What does the center fielder do on a double down the line?

The job, step by step

The job is the same idea on each play. The first one is shown in full; after it, only the steps that change.

Nobody on, double down the left-field line

1. FieldContact until the ball is caught

   Break at contact and sprint to back up the outfielder. Set up behind him on the ball’s line, deep enough to keep a miss off the wall.

2. RelayThe ball on its way in

   Watch the play unfold and be his eyes: yell where the throw goes — “Three! Three! Three!” — before he turns. If the ball gets past him, it is yours — field it and hit the shortstop.

3. AssessThe ball back in the infield

   Jog back toward your position, keeping an eye on the runners in case the ball comes back out.

Runner on first, double down the left-field line · Runners on first and second, double down the left-field line: what changes

1. RelayThe ball on its way in

   Watch the play unfold and be his eyes: yell where the throw goes — “Four! Four! Four!” — before he turns. If the ball gets past him, it is yours — field it and hit the shortstop.

Nobody on, double down the right-field line: what changes

1. RelayThe ball on its way in

   Watch the play unfold and be his eyes: yell where the throw goes — “Three! Three! Three!” — before he turns. If the ball gets past him, it is yours.

Runner on first, double down the right-field line · Runners on first and second, double down the right-field line: what changes

1. RelayThe ball on its way in

   Watch the play unfold and be his eyes: yell where the throw goes — “Four! Four! Four!” — before he turns. If the ball gets past him, it is yours.

Who you work with

• LFLeft fielder fields a ball down the left-field line (the right fielder, down the right-field line)
• SSShortstop is the relay man on the left side (the second baseman, on the right)
• CCatcher runs the play when the throw goes home (the third baseman, when it goes to third)

Common mistakes

• Calling late.

  The call has to come before the fielder turns. A fielder who picks the ball up, turns and then hears the base has already lost the throw’s best moment.

• Standing in his line of sight.

  Stay out of the way of his throw and his view of the relay man, and call from behind him.

The plays

Each one opens the full play: every position's job, the coaching points and the animation.

• Backs up, yells the baseNobody on, double down the left-field line
• Backs up, yells the baseRunner on first, double down the left-field line
• Backs up, yells the baseRunners on first and second, double down the left-field line
• Backs up, yells the baseNobody on, double down the right-field line
• Backs up, yells the baseRunner on first, double down the right-field line
• Backs up, yells the baseRunners on first and second, double down the right-field line

Test yourself

Questions from the app's Learn sessions. Pick your answer, then check it.

1. Double down the line: who yells the base to the outfielder?

   1. A.The right fielder
   2. B.The second baseman
   3. C.The center fielder
   4. D.The pitcher
   Show the answerHide the answer

   C. The center fielder. The center fielder, from his backup spot.

More center fielder jobs

• Fields it and throws through the cutoffWhere does the center fielder throw on a single to center?
• Backs up the corner outfielderWhere does the center fielder go on a single to left or right?
• Runs it down with the corner outfielderWhat does the center fielder do on a ball in the gap?
• Backs up second, then the backdoorWhere does the center fielder go on a bunt?
• Backs up the force at secondWhat does the center fielder do on a bunt with a runner on first?
• Covers secondWhat does the center fielder do on the wheel play?

The center fielder on every play · All positions