Third Base: your job on every play

The third baseman's rules

• When the throw comes to third, you make the call.
• With a runner on second, you're the cutoff man on a single to left.
• On a double with the throw going home, repeat the catcher's calls to the relay man.
• With a runner on second, stay home on a bunt unless the coverage sends you.

Defending a single

Defending a single: how it works

• Covers thirdNobody on, single to left field
• Covers thirdNobody on, single to center field
• Covers thirdNobody on, single to right field
• Takes the throw, makes the callRunner on first, single to left field
• Takes the throw, makes the callRunner on first, single to center field
• Takes the throw and makes the callRunner on first, single to right field
• Cutoff manRunner on second, single to left field
• Covers thirdRunner on second, single to center field
• Covers thirdRunner on second, single to right field
• Cutoff manRunners on first and second, single to left field
• Covers thirdRunners on first and second, single to center field
• Covers thirdRunners on first and second, single to right field

Defending a double

Defending a double: how it works

• Takes the throw, makes the callNobody on, double down the left-field line
• Takes the throw, makes the callNobody on, double to the left-center gap
• Takes the throw, makes the callNobody on, double to the right-center gap
• Takes the throw, makes the callNobody on, double down the right-field line
• Repeats the catcher's callsRunner on first, double down the left-field line
• Repeats the catcher's callsRunner on first, double to the left-center gap
• Repeats the catcher's callsRunner on first, double to the right-center gap
• Repeats the catcher's callsRunner on first, double down the right-field line
• Repeats the catcher's callsRunners on first and second, double down the left-field line
• Repeats the catcher's callsRunners on first and second, double to the left-center gap
• Repeats the catcher's callsRunners on first and second, double to the right-center gap
• Repeats the catcher's callsRunners on first and second, double down the right-field line

Bunt defense

Bunt defense: how it works

• Crashes, stays out of the laneNobody on, bunt to the first-base side
• Fields it and throws to firstNobody on, bunt to the third-base side
• Charges, then retreats to thirdNobody on, bunt back to the pitcher
• Charges, then covers thirdRunner on first, bunt to the first-base side
• Stays home on thirdRunner on first, bunt to the first-base side (Pitcher-to-third coverage)
• Fields it and throws to secondRunner on first, bunt to the third-base side
• Stays home on thirdRunner on first, bunt to the third-base side (Pitcher-to-third coverage)
• Charges, then covers thirdRunner on first, bunt back to the pitcher
• Stays home on thirdRunner on first, bunt back to the pitcher (Pitcher-to-third coverage)
• Stays home at thirdRunner on second, bunt to the first-base side
• Crashes before the pitchRunner on second, bunt to the first-base side (Wheel coverage)
• Stays home at thirdRunner on second, bunt to the third-base side
• Crashes and fields itRunner on second, bunt to the third-base side (Wheel coverage)
• Stays home at thirdRunner on second, bunt back to the pitcher
• Crashes before the pitchRunner on second, bunt back to the pitcher (Wheel coverage)
• Stays home, takes the forceRunners on first and second, bunt to the first-base side
• Crashes before the pitchRunners on first and second, bunt to the first-base side (Wheel coverage)
• Stays home, takes the forceRunners on first and second, bunt to the third-base side
• Crashes and fields itRunners on first and second, bunt to the third-base side (Wheel coverage)
• Stays home, takes the forceRunners on first and second, bunt back to the pitcher
• Crashes before the pitchRunners on first and second, bunt back to the pitcher (Wheel coverage)
• Charges the third-base sideRunner on third, squeeze bunt to the first-base side
• Fields it, throws home or firstRunner on third, squeeze bunt to the third-base side
• Charges the third-base sideRunner 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
• Covers thirdFly ball to shallow left-center
• Covers thirdPop-up to shallow center, left side
• Covers thirdPop-up to shallow center, right side
• Covers thirdFly ball to shallow right-center
• Covers thirdPop-up behind first base

Other positions