover 3rd base.
Once 5 fields the ball, 7 moves to cover the throw to 3rd base.
● Touch home plate, catch the throw, then throw to 1st base ... 2
Get into a catching position that can handle an errant throw.
(Prioritize catching, then touch the base.)
However, if 5 steps on 3rd base before throwing to home, it is a tag play.
● Covering for wild throws when throwing to home plate ... 1
● Touch 1st base and catch the throw ... 3
Get into a catching position that can handle an errant throw.
(Prioritize catching, then touch the base.)
If it is judged that the out at 1st base will not be in time, signal not to throw to 2.
● Covering for wild throws when throwing to 1st base ... 9
Move into position to cover based on the angle of the throw.
● Cover 3rd base ... 6
● Covering for wild throws when throwing to 3rd base ... 7
Prepare in case a throw to 3rd base occurs.
● Cover 2nd base ... 4
● Covering for wild throws when throwing to 2nd base ... 8
Prepare in case a throw to 2nd base occurs.

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