Relays and throws
Backing up
Backing up means getting behind a base or a fielder, in line with the throw, so a ball that gets past doesn't roll away and give runners extra bases.
On every play, the players who aren't fielding the ball or covering a base have a backup job. Nobody stands still.
- The pitcher backs up in foul territory: behind third on throws to third, and around the first-base side of the catcher to the backstop on throws home, out of the lane of the runner coming in.
- Outfielders break at contact and drift to their backup spots, arriving as the play develops.
- The catcher follows the batter-runner up the line and backs up throws to first when nobody is on.
Backing up is the job that never shows up in a box score and saves the most runs at youth levels, where overthrows are common.
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