How the play works
In the pitcher-to-third coverage the pitcher breaks to the third-base line on every pitch, bunt or not, so the third baseman can stay home. The first baseman charges, the second baseman covers first and the shortstop covers second. A bunt down the third-base line rolls far enough that the pitcher meets it. He fields it and throws where the catcher calls, while the third baseman stays on his bag.
Key questions
- Who fields a bunt to the third-base side in the pitcher-to-third coverage with a runner on first?
- The pitcher. He breaks to the third-base line on every pitch and owns everything from the mound down the line, so he meets the ball, fields it with two hands and listens for the catcher.
- Where does the throw go on a bunt to the third-base side in the pitcher-to-third coverage?
- To second for the force on the lead runner, chest high to the inside of the bag. If the ball was bunted softly or the pitcher had to come a long way, he takes the sure out at first.
- Who covers third base on a bunt to the third-base side in the pitcher-to-third coverage?
- The third baseman, who never left. He cheats in a step, fields only what is bunted hard at him and covers third in case the runner tries for it.
- Who covers second base on a bunt to the third-base side in the pitcher-to-third coverage?
- The shortstop. He straddles the bag facing the pitcher, takes the throw and makes the sure force out, stretching to the ball but never off the bag.
- Who covers first base on a bunt to the third-base side in the pitcher-to-third coverage?
- The second baseman, as soon as the first baseman crashes or the bunt is down. The first baseman holds the runner and then charges, so the second baseman straddles first and expects the backdoor throw if the batter-runner rounds too far.
- What does the catcher do on a bunt to the third-base side in the pitcher-to-third coverage?
- He fields the bunt if it's in front of the plate. Otherwise he points and calls the base, "Two!" or "One!", loud, early and once, then backs up the throw and returns to cover home.
Every position's job
Every fielder has a job on this play, even when the ball never comes near him.
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Pitcher
Fields it and throws to second · Every pitcher play
Break to the third-base line on every pitch, bunt or not; everything from the mound down the line is yours. Attack the bunt the instant it’s down. Field it with two hands and listen for the catcher’s call, “Two!” or “One!” Throw to second for the force on the lead runner, chest high, to the inside of the bag. If the ball was bunted softly or you had to come a long way, take the sure out at first instead. After the throw, get off the base line, find the lead runner and be ready to cover a base if the play goes on.
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Shortstop
Covers second for the force · Every shortstop play
Get to second and straddle the bag, facing the fielder, to give him a target. Take the throw and make the sure force out. Stretch to the ball, never off the bag. Then check the lead runner and get the ball to the pitcher.
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Second baseman
Covers first · Every second baseman play
Cover first as soon as the first baseman crashes or the bunt is down. Straddle the bag for a throw if the out is at first, and expect the backdoor throw if the batter-runner rounds too far. Stay on the bag until the ball is back to the pitcher, and make the tag if the throw comes. If the first baseman doesn’t crash, hold your position and keep the batter-runner from taking second.
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Catcher
Calls the base · Every catcher play
Field the bunt if it’s in front of the plate. Otherwise make the call, loud, early and once: point and call the base, “Two!” for the force or “One!” for the sure out. Then back up the throw, return to the plate and cover it, and watch the lead runner.
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Third baseman
Stays home on third · Every third baseman play
Stay home: cheat in a step and protect the bag. The pitcher has the line in front of you, so field only what is bunted hard at you. Cover third in case the runner tries for it, and call for the ball if he has gone too far. Stay on third until the ball is dead.
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First baseman
Holds the runner, then charges · Every first baseman play
Hold the runner on and leave as the pitch is released, then charge and take everything on the first-base side. The pitcher has this one, so get out of his way. Retreat to first if it’s open; the second baseman is there if you can’t get back.
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Center fielder
Backs up second · Every center fielder play
Break the moment the batter shows bunt and come in to back up second. Line up behind second on the throwing line, 30 to 40 feet deep, and stop anything that gets through. Hold your spot until the ball is back in the infield, then return to your position.
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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 on the throwing line, 30 to 40 feet deep, and stop anything that gets through. Hold your spot until the ball is back in the infield, then return to your position.
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Right fielder
Backs up first · Every right fielder play
Break the moment the batter shows bunt and come in to back up first. Line up behind first on the throwing line, 30 to 40 feet deep, and stop anything that gets through. Hold your spot until the ball is back in the infield, then return to your position.
Coaching points
- This coverage only works if the break to the line happens on every pitch, bunt or not. A crafty bunter will push one back to the mound expecting the pitcher to be gone — the mound and the whole line are his.
- A bunt defense is decided before the pitch: everyone knows who crashes, who covers and who calls. The ball only tells you which of the three fielders picks it up.
- The force on the lead runner at second is the primary play. First base is the fallback: a ball bunted softly, or a fielder who has to come a long way, takes the sure out there.
Test yourself
Questions from the app's Learn sessions. Pick your answer, then check it.
Pitcher-to-3B coverage: who stays home and who takes the third-base line?
- A.The third baseman stays home; the catcher takes the line
- B.The pitcher stays on the mound; the third baseman crashes the line
- C.The shortstop covers third; the third baseman crashes the line
- D.The third baseman stays home; the pitcher takes the line
Show the answerHide the answer
C. The shortstop covers third; the third baseman crashes the line. The third baseman stays home; the pitcher breaks to the third-base line on every pitch.
Runner on first, bunt. What is the first look?
- A.The force at second
- B.The runner, to look him back to first
- C.The sure out at first
- D.Third base, ahead of the runner
Show the answerHide the answer
A. The force at second.
When do you use the Pitcher-to-3B coverage?
- A.Runner on first, when 3B is your best glove or a fake-bunt swing is likely
- B.Nobody on, so both corners can stay back on the bag
- C.Runner on third, to cover the plate against a squeeze
- D.Runner on second, to cut down the lead runner at third
Show the answerHide the answer
C. Runner on third, to cover the plate against a squeeze. Runner on first, when the third baseman is your best glove or you expect a slash.
Sacrifice bunt coming, runner on first. Where do you pitch?
- A.Curveballs in the dirt to everyone
- B.Jam a righty up; low and away to a lefty
- C.Down the middle so he can’t miss it
- D.Low and away to a righty; jam a lefty
Show the answerHide the answer
B. Jam a righty up; low and away to a lefty. Jam a righty with a high strike; low and away to a lefty.
Hard bunt right at you, runner on first. Where’s the throw?
- A.Second, for the double play
- B.First — take the sure out
- C.Third, ahead of the runner
- D.Hold it — there’s no play
Show the answerHide the answer
A. Second, for the double play. Second, for the double play — get it, quick leg under, throw.
Related situations
Runner on first, other bunts
The same bunt, other coverages
Bunt defense: every situation · The full situation library