Runner on second, bunt back to the pitcher (Wheel coverage)

How the play works

In the Wheel the third baseman crashes before the pitch, the shortstop rotates to third, the second baseman covers first and the center fielder comes all the way in to second. A bunt back to the pitcher dies in front of the mound, so it is his. With no force at third, the fielder looks the runner back to second and takes the out at first.

Key questions

Who fields a bunt back to the pitcher in the Wheel with a runner on second?

The pitcher. He attacks it the instant it is down, fields it with two hands, looks the runner back to second and listens for the catcher's call of "One!"

Where does the throw go on a bunt back to the pitcher in the Wheel with a runner on second?

To first. With only a runner on second there's no force at third, so the pitcher looks the runner back to second, then takes the sure out at first on the catcher's call of "One!"

Who covers third base on a bunt back to the pitcher in the Wheel with a runner on second?

The shortstop. He rotates to third behind the crashing third baseman, straddles the bag and gives the pitcher a target.

What does the third baseman do on a bunt back to the pitcher in the Wheel with a runner on second?

He crashes before the pitch and takes everything down the third-base line. When the ball goes to the pitcher instead, he gets back to third as soon as the throw is made.

Who covers first base on a bunt back to the pitcher in the Wheel with a runner on second?

The second baseman, as soon as the first baseman crashes or the bunt is down. He straddles first for the throw and expects a backdoor throw if the batter-runner rounds too far.

Why does the center fielder cover second on a bunt back to the pitcher in the Wheel with a runner on second?

Because the rotation leaves second open. He sprints all the way in, straddles the bag and gives a target: the backdoor option on a runner who has wandered, and the reason the runner can't take a big lead.

Every position's job

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

1. P

   Pitcher

   Fields it, throws to first · Every pitcher play

   Attack the bunt the instant it’s down. Field it with two hands, look the runner back to second and listen for the catcher’s call of “One!” With no force at third, take the sure out at first. After the throw, get off the baseline, find the lead runner and be ready to cover a base if the play goes on.

2. SS

   Shortstop

   Rotates to cover third · Every shortstop play

   Rotate to third behind the crashing third baseman. Straddle the bag, face the fielder and give him a target. You keep the runner from taking third while the out is made at first; make the tag if he tries for it anyway. Then check the runners and get the ball to the pitcher.

3. C

   Catcher

   Makes the call · Every catcher play

   Field the bunt if it’s in front of the plate. Otherwise make the call, loud, early and once: “One!” With only a runner on second there’s no force at third, so the out is at first. Then back up the throw, return to the plate and cover it, and watch the lead runner.

4. 3B

   Third baseman

   Crashes before the pitch · Every third baseman play

   Crash before the pitch; the shortstop rotates to third behind you. Everything down the third-base line is yours. If you field it, look the runner back to second and throw to first. Get back toward third once the throw is made.

5. 1B

   First baseman

   Charges the right side · Every first baseman play

   Charge hard and field anything on your side of the mound. If you field it, look the runner back to second and throw to first. If it isn’t yours, get out of the fielder’s way. Then retreat to first if it’s open; the second baseman is there if you can’t get back.

6. 2B

   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 the throw. If the batter-runner rounds too far, expect the backdoor throw and make the tag. Stay on the bag until the ball is back to the pitcher. If the first baseman doesn’t crash, hold your position and keep the batter-runner from taking second.

7. CF

   Center fielder

   Covers second · Every center fielder play

   Break as the batter squares and sprint all the way in to second. The rotation leaves it open, and it’s yours. Straddle the bag and give a target: you’re the backdoor option on a runner who has wandered, and the reason he can’t take a big lead. Stay on the bag until the ball is dead, then jog back out.

8. LF

   Left fielder

   Backs up third · Every left fielder play

   Break the moment the batter shows bunt, with the corners, and come in to back up third. Line up behind the bag 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.

9. RF

   Right fielder

   Backs up first · Every right fielder play

   Break the moment the batter shows bunt, with the corners, and come in to back up first. Line up behind the bag 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

1. Hold the runner close with a pick-off move before the pitch. With only a runner on second there is no force at third: the catcher calls “One!”, the fielder looks the runner back, and the out is made at first.
2. 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.
3. The Wheel is built to get the lead runner at third, but that takes a force. With only a runner on second its job is to keep him at second: the shortstop holds third and the center fielder on second is the backdoor option and the reason he cannot take a big lead.

Test yourself

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

1. Runner on second only, bunt. Where is the out?

   1. A.At first — look the runner back to second, then throw
   2. B.At third — always get the lead runner
   3. C.At second — throw behind the runner
   4. D.At first — throw right away, no look
   Show the answerHide the answer

   D. At first — throw right away, no look. At first. Field it, look the runner back to second, then throw to first. Third only if he keeps going.

2. Runner on second (alone or with first): who owns which side of the infield on a bunt?

   1. A.Catcher everything in front; both corners crash
   2. B.Pitcher the right side, third baseman the left; first baseman stays home
   3. C.Third baseman the left, first baseman the right; pitcher the middle
   4. D.Pitcher the left side, first baseman the right; third baseman stays home
   Show the answerHide the answer

   B. Pitcher the right side, third baseman the left; first baseman stays home. The pitcher owns the left side, the first baseman the right. The third baseman stays home.

3. Runner on second: when does the third baseman field a bunt?

   1. A.Only a firm bunt that gets past the pitcher down the line
   2. B.Anything bunted toward the third-base side
   3. C.Every bunt, so the pitcher can cover third
   4. D.Only a soft bunt right in front of the plate
   Show the answerHide the answer

   B. Anything bunted toward the third-base side. Only a firm bunt that gets past the pitcher down the line — and then his throw is to first, or a fake and a backdoor.

4. The Wheel: who covers third, and who covers second?

   1. A.The shortstop rotates to third; the center fielder comes in to second
   2. B.The left fielder comes in to third; the shortstop covers second
   3. C.The shortstop covers third; the second baseman covers second
   4. D.The third baseman stays home; the shortstop covers second
   Show the answerHide the answer

   A. The shortstop rotates to third; the center fielder comes in to second. The shortstop rotates to third; the center fielder comes all the way in to cover second.

5. The Wheel: when does the third baseman go?

   1. A.As the pitch reaches the plate
   2. B.Before the pitch
   3. C.He doesn’t — he holds the bag
   4. D.When the ball is on the ground
   Show the answerHide the answer

   B. Before the pitch. He crashes before the pitch.

6. What should the pitcher do before running the Wheel?

   1. A.Nothing special — just make a good pitch
   2. B.Let the runner take a big lead to bait the bunt
   3. C.Hold the runner close with a pick-off move
   4. D.Throw a pitch-out to see whether he’ll bunt
   Show the answerHide the answer

   C. Hold the runner close with a pick-off move. Hold the runner close with a pick-off move first.

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Bunt defense: every situation · The full situation library

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