P

Pitcher

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

Ball Bag Backup

No Runners

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

Trail the play and back up third base on the left-field side in case the runner keeps coming.

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

Trail toward second base to back up the relay throw.

Backup
Routine Grounder to Short · Bases empty · 1 out

Break toward first to back up the throw in case it gets away.

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

Trail toward third base to back up the throw at the bag.

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

Trail in to back up second base from behind.

Runners On

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

Sprint to back up home plate behind the catcher in case the throw gets away.

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

Trail toward third base to back up the throw there.

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

Sprint to back up home plate behind the catcher.

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

Sprint to back up home plate behind the catcher.

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

Break toward first to back up the throw.

Bunts

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

Break off the mound and field any bunt up the middle; listen for the catcher's call on where to throw.

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

Field any bunt up the middle and listen for the call; the out is usually at first.

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

Charge the bunt under control and flip home if you field it cleanly.

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

Break toward the first-base line; if you field it, the flip goes to first.

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

Field anything up the middle and listen for the catcher's call.

Double Plays

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

Break toward first base to back up the relay throw in case it gets away.

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

Break toward first base to back up the relay.

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

Break toward first base to back up the relay.

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

Break toward first as insurance in case the first baseman can't get back in time.

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

Field the comebacker, turn glove-side, and give a firm feed to second.

Pop-ups & Priority

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

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

Backup
Foul Pop Near First Base · Bases empty · 0 out

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

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

Back up a base depending on where the play develops.

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

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

Rundowns

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

Slide in behind the first baseman to back up that end of the rundown.

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

Back up the catcher's end near the plate.

Pickoffs

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

Come set, hold, then make a quick chest-high throw to the first baseman's glove at the bag.

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

When you see daylight between the runner and the shortstop, spin and throw to second.

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

On the agreed count, turn and throw to second base — trust your second baseman is there.

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

Get off the mound toward first to back up the throw.

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

Break toward third base to back up the throw.

Steals & Coverage

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

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

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

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

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

Break toward third to back up the throw.

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

Break to back up the throw at second.

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

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

First & Third

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

Watch the runner at third and be ready to cut the throw if he breaks for home.

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

Line up in front of the mound as the cut man; if the runner at third breaks, cut it and throw home.

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

Stay out of the throwing lane and back up the play.

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

Trail in to back up the rundown and watch the runner at third.

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

After the pitchout, break toward third to back up the throw.

Cutoffs & Relays

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

Sprint to back up home plate behind the catcher.

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

Break toward the third-base line to field the bunt; the play is at third if you field it clean.

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

Back up third base or home depending on where the play goes.