Left Field: your job on every play

The left fielder's rules

• On a single, throw through the cutoff man, chest high.
• On a double, hit the relay man in the chest.
• When the ball is hit elsewhere, back up third or second.
• On a bunt, come in behind third.

Defending a single

Defending a single: how it works

• Fields it and throws to secondNobody on, single to left field
• Backs up the center fielderNobody on, single to center field
• Backs up secondNobody on, single to right field
• Fields it and throws to thirdRunner on first, single to left field
• Backs up the center fielderRunner on first, single to center field
• Backs up third, deeper than the pitcherRunner on first, single to right field
• Fields it and throws homeRunner on second, single to left field
• Backs up thirdRunner on second, single to center field
• Backs up thirdRunner on second, single to right field
• Fields it and throws homeRunners on first and second, single to left field
• Backs up thirdRunners on first and second, single to center field
• Backs up thirdRunners on first and second, single to right field

Defending a double

Defending a double: how it works

• Fields it, hits the relay manNobody on, double down the left-field line
• Yells the base for the fielderNobody on, double to the left-center gap
• Backs up second, then thirdNobody on, double to the right-center gap
• Backs up second, then thirdNobody on, double down the right-field line
• Fields it, hits the relay manRunner on first, double down the left-field line
• Yells the base for the fielderRunner on first, double to the left-center gap
• Backs up second, then thirdRunner on first, double to the right-center gap
• Backs up second, then thirdRunner on first, double down the right-field line
• Fields it, hits the relay manRunners on first and second, double down the left-field line
• Yells the base for the fielderRunners on first and second, double to the left-center gap
• Backs up second, then thirdRunners on first and second, double to the right-center gap
• Backs up second, then thirdRunners on first and second, double down the right-field line

Bunt defense

Bunt defense: how it works

• Backs up thirdNobody on, bunt to the first-base side
• Backs up thirdNobody on, bunt to the third-base side
• Backs up thirdNobody on, bunt back to the pitcher
• Backs up thirdRunner on first, bunt to the first-base side
• Backs up thirdRunner on first, bunt to the first-base side (Pitcher-to-third coverage)
• Backs up thirdRunner on first, bunt to the third-base side
• Backs up thirdRunner on first, bunt to the third-base side (Pitcher-to-third coverage)
• Backs up thirdRunner on first, bunt back to the pitcher
• Backs up thirdRunner on first, bunt back to the pitcher (Pitcher-to-third coverage)
• Backs up thirdRunner on second, bunt to the first-base side
• Backs up thirdRunner on second, bunt to the first-base side (Wheel coverage)
• Backs up thirdRunner on second, bunt to the third-base side
• Backs up thirdRunner on second, bunt to the third-base side (Wheel coverage)
• Backs up thirdRunner on second, bunt back to the pitcher
• Backs up thirdRunner on second, bunt back to the pitcher (Wheel coverage)
• Backs up thirdRunners on first and second, bunt to the first-base side
• Backs up thirdRunners on first and second, bunt to the first-base side (Wheel coverage)
• Backs up thirdRunners on first and second, bunt to the third-base side
• Backs up thirdRunners on first and second, bunt to the third-base side (Wheel coverage)
• Backs up thirdRunners on first and second, bunt back to the pitcher
• Backs up thirdRunners on first and second, bunt back to the pitcher (Wheel coverage)
• Backs up thirdRunner on third, squeeze bunt to the first-base side
• Backs up thirdRunner on third, squeeze bunt to the third-base side
• Backs up thirdRunner on third, squeeze bunt back to the pitcher

Fly-ball priority

Fly-ball priority: how it works

• Chases, then peels offPop-up behind third base
• Chases, then backs up deepFly ball to shallow left-center
• Backs up the catchPop-up to shallow center, left side
• Behind second for a throwPop-up to shallow center, right side
• Behind second for a throwFly ball to shallow right-center
• Comes in a few stepsPop-up behind first base

Other positions