What does the shortstop do on a single to right field with nobody on?

The job, step by step

The same on this play.

1. FieldContact until the ball is caught

   Get to 2B and straddle the bag, facing the throw. You own the call.

2. RelayThe ball on its way in

   If the batter-runner is coming, call “Through!” early and loud, then take the throw and tag him — catch first, then tag. If he has stopped, call “Cut hold!” instead.

3. AssessThe ball back in the infield

   Ball in hand, first look is the backdoor throw to 1B. Then get it to the pitcher.

Who you work with

• 2BSecond baseman is your cutoff man
• RFRight fielder throws through the cutoff to you
• 1BFirst baseman is on his bag for the backdoor throw

Common mistakes

• Staying quiet.

  Silence is not a call. If the cutoff man hears nothing he has to guess, and a guess is how a throw gets cut that should have come through.

• Reaching for the throw in front of the bag.

  Straddle the bag and let the ball come to you: catch first, then tag. Coming off the bag to meet it turns a tag play into a footrace.

The plays

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

• Covers second and makes the callNobody on, single to right field

Test yourself

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

1. Nobody on, single. Who takes second and owns the call?

   1. A.The middle infielder who isn’t the cutoff
   2. B.The cutoff man, once he has the ball
   3. C.The pitcher, from behind the mound
   4. D.The first baseman, once the runner passes
   Show the answerHide the answer

   A. The middle infielder who isn’t the cutoff. The other middle infielder — the one who isn’t the cutoff.

More shortstop jobs

• Cutoff man to secondWhat does the shortstop do on a single to left or center with nobody on?
• Cutoff man to thirdWhat does the shortstop do on a single with a runner on first?
• Relay manWhat does the shortstop do on a double to the left side?
• Trailer behind the relayWhat does the shortstop do on a double to the right side?
• Covers thirdWhat does the shortstop do on a single to left with a runner on second?
• Covers secondWhat does the shortstop do on a single to center or right with a runner on second?
• Takes the force at secondWhat does the shortstop do on a bunt with a runner on first?
• Rotates to thirdWhat does the shortstop do on the wheel play?

The shortstop on every play · All positions