Third Base

Your job on every play — go to the Ball, cover a Bag, or Backup a base.

Ball Bag Backup

No Runners

Bag

Single to Left, Batter Hustles for Two · Bases empty · 0 out

Cover third base in case the runner reads the throw and keeps going.

Bag

Single Up the Middle, Batter Rounds First · Bases empty · 0 out

Cover third base in case the runner keeps going.

Bag

Routine Grounder to Short · Bases empty · 1 out

Stay home at third and protect the line.

Bag

Down the Right-Field Line, Batter for Three · Bases empty · 0 out

Straddle third base and apply the tag on the relay.

Bag

Gap to Left-Center, Batter for Two · Bases empty · 1 out

Cover third base in case the runner keeps coming.

Runners On

Bag

Runner on 2nd, Single to Right — Throw Home · Runner on 2nd · 1 out

Cover third base in case the batter-runner advances on the throw home.

Bag

Runner on 1st, Single to Right — Throw to Third · Runner on 1st · 1 out

Straddle third, take the throw, and apply the tag.

Bag

Runner on 3rd, Fly to Right — Tag and Throw Home · Runner on 3rd · 1 out

Cover third base in case of a fake or a trailing runner.

Ball

Runners on 1st & 2nd, Single to Left — Throw Home · Runners on 1st & 2nd · 1 out

Line up as the cutoff on the left-field-to-home line; cut or relay the throw.

Bag

Runner on 3rd, Ground Ball — Check and Throw · Runner on 3rd · 1 out

Hold the runner close and cover third base.

Bunts

Ball

Sacrifice Bunt, Runner on 1st · Runner on 1st · 0 out

Crash toward the plate to field anything bunted down the third-base line.

Ball

Sacrifice Bunt, Runner on 2nd · Runner on 2nd · 0 out

Crash for a bunt down the third-base line.

Ball

Squeeze Bunt, Runner on 3rd · Runner on 3rd · 1 out

Crash from third on the line, glove-side to the plate.

Ball

Drag Bunt for a Hit, No Runners · Bases empty · 0 out

Crash in case the bunt goes the other way.

Ball

Sacrifice Bunt, Runners on 1st & 2nd · Runners on 1st & 2nd · 0 out

Crash down the third-base line for the bunt.

Double Plays

Bag

6-4-3 Double Play · Runner on 1st · 0 out

Cover third base and protect the line in case of any play there.

Bag

4-6-3 Double Play · Runner on 1st · 0 out

Cover third base.

Ball

5-4-3 Around the Horn · Runner on 1st · 0 out

Field it cleanly and fire to second base ahead of the runner.

Bag

3-6-3 Double Play · Runner on 1st · 0 out

Cover third base.

Bag

1-6-3, Comebacker to the Pitcher · Runner on 1st · 0 out

Cover third base.

Pop-ups & Priority

Bag

Pop-up Over the Middle Infield · Bases empty · 1 out

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

Bag

Foul Pop Near First Base · Bases empty · 0 out

Cover third base — stay home.

Bag

Bloop Between Second, First, and Right · Bases empty · 2 out

Cover third base.

Bag

Pop-up Straight Back at the Plate · Bases empty · 1 out

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

Rundowns

Bag

Rundown Between First and Second · Runner on 1st · 1 out

Cover third in case of another runner or an errant throw.

Ball

Rundown Between Third and Home · Runner on 3rd · 1 out

Receive the throw at third and apply the tag.

Pickoffs

Bag

Pickoff at First (1-3) · Runner on 1st · 0 out

Cover third base and stay alert for a trick play.

Bag

Daylight Play at Second · Runner on 2nd · 1 out

Cover third base in case the runner breaks that way.

Bag

Timing Play at Second (2B) · Runner on 2nd · 0 out

Cover third base.

Bag

Catcher Back-Pick at First · Runner on 1st · 1 out

Cover third base.

Bag

Catcher Back-Pick at Third · Runner on 3rd · 1 out

Sneak back to third, give a target, and apply the tag.

Steals & Coverage

Bag

Steal of Second — Right-Handed Batter · Runner on 1st · 1 out

Cover third base in case of an overthrow.

Bag

Steal of Second — Left-Handed Batter · Runner on 1st · 1 out

Cover third base in case of an overthrow.

Bag

Steal of Third Base · Runner on 2nd · 1 out

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

Bag

Strike 'Em Out, Throw 'Em Out · Runner on 1st · 1 out

Cover third base.

Bag

Delayed Steal of Second · Runner on 1st · 0 out

Cover third base.

First & Third

Ball

First & Third: Throw Through to Second · Runners on 1st & 3rd · 1 out

Hold the runner on third and take a snap throw if he strays too far.

Ball

First & Third: Cut and Go Home · Runners on 1st & 3rd · 1 out

Hold your runner and be ready for a snap throw.

Bag

First & Third: Concede the Run, Take the Out · Runners on 1st & 3rd · 1 out

Cover third base.

Ball

First & Third: Run-and-Hold · Runners on 1st & 3rd · 1 out

Hold the runner on third and take a snap throw if he breaks.

Bag

First & Third: Pitchout, Back-Pick Third · Runners on 1st & 3rd · 0 out

Sneak back to third, give a target, and apply the tag.

Cutoffs & Relays

Bag

Cutoff & Relay — Gap to Right-Center · Runner on 1st · 1 out

Cover third base in case the runner is held or the batter tries to advance.

Ball

Wheel Play: Bunt with a Runner on 2nd · Runner on 2nd · 0 out

Crash hard down the line; your aggression is what makes the wheel work.

Bag

Deep Drive to Left-Center, Double Cut · Runner on 1st · 0 out

Cover third base and take the throw if the runner goes.