First & Third: Defensive Options

excerpt from the book Softball Skills & Drills-2nd Edition
by Judi Garman, Michelle Gromacki

Defensive Options
The goal of the defense is to keep runners from advancing and to get at least one out on the play. Primary attention must always be paid to the runner at third. Teammates must yell "Home" the instant the runner at third breaks. The defense gives up on the runner in the rundown to make sure that the runner at third does not score. If the runner on third gets too far off, the defender with the ball runs directly at her to get her to commit to a direction. Once one play has been made, fielders must be alert to a possible play on the other runner. These options can be used for walks and steals too.

Runner Caught in a Rundown  If the throw goes to second and the runner is caught in a rundown, the defense uses the regular rundown techniques to chase the runner back to first. The primary concern is still the runner at third, so players listen closely for their teammates to yell "Home" should the runner break. When that occurs, they direct all attention to the third-base runner. If the runner is hung out to dry between home and third, the player with the ball runs directly at her to make her commit to one direction. When in doubt, the defender should throw ahead of the runner to chase her back to third. On rundowns between first and second, the team should give up the rundown if the lead runner is threatening to score. In any rundown between first and second, the defense should tag out the runner quickly, being careful not to become tangled up in making the tag or be left in a poor position for a throw home.

Throw to the Pitcher  The defense runs this play after the batter has been walked. The catcher looks to third to see if the runner can be picked off. If there is no sure play, the catcher returns the ball quickly to the pitcher in the circle. With the ball in the circle, the runner at third must return to the base. She cannot leave again (unless another play is made), so the defense can now ignore her. The pitcher watches the batter–base runner approach first base. If she continues to second, the pitcher moves to the back of the circle to be closer to second base, being careful not to make any motion that releases the runner at third. When the runner is 10 to 15 feet (3 to 4.5 m) from second, the pitcher throws to the shortstop covering the base for the tag. The pitcher must throw early enough to allow for the runner's sudden acceleration into the base. The shortstop can help the pitcher's timing by calling "Now." The first-base player and third-base player remain at their bases in case a rundown follows. The pitcher then steps slightly off line to clear the throwing path home if the runner at third goes.

Throw to the Second-Base Player in Pickoff (Short) Position  This is a play option to use when the batter has walked with a runner on third. An advantage of throwing to a short second base is that the throw home is shorter and has more chance of getting the runner. The second-base player is in position for a quick tag that may surprise the runner, and her position on the basepath may even discourage some runners from trying to advance to second.

The second-base player takes a position on the basepath about 15 to 20 feet (3 to 6 m) from first base (see figure 9.15). If the runner is going fairly fast, the second-base player will stay closer to second. The catcher has the option of throwing to the second- base player as the runner rounds first. The second- base player can apply the tag to the runner or hold the runner at the base if the throw arrives early. If the runner at third breaks for home, the defense must shout "Home," and the second-base player must forget the runner at first and go after the lead runner. The goal is always to get the lead runner. The throw goes to the catcher if the runner on third breaks for the plate. If the runner stops, the second-base player chases her back to third by running at her and then making the play at third. The shortstop must immediately cover second in case the runner gets past the second-base player or in case there is a rundown.

Throw to the First-Base Player Near the Bag  When the batter has walked, a throw from the catcher to the first-base player may keep the runner from continuing on to second. Many runners will then simply give up on trying to advance. The first-base player is close to the bag and on the baseline between first and second base. The shortstop covers second in case the runner gets by first.

Throw to the Shortstop at Second Base  On this play, the catcher, after checking the lead runner, holds the ball to see if the batter continues to second. If the runner is advancing, the catcher throws to the shortstop covering second. The defense should use this play only if both players have strong, accurate arms and a slow runner is at third. The catcher does not throw down until the runner approaches second base. If the throw is too early, the runner will have time to stop and set up a rundown. This play is used most often with two outs.

Throw to the Second-Base Player in the Cutoff Position  This difficult play requires many accurate throws. The defense must know what they are capable of. The second-base player takes a position in a direct line from home to second and about 15 to 20 feet (3 to 6 m) behind the pitcher's rubber (see figure 9.15). The player's body is sideways with the chest toward third base, which is the best position from which to make a throw home. The target is given to the catcher with the glove shoulder high. The catcher throws to the shortstop covering second base. The throw should be through the second-base player at a height where she can catch the ball easily. If the runner at third breaks for home, the second-base player cuts the ball and throws home. She must not watch the runner while making the catch. The second-base player focuses on catching the ball and relies on teammates to call for the cut by yelling "Home" or "Going." If the lead runner does not break on the throw, the second-base player fakes a catch and allows the ball to go directly through to the shortstop covering second to get the runner coming from first. A fake catch may stop the runner at third from going.

Response to a Straight Steal  If the runner on first executes a straight steal, the catcher's first look is always to third to see if the runner can be picked off. If there is not a play at third, then the catcher throws to the shortstop at second base or to the second-base player in the short or cutoff position, depending on the team's strategy. The catcher may also choose not to make a play and may return the ball sharply to the pitcher.

The catcher has several options:

1. Pick off the runner at third.
2. Fake a throw to second and then attempt a pickoff at third, hoping to catch the lead runner leaning or breaking for home.
3. Throw to second base. The second-base player in the cutoff position cuts the throw if the base runner at third goes home. If the runner does not break for home, the throw goes through to the shortstop for a tag or a possible rundown back to first.
4. Throw to the second-base player in the basepath. The catcher keeps her body aligned as if she were throwing to second base but instead throws to the second- base player in the short position (as described earlier) to set up a shorter return throw to home if the runner at third goes.

Other Considerations  The defense must also be prepared for the possibility that the offense may bunt, slap, or run fake plays with runners at the corners. Scouting the opposition in order to know their tendencies will help, but the key is to be prepared for anything. Using a pitchout may help the defense set up the offense. If the offense chooses to play it safe and not steal, the defense should look for tactics such as fake breaks that the offense may use in hopes of drawing throws and creating errors.

COACHING POINTS FOR FIRST-AND-THIRD PLAY

1. 1. Coaches must know the capability of their defense.

1. 1. When considering a play, the coach should weigh the risks involved against the importance of the run at third and the value of keeping the other runner at first.

1. 1. Because young players find it difficult to decide quickly how to respond, the coach can call the play to be used before the pitch (with a runner already on first) or after the pitcher throws ball three (in case of a walk).

1. 1. If the first-base player holds the ball at first base, this may discourage the runner from taking off for second after a walk or putout. Sometimes the umpire will call time if all players are standing still, even though that is not the intent of the rules. The alert base runner may be planning to take off on the first-base player's throw back to the pitcher.

1. If the offense attempts or fakes a bunt, the defense should not throw to second base because there is no backup there. The center fielder will have to cover the base (the middle infielders have moved to the corners to play the bunt), and there is no one behind her.
2. Returning the ball quickly to the pitcher is the easiest defense because the runner at third must return immediately to the bag. The defense can ignore her and concentrate on the other base runner.

Sometimes the defense may be wise not to make a play, such as in any of the following instances: (a) when there are two outs, (b) when the batter is not a big threat, (c) when the pitcher is in control, or (d) when runs are not that important. The defensive team may choose to make the opponent win with the bat rather than let them create their offense with baserunning and possible defensive errors. If the defense chooses not to make the play, they can try to bluff the runners into staying put. The catcher can fake a throw, or the team can use verbal cues to indicate that they are going for the runner. The coach may call "Get the runner if she goes" while signaling that the team will make no throw. Players can also talk and bluff the runner and opposing coaches. Teams that vary both offensive and defensive strategies create an element of surprise that will often lead to success.