Steals & Coverage Booklet

Steals & Coverage

Steal of Second — Right-Handed Batter

Runner on 1st 1 out RHB → 2B covers; C → 2B

A straight steal of second with a right-handed batter at the plate. Righties pull to the left side, so the shortstop stays to field it and the SECOND BASEMAN covers the bag.

Ball Bag Backup

P

Pitcher Backup

Get off the mound toward second to back up the throw.
C

Catcher Ball

Receive, rise, and fire a strike to second base for the tag.
1B

First Base Bag

Trail the play and cover first base.
2B

Second Base Bag

With a right-handed batter, YOU cover second — straddle the bag and apply the tag.
3B

Third Base Bag

Cover third base in case of an overthrow.
SS

Shortstop Backup

Stay to your side to field the likely pull, then back up the throw at second.
LF

Left Field Backup

Back up second base from the left.
CF

Center Field Backup

Charge in to back up second base.
RF

Right Field Backup

Back up second base from the right.

Key point

Who covers second is a pre-pitch decision: with a right-handed hitter the second baseman covers, because the shortstop stays to field the likely pull side.

Drill

SS/2B coverage signs: flash the open/closed-mouth sign behind the glove, then rep who covers versus RHH and LHH until it's silent and automatic.

Watch for

Both middle infielders breaking to the bag with nobody fielding — the sign must be given and confirmed every pitch.

Steals & Coverage

Steal of Second — Left-Handed Batter

Runner on 1st 1 out LHB → SS covers; C → SS

A straight steal with a left-handed batter up. Lefties pull to the right side, so the second baseman stays to field it and the SHORTSTOP covers the bag.

Ball Bag Backup

P

Pitcher Backup

Get off the mound toward second to back up the throw.
C

Catcher Ball

Receive, rise, and fire a strike to second base.
1B

First Base Bag

Cover first base.
2B

Second Base Backup

Stay to your side to field the likely pull, then back up the throw.
3B

Third Base Bag

Cover third base in case of an overthrow.
SS

Shortstop Bag

With a left-handed batter, YOU cover second — straddle the bag and apply the tag.
LF

Left Field Backup

Back up second base from the left.
CF

Center Field Backup

Charge in to back up second base.
RF

Right Field Backup

Back up second base from the right.

Key point

With a left-handed hitter the shortstop covers second — the second baseman stays to field the likely pull side. It's the mirror image of the righty rule.

Drill

Coverage-sign reps versus a lefty in the box; the shortstop and second baseman confirm the sign before every pitch.

Watch for

Defaulting to the same coverage regardless of the batter — the hitter's side dictates who stays and who covers.

Steals & Coverage

Steal of Third Base

Runner on 2nd 1 out C → 3B, tag at third

A runner steals third. The catcher must step to clear the right-handed batter and fire a strike to the third baseman covering the bag.

Ball Bag Backup

P

Pitcher Backup

Break toward third to back up the throw.
C

Catcher Ball

Step toward third to clear the hitter and fire a low strike to the bag.
1B

First Base Bag

Cover first base.
2B

Second Base Bag

Cover second base behind the runner.
3B

Third Base Bag

Cover third, give a target, and apply the tag.
SS

Shortstop Backup

Rotate toward the middle to back up the play.
LF

Left Field Backup

Sprint in to back up third base.
CF

Center Field Backup

Drift in to back up.
RF

Right Field Backup

Drift in to back up the infield.

Key point

Stealing third is about the catcher's footwork — he steps to clear the batter and throws a strike, low to the bag for a quick tag.

Drill

Catcher third-base throws with a hitter in the box; emphasize the jab step to clear and a low, firm throw.

Watch for

Throwing through the batter's box without clearing — a deflected or high throw lets the runner in standing up.

Steals & Coverage

Strike 'Em Out, Throw 'Em Out

Runner on 1st 1 out K + C → 2B = double play

The batter swings through strike three while the runner is stealing. The catcher catches it clean and fires to second for a strikeout–caught-stealing double play.

Ball Bag Backup

P

Pitcher Backup

Break to back up the throw at second.
C

Catcher Ball

Catch strike three clean, rise, and throw a strike to second for the second out.
1B

First Base Bag

Cover first base.
2B

Second Base Bag

Cover second base and apply the tag.
3B

Third Base Bag

Cover third base.
SS

Shortstop Backup

Back up the throw at second.
LF

Left Field Backup

Back up second base.
CF

Center Field Backup

Charge in to back up.
RF

Right Field Backup

Back up second from the right.

Key point

On a swinging third strike with a runner going, the strikeout is out one — the catcher's clean transfer and throw turns it into two.

Drill

Receive-and-throw reps on strike three: catch it clean, quick feet, accurate throw to the covering infielder.

Watch for

The catcher relaxing on strike three — the runner is already moving, so transfer and throw without celebrating.

Steals & Coverage

Delayed Steal of Second

Runner on 1st 0 out Read it late — MIF reacts and covers

The runner breaks late, as the catcher lazily tosses the ball back to the pitcher. The middle infielders must recognize it and scramble to cover second.

Ball Bag Backup

P

Pitcher Backup

Be alert for the throw, get out of the lane, and back up second base.
C

Catcher Ball

Don't lob it back lazily — read the runner and be ready to throw down to second.
1B

First Base Bag

Cover first base and alert the middle infielders — 'he's going!'
2B

Second Base Bag

React instantly and cover second base for the tag.
3B

Third Base Bag

Cover third base.
SS

Shortstop Backup

Back up the late throw at second.
LF

Left Field Backup

Back up second base.
CF

Center Field Backup

Charge in to back up.
RF

Right Field Backup

Back up second from the right.

Key point

The delayed steal beats a sleepy defense — the middle infielders and catcher must stay alert AFTER the pitch, not relax.

Drill

Run delayed steals in live situations without warning; reward the infielders who recognize it early and cover.

Watch for

Everyone relaxing once the pitch is caught — the delayed steal preys on exactly that lapse.