Second Base: your job on every play

The second baseman's rules

• Nobody on, single to right: you're the cutoff man.
• On a double to the right side you relay; on the left side you trail the shortstop.
• On most bunts, cover first.
• You have priority over the first baseman on a pop-up.

Defending a single

Defending a single: how it works

• Covers second and makes the callNobody on, single to left field
• Covers second and makes the callNobody on, single to center field
• Cutoff manNobody on, single to right field
• Covers secondRunner on first, single to left field
• Covers secondRunner on first, single to center field
• Covers secondRunner on first, single to right field
• Covers secondRunner on second, single to left field
• Covers firstRunner on second, single to center field
• Covers firstRunner on second, single to right field
• Covers secondRunners on first and second, single to left field
• Covers firstRunners on first and second, single to center field
• Covers firstRunners on first and second, single to right field

Defending a double

Defending a double: how it works

• Trailer, calls the backdoorNobody on, double down the left-field line
• Trailer, calls the backdoorNobody on, double to the left-center gap
• Relay manNobody on, double to the right-center gap
• Relay manNobody on, double down the right-field line
• Trailer, calls the backdoorRunner on first, double down the left-field line
• Trailer, calls the backdoorRunner on first, double to the left-center gap
• Relay manRunner on first, double to the right-center gap
• Relay manRunner on first, double down the right-field line
• Trailer, calls the backdoorRunners on first and second, double down the left-field line
• Trailer, calls the backdoorRunners on first and second, double to the left-center gap
• Relay manRunners on first and second, double to the right-center gap
• Relay manRunners on first and second, double down the right-field line

Bunt defense

Bunt defense: how it works

• Covers firstNobody on, bunt to the first-base side
• Covers firstNobody on, bunt to the third-base side
• Covers firstNobody on, bunt back to the pitcher
• Covers firstRunner on first, bunt to the first-base side
• Covers firstRunner on first, bunt to the first-base side (Pitcher-to-third coverage)
• Covers firstRunner on first, bunt to the third-base side
• Covers firstRunner on first, bunt to the third-base side (Pitcher-to-third coverage)
• Covers firstRunner on first, bunt back to the pitcher
• Covers firstRunner on first, bunt back to the pitcher (Pitcher-to-third coverage)
• Covers firstRunner on second, bunt to the first-base side
• Covers firstRunner on second, bunt to the first-base side (Wheel coverage)
• Covers firstRunner on second, bunt to the third-base side
• Covers firstRunner on second, bunt to the third-base side (Wheel coverage)
• Covers firstRunner on second, bunt back to the pitcher
• Covers firstRunner on second, bunt back to the pitcher (Wheel coverage)
• Covers firstRunners on first and second, bunt to the first-base side
• Covers firstRunners on first and second, bunt to the first-base side (Wheel coverage)
• Covers firstRunners on first and second, bunt to the third-base side
• Covers firstRunners on first and second, bunt to the third-base side (Wheel coverage)
• Covers firstRunners on first and second, bunt back to the pitcher
• Covers firstRunners on first and second, bunt back to the pitcher (Wheel coverage)
• Covers firstRunner on third, squeeze bunt to the first-base side
• Covers firstRunner on third, squeeze bunt to the third-base side
• Covers firstRunner on third, squeeze bunt back to the pitcher

Fly-ball priority

Fly-ball priority: how it works

• Covers secondPop-up behind third base
• Covers secondFly ball to shallow left-center
• Chases, then peels offPop-up to shallow center, left side
• Chases, then peels offPop-up to shallow center, right side
• Chases, then peels offFly ball to shallow right-center
• Catches itPop-up behind first base

Other positions