What does the center fielder do on the wheel play?

The job, step by step

The same on all 6 plays below.

1. FieldThe pitch until the ball is fielded

   Break as the batter squares and sprint all the way in to 2B — the rotation leaves it open and it is yours. Straddle the bag and give a target. You are the backdoor option on a runner who has wandered, and the reason he cannot take a big lead.

2. AssessThe ball back in the infield

   Stay on the bag until the ball is dead, then jog back out.

Who you work with

• SSShortstop rotates to third
• 3BThird baseman crashes before the pitch
• 2BSecond baseman covers first

Common mistakes

• Breaking too late.

  It is a long run from center to second. Go when the batter squares, or second is empty when it matters.

• Stopping short of the bag.

  Straddle the bag and give a target. A center fielder behind second can back up a throw but can’t take one.

The plays

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

• Covers secondRunners on first and second, bunt back to the pitcher (Wheel coverage)
• Covers secondRunners on first and second, bunt to the first-base side (Wheel coverage)
• Covers secondRunners on first and second, bunt to the third-base side (Wheel coverage)
• Covers secondRunner on second, bunt back to the pitcher (Wheel coverage)
• Covers secondRunner on second, bunt to the first-base side (Wheel coverage)
• Covers secondRunner on second, bunt to the third-base side (Wheel coverage)

Test yourself

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

1. The Wheel: who covers third, and who covers second?

   1. A.The shortstop rotates to third; the center fielder comes in to second
   2. B.The third baseman stays home; the shortstop covers second
   3. C.The shortstop covers third; the second baseman covers second
   4. D.The left fielder comes in to third; the shortstop covers second
   Show the answerHide the answer

   A. The shortstop rotates to third; the center fielder comes in to second. The shortstop rotates to third; the center fielder comes all the way in to cover second.

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 and calls the baseWhat does the center fielder do on a double down the line?
• 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?

The center fielder on every play · All positions