DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS!



FOUR THINGS EVERY PLAYER ON DEFENSE MUST KNOW:

·  Always know how many outs there are

·  Always know the count on the batter

·  Always know where the base runners are

·  Always know where and when to throw the ball

PLAYING FIRST BASE
Here are some basic stategies to play well at FIRST BASE 

• Always expect a bad throw and prepare yourself for it.
• Get to the base immediately when the ball is hit to a position other than first.  Your first responsibility is to make the play off the bat.
• Left-hander will place the left foot on the base, and the right-hander will place the right foot on the base.
• Do not stretch until after the throw is made.
• On a dropped third strike, place the right foot on the base and stretch into foul territory with the left foot to take the throw from the catcher.  It is permissable to use the orange side of the base for this play.
• When stretching for the throw, land on your heel. If you land on your toes or the ball of the foot you will have a tendency to pull off the base too early. Always keep your head behind the ball so you can see it and make the play.  Never take your eye off the ball!  Especially if it is thrown into the dirt!
• When the ball is thrown high , jump straight up into the air to make the catch. Do not let your body drift backwards into the baseline.  This will cause a collision with the runner and result in an injury and possibly an interfernce call from the umpire.
• The pre-pitch position of the first-baseman will depend on the game situation, the count, the hitter, the score, etc. The coach will make adjustments. In all cases the first-baseman must be able to get to the base ahead of the runner.
• The short-hop is the toughest play to make. You must bend at the knees and not the waist. The upper body and head must be kept upright and behind the stretch leg. If the ball is not caught, it must be at least blocked or knocked down. When back-handing a short-hop again keep the bend at the knees and not the waist, and keep the upper body and head upright so you can see the ball all the way and at the very least knock it down.  KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE BALL!
• If you must come off the base to catch the ball, do so. Do not "anchor" yourself to the base.
• Do not field bunts straight on. Right-handers will be turned facing the foul line, and left-handers will be turned facing the pitcher. The foot work for making the throw should always occur prior to fielding the ball in bunt situations. Always use two hands to make a tag so the ball will not be knocked out.
• Make all plays to your right that you can get to. Do not expect the second-baseman to get to there.
• Always return to first-base after every pitch (not hit) as quickly as possible when there is a runner at first-base. A pick-off cannot be made unless you are in position. When a pick-off is called with a pitchout and the second-baseman taking the throw, get down and out of the way.
• When fielding a bunt with a runner on third base, hold the runner at third prior to making the tag on the runner or throwing to first-base unless the game situation or coaches instructions dictate to forget the runner and get the out.
• On all fly balls in the infield: Communicate! Communicate! Communicate!
• Always look for the "play after the play" and the next out after all plays are made at first base. You must know the game situation at all times and know where the next play is prior to the ball being pitched.

PLAYING SECOND BASE
Here are some basic stategies to play well at SECOND BASE

• Make the play on all balls to your left that you can get to. Do not expect the first-baseman to make the play. Most importantly, communicate with the first baseman.
• You must be at first base to take the throw on a hit to the first baseman or a bunt and then be ready to make the "play after the play".
• The pop fly behind first base will often be your responsibility. Communicate with the first-baseman.
• Short fly balls in the right centerfield area are your responsibility until and unless the outfielder or shortstop calls you off.
• You will often be the cut-off on balls hit to the outfield. On a short outfield hit, be prepared for a play at second if there is a runner at first.  Always have both arms up for the cut-off and turn sideways to take the throw. Do not have your back to the infield. If the throw goes through, fake the cut to attempt to hold the runner(s) on base.
• Every ground ball with a runner on first is not an automatic double-play. The game situation, the runners speed , and the speed of the hit ball will all be factors. In every case attempt to get the lead runner first.
• When starting a double-play, the distance to the base, the speed of the hit, the speed of the runner, and the direction you are traveling will determine what kind of throw or pivot you will need to make. The throw should always hit the shortstop in the middle of the chest. With a ball hit right at you a no-step pivot on the balls of both feet with the hips and shoulders turning 90 degrees is usually best. With a ball hit to your right, an underhand throw with a stiff wrist will usually be best. Use the pivot on a ball hit to your left.
• When executing a double-play get to the bag as quickly as possible making certain your footwork is right prior to taking the throw. After taking the throw, be certain that you push off the base far enough to be out of the way of the runner trying to take you out of the play or run through the base, being certain to tag it with your foot.
• Always remember the importance of communication with the other infielders. All infielders must know what each other is going to do at all times and work together.  Imagine you and the shortstop are tethered to one another - should the shortstop have to make a play to her right, you must also move right to cover.

PLAYING THIRD BASE
Here are some basic stategies to play well at THIRD BASE

1. React quickly on hard hit balls down the line.
2. Charge quickly on slow rollers and bunts.
3. Make strong and quick throws all away across the field.

The third baseman will play approximately half way between third base and home plate. Third base is a reaction position and the person at that position must have some of the quickest reactions on the team. Third baseman must take into consideration:

1. The game situation.
2. The speed of the batter.
3. The power of the batter.
4. Where the base runners are.
5. The type of hitter the batter is i.e. bunter, slapper.
6. Right of left handed hitter and the pitch location and type of pitch.

• On balls hit right at the third baseman the third baseman must make the catch or at minimum, knock the ball down and then make the throw across the field for the out. With a runner at first a decision must be made whether to go for the lead runner or to take the out at first base. With a runner at second base or third base the runner must be held at their base prior to making the throw to first.
• On balls hit to the third baseman's left, the third baseman must stay low as they move to the ball and properly set their feet after making the catch and preparing to make the throw. The third baseman should field everything to their left that they can get to. In most cases, on balls hit to the third baseman's left with a runner on first, a double-play will be in order or at the very least an attempt made on the lead runner.
• On balls hit to the third baseman's right, the ball must be knocked down or fielded with a backhand play. When fielding with a backhand play, the third baseman must be certain to set their feet properly prior to making the throw to first. With runners on first and second base, this type of hit will allow for a relatively easy play unassisted on the lead runner at third base. With the bases loaded, this play should allow for the force out at home plate.

On infield pop flys to the left side of the infield, communication must be made with the pitcher and the shortstop. Normally the third baseman will call the pitcher and catcher off and take all pop flys they can get to in that area of the field.  The shortstop will call you off if they have the catch.On short fly balls in left field third baseman should make an effort to make the play until unless the left fielder or the shortstop calls them off.

                                   


PLAYING SHORTSTOP
Here are some basic stategies to play well at SHORTSTOP

The shortstop will probably be one of the best athletes on the field and will play a role in double plays and most cutoffs. The shortstop must always know what each infielder or outfielder will do with the ball prior to the pitch being made and must be in position to complete most plays.

• With a runner on first, the shortstop will cover 2nd base on a steal, unless a special situation exists at the coaches direction.
• On balls hit to the right, the shortstop must execute the proper footwork to insure the throw is made.
• When starting a double-play, the shortstop must learn to execute a drop knee pivot, a standing pivot, a running side arm throw, or an underhanded shovel depending on the speed and location of the hit and the distance from second base.
• The shortstop will run the infield most of the time and must be in constant communication with the players on the field, especially the third baseman, the second baseman, and the pitcher.
• In double play situations, the shortstop must make certain of obtaining at least one out. The speed of the hit ball and the speed of the runners are factors. In all cases at least get the lead runner.
• When taking the throw at second base as a part of a double-play, step across the base with your left foot and drag the right foot across the back corner of the base, jump turn to land on the right leg and complete the throw to first base.
• On short fly balls to left field, left centerfield and center field the shortstop will attempt to make the play unless and until the outfielder calls them off.
• On base hits from the centerfield to the left field line, the shortstop will be the cutoff. Get into position as quickly as possible. If not cutting the ball, carry out a good fake to hold the hitter at first if possible. Make sure you get turned to receive the ball in a throwing position. Do not have your back to the infield.
• Always know the game situation, where the runners are, the runners speed prior to the pitch so that the proper throw is made to the proper base.
• On bunts, make sure you know the situation as to whether to cover second or third base.  Runners on base will dictate the situation.

PLAYING OUTFIELD
Here are some basic stategies to play well at OUTFIELD

The outfielders must be territorial in that they must make a personal commitment to get to any ball hit into their area. An outfielder must have speed, a good throwing arm and the ability to react quickly and decisively to the ball. The center fielder should be the fastest or quickest of the outfielders as the have the most ground to cover. The center fielder is in charge of the outfield.

• Get the feet moving with a slight creep in order to get the best jump on the ball.
• Always know the game situation i.e. the number of outs, where the base runners are, the runners speed, the score.
• The outfielder must know where they are going with the ball for each type of hit they may have to deal with. Where to throw on a routine fly ball, where to throw on a hard hit ground ball, where to throw on a slow hit ground ball that they have to charge, where to throw on a ball hit into the gap that they must chase.

Fly Ball Mechanics:

• When the ball is hit in the air, always anticipate going back. It is much easier to take a step back and then come forward than to start forward and then have to go back.  Your first step on a fly ball will always be back.
• Attempt to catch all fly balls with two hands.
• Attempt to catch all fly balls moving forward. Try to judge each fly ball so you start three to four steps behind it and then move forward to make the catch so that the body momentum will assist in the throw.
• Get into the habit of making every throw back to the infield utilizing a crow-hop to maximize throwing distance and throwing power. Throw off your front foot to assist in maximizing your throw.
• Know that a right handed hitter pulling the ball will hook towards the left field line and a ball hit to right field will slice towards the line. A left-handed hitter pulling the ball will hook towards the right field line and a ball hit to left field will slice towards the line.
• On balls hit over your head, sprint to the ball, do not drift. After beginning the sprint, turn your head, locate the ball, get to the landing area and run under it. Do not raise the glove until you are ready to make the catch. Do not chase the glove.
• The center fielder always has priority and all outfielders have priority over the infielders when fielding the ball. All fly balls must be called for - LOUDLY and CLEARLY. Call and call again.
• Diving for a highly hit ball is usually safe as the ball will not roll too far. Diving for line drives is more risky as those not caught will skip deep into the outfield. Diving for balls in the gap is usually a good gamble as there is another outfielder backing up the play. Do not dive for balls hit down the line.

Ground Ball Mechanics:

• On ground balls with no base runners, drop the knee to the ground to insure the ball is stopped and extra bases cannot be taken.
• On ground balls with base runners, field as an infielder and come up ready to throw ahead of the lead runner.
• On balls hit to the left or right, circle the ball if possible to get a better angle and be in a better throwing position.
• Always get in front of the ball, stay low, and move the feet to get into the proper throwing position for maximum strength and distance.
  
  Throwing:
  
  An outfielder must throw with their feet and legs. Always use the crow-hop to throw from the outfield. Never miss the cutoff person. Throw the ball directly at their head keeping the ball on a low straight line. Generally think: one base ahead of the lead runner on a fly ball and two bases ahead of the lead runner on ground balls unless the game situation dictates something different.
  
  General:
• Always back up every hit whether the ball stays in the infield or is hit to an outfielder.  Move on every play.
• Back up thrown balls in the infield.
• Know and communicate with other outfielders constantly and make sure you are always backing each other up.
• Take all short fly balls that you can get to. Call the infielders off.
• On balls hit near the fence, get to the fence first, find it, and then catch the ball.
• Right and center fielders should always be ready to throw out a runner at first or second base on a force.  Left and center fielders should always be ready to throw out a runner at second or third base on a force.