Shortstop
Your job on every play — go to the Ball, cover a Bag, or Backup a base.
Ball Bag Backup
No Runners
Go out to short left field as the relay man; line up between the left fielder and second base.
Straddle second base and apply the tag on the relay.
Field the ground ball cleanly and make a strong, accurate throw to first.
Cover second base behind the relay in case the runner stops there.
Sprint to short left-center as the relay man; line up with second base.
Runners On
Cover second base behind the runner and trail the batter-runner.
Line up as the cutoff between right field and third base; read the runner and cut or relay.
Cover second base.
Cover third base — the third baseman is the cutoff, so the bag is yours.
Field it, glance the runner back, then make the routine throw to first.
Bunts
Cover second base in case there is a play on the lead runner.
Cover third base — the runner on second will try to take it.
Cover third base behind the runner.
Cover second base.
Cover third base — both runners will try to advance, so the bag must be manned.
Double Plays
Field the ground ball cleanly and flip to the second baseman covering the bag.
Cover second base, take the feed, touch the bag, and pivot to first.
Back up the throw at second base.
Cover second base, touch the bag, and relay back to first.
Cover second base, take the feed, and relay to first.
Pop-ups & Priority
Call it loud and early — middle infielders have priority over the pitcher and catcher. Settle under it.
Cover second base.
Cover second base.
Cover second base.
Rundowns
Trail in behind second base to back up the throw and take a relay if needed.
Slide in behind third base to back up that end.
Pickoffs
Slide behind second base to back up the throw.
Sneak in behind the runner on the pitcher's read and cover second for the tag.
Back up second base behind the second baseman.
Back up second base.
Back up third base behind the bag.
Steals & Coverage
Stay to your side to field the likely pull, then back up the throw at second.
With a left-handed batter, YOU cover second — straddle the bag and apply the tag.
Rotate toward the middle to back up the play.
Back up the throw at second.
Back up the late throw at second.
First & Third
Back up the throw at second from the shortstop side.
Back up second base.
Back up the throw at second.
Receive at second and start the rundown on the runner from first.
Back up third base behind the bag.
Cutoffs & Relays
Cover second base behind the relay in case the batter-runner stops there.
Sneak behind the runner and cover third base for the force on the lead runner.
Sprint deep into left-center as the lead relay man; line up with third.