Nobody on, bunt to the third-base side

How the play works

With nobody on, the bunt defense is the Standard coverage: both corners crash the moment the batter squares, the second baseman rotates over to cover first and the shortstop covers second. A bunt toward third belongs to the third baseman, who throws across to the second baseman on the bag while the right fielder backs up the throw.

Key questions

Who fields a bunt to the third-base side with nobody on?

The third baseman. He crashes toward the plate the moment the batter squares, and everything on the third-base side of the mound is his.

Who covers first base on a bunt to the third-base side with nobody on?

The second baseman, as soon as the first baseman crashes or the bunt is down. He holds his depth shaded toward first, rotates over as the corners crash and gets to the bag ahead of the throw.

Why doesn't the first baseman cover first on a bunt to the third-base side with nobody on?

Because he crashes too. Both corners charge the moment the batter squares, so the second baseman takes the throw at first and the first baseman stays out of the throwing lane.

What does the catcher do on a bunt to the third-base side with nobody on?

He explodes forward and takes anything right in front of the plate. If the ball isn't his, he calls who has it and where it goes, "One! One!", loud, early and once. Then he covers home.

Who backs up first base on a bunt to the third-base side with nobody on?

The right fielder. He breaks the moment the batter shows bunt and lines up 30 to 40 feet behind first on the fielder's throwing line, so an overthrow is his. See backing up.

Who covers second base on a bunt to the third-base side with nobody on?

The shortstop, in case of an overthrow at first or an alert batter-runner trying for two. The center fielder comes in behind him, then slides toward left to back up a backdoor throw from first.

Every position's job

Every fielder has a job on this play, even when the ball never comes near him.

1. 3B

   Third baseman

   Fields it and throws to first · Every third baseman play

   Crash hard toward the plate the moment the batter squares. Everything on the third-base side of the mound is yours. Field it, bare hand or glove, set a strong base and fire a low, accurate throw to the second baseman covering first. Nobody is on, so third doesn’t need covering yet, but get back to the bag once the out is made.

2. 2B

   Second baseman

   Covers first · Every second baseman play

   Cover first as soon as the first baseman crashes or the bunt is down. Get to the bag ahead of the throw, give the fielder a target and make the sure out. Stretch to the ball, never off the bag. Then check the batter-runner and get the ball back to the pitcher. If the first baseman doesn’t crash, hold your position and keep the batter-runner from taking second.

3. C

   Catcher

   Calls the base, covers home · Every catcher play

   Start at standard depth, then explode forward the instant the bunt is down. Anything right in front of the plate is yours, so call for it. If it isn’t yours, call who has it and where it goes: “One! One!” Make the call loud, early and once. Then cover home, confirm the out at first and get the ball back.

4. P

   Pitcher

   Crashes, then clears the lane · Every pitcher play

   Make your normal delivery, up and away so the bunt is hard to drop, then crash hard. You field anything down the middle and take the third-base line if the third baseman is tied up. On this ball the third baseman has it, so get out of his way and off the throwing line. Then find the batter-runner. If the throw gets away, the second baseman is on first and the right fielder is behind him.

5. 1B

   First baseman

   Crashes, stays out of the lane · Every first baseman play

   Crash hard toward the plate the moment the batter squares, covering the first-base side in case the ball comes your way. The third baseman has this one, so stay out of the throwing lane and let the second baseman take the throw at first. Stay off the base line until the play is over, then get back to first.

6. SS

   Shortstop

   Covers second · Every shortstop play

   Hold standard depth, shaded toward second, and move to cover second. You’re there in case of an overthrow at first or an alert batter-runner trying for two. Stay on the bag until the ball is dead.

7. RF

   Right fielder

   Backs up first · Every right fielder play

   Break the moment the batter shows bunt and come in to back up the throw to first. Line up behind first on the fielder’s throwing line, 30 to 40 feet deep. An overthrow is yours. Hold until the ball is dead.

8. CF

   Center fielder

   Behind second, then the backdoor · Every center fielder play

   Break the moment the batter shows bunt and come straight in behind second, reading the play. If anything is thrown to second, you’re the backup. The moment the ball goes across the diamond to first, break toward left field: now you’re backing up a throw from first to second on a backdoor play. Hold your spot until the ball is dead, then jog back out.

9. LF

   Left fielder

   Backs up third · Every left fielder play

   Break the moment the batter shows bunt and come in to back up third. Line up behind third in case a throw is redirected there, and hold until the ball is dead.

Coaching points

1. Pre-pitch: the catcher or coach signals the alignment so every infielder knows the corners are crashing.
2. The read: the pitcher works up and away to make a clean bunt hard to drop. The moment the batter squares, 1B and 3B break for the plate at full speed.
3. Fielding priority: the catcher takes the ball right in front of the plate; the pitcher takes the ball down the middle, or the 3B line if the third baseman is tied up; the corners take everything down their own line.
4. With nobody on there is no lead runner to worry about: the whole defense exists to take the out at first, so every move is about getting the ball there fast and sure.

Test yourself

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

1. Nobody on, bunt: which coverage?

   1. A.Standard — both corners crash and the out is at first
   2. B.The Wheel — the third baseman crashes before the pitch
   3. C.Pitcher to 3B — the third baseman stays home
   4. D.Squeeze — everyone charges and the throw goes home
   Show the answerHide the answer

   D. Squeeze — everyone charges and the throw goes home. Standard only — both corners crash, second baseman covers first, shortstop covers second, the out is at first.

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Bunt defense: every situation · The full situation library

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