Pop-ups & Priority Booklet

Pop-ups & Priority

Pop-up Over the Middle Infield

Bases empty 1 out Priority: SS/2B over P/C

A high pop-up over the middle of the infield. Priority rules decide who takes it — the shortstop or second baseman calls off the pitcher and catcher, loud and early.

Ball Bag Backup

P

Pitcher Backup

Get out of the way and point to the ball; never fight an infielder for a pop-up.
C

Catcher Backup

Stay ready in case it drifts back toward the plate, but defer to the infielders.
1B

First Base Bag

Drift toward the ball but yield to the second baseman, then get back to cover first.
2B

Second Base Backup

Echo the call; if the shortstop calls it, peel off and back him up.
3B

Third Base Bag

Drift in but yield to the shortstop, then get back to third.
SS

Shortstop Ball

Call it loud and early — middle infielders have priority over the pitcher and catcher. Settle under it.
LF

Left Field Backup

Back up the play in case it's misjudged.
CF

Center Field Backup

Charge in hard — an outfielder can take charge if he gets there in time.
RF

Right Field Backup

Back up the play from the right side.

Key point

Priority on pop-ups: outfielders over infielders, middle infielders over corners, everyone over the pitcher and catcher. Call it loud, call it early.

Drill

Pop-up communication drill: throw high pops between players; the one with priority calls it three times and everyone else echoes and clears.

Watch for

Two players converging in silence — that's how collisions and dropped 'easy' outs happen.

Pop-ups & Priority

Foul Pop Near First Base

Bases empty 0 out Priority: 1B vs C vs P — call it

A foul pop-up near the first-base dugout. The first baseman, catcher, and pitcher must sort out who has the angle — the corner infielder usually has the best one.

Ball Bag Backup

P

Pitcher Backup

Point to the ball and clear out; you never catch this one.
C

Catcher Backup

Rip the mask off, locate it, and defer to the first baseman if he calls it — then back him up.
1B

First Base Ball

Turn your back to the infield, find it over your shoulder, and call it — you usually have the best angle.
2B

Second Base Bag

Cover first base while the first baseman drifts into foul ground.
3B

Third Base Bag

Cover third base — stay home.
SS

Shortstop Bag

Cover second base.
LF

Left Field Backup

Trail toward the infield to back up.
CF

Center Field Backup

Drift in to back up.
RF

Right Field Backup

Sprint in behind first base to back up the catch.

Key point

On foul pops the corner infielder usually has a better angle than the catcher — but only if someone CALLS it. Silence drops it.

Drill

Foul-pop reps near both dugouts; first baseman and catcher practice the verbal hand-off and a clean catch with the back to the field.

Watch for

The catcher and first baseman both arriving and pulling up — decide early and let one player own it.

Pop-ups & Priority

Bloop Between Second, First, and Right

Bases empty 2 out Priority: RF over 2B over 1B

A shallow bloop into no-man's land in short right. The right fielder charging in has priority and the easier play — he calls off the infielders.

Ball Bag Backup

P

Pitcher Backup

Back up a base depending on where the play develops.
C

Catcher Bag

Guard the plate and watch for anything that gets away.
1B

First Base Backup

Drift out but yield to the right fielder, then get back to cover first.
2B

Second Base Backup

Drift back on it but yield to the right fielder and back him up.
3B

Third Base Bag

Cover third base.
SS

Shortstop Bag

Cover second base.
LF

Left Field Backup

Sprint across to back up the right-center area.
CF

Center Field Backup

Sprint over to back up the right fielder.
RF

Right Field Ball

Charge hard and call it — a charging outfielder has priority and the easier catch coming in.

Key point

On bloops the player moving IN to the ball (the outfielder) has priority over the infielder backpedaling — the easier catch wins.

Drill

Tweener drill: hit short flies between the second baseman and right fielder; the outfielder calls it coming in and the infielder peels off.

Watch for

An infielder drifting back and an outfielder charging, both silent — the classic Texas-leaguer collision.

Pop-ups & Priority

Pop-up Straight Back at the Plate

Bases empty 1 out Catcher's ball — mask off, find it, squeeze

A pop-up straight up over home plate. It's the catcher's ball — toss the mask the opposite way, find it over the shoulder, and make a soft catch.

Ball Bag Backup

P

Pitcher Backup

Help locate it and call directions, but let the catcher make the play.
C

Catcher Ball

Rip the mask off and throw it clear, find the ball, turn your back to the infield, and squeeze it.
1B

First Base Bag

Drift toward the plate as insurance but yield to the catcher, then cover first.
2B

Second Base Bag

Cover first base behind the play.
3B

Third Base Bag

Drift toward the plate as insurance but yield, then cover third.
SS

Shortstop Bag

Cover second base.
LF

Left Field Backup

Drift in to back up.
CF

Center Field Backup

Drift in to back up.
RF

Right Field Backup

Drift in to back up.

Key point

On a pop straight back, the catcher throws the mask AWAY from where the ball will land, finds it over his shoulder, and catches it soft.

Drill

Catcher pop-up reps: mask toss, locate, and catch with the back to the infield — the spin makes these drift toward the backstop.

Watch for

Catching it stiff-handed or tripping over the tossed mask — clear the mask early and give with the hands.