Runners on first and second, bunt to the first-base side (Wheel coverage)

How the play works

The Wheel is built to get the lead runner. The third baseman crashes before the pitch, the shortstop rotates to third behind him, the second baseman covers first and the center fielder comes all the way in to cover second. On a bunt to the first-base side the first baseman charges, fields it and throws to third for the force unless the catcher calls first.

Key questions

What is the Wheel bunt defense with runners on first and second?

A rotation built to get the lead runner. The third baseman crashes before the pitch, the shortstop rotates to third, the second baseman covers first, the first baseman charges and the center fielder comes in to cover second. See wheel play.

Who fields a bunt to the first-base side in the Wheel with runners on first and second?

The first baseman. He attacks the bunt the instant it is down, fields it with two hands and listens for the catcher's call: "Three!" or "One!"

Who covers third base on a bunt to the first-base side in the Wheel with runners on first and second?

The shortstop. He rotates to third behind the crashing third baseman and makes the force, stretching to the ball without coming off the bag.

When does the throw go to first on a bunt to the first-base side in the Wheel with runners on first and second?

When the shortstop can't beat the runner to third, or the ball was bunted softly or the fielder had to come a long way. Then the catcher calls "One!" and the sure out is at first.

Who covers second base on a bunt to the first-base side in the Wheel with runners on first and second?

The center fielder. He breaks as the batter squares and sprints all the way in to second, where he is the backdoor option and the reason the runner can't take a big lead.

What happens before the pitch in the Wheel on a bunt to the first-base side with runners on first and second?

The pitcher holds the runner close with a pick-off move, and the third baseman crashes before the pitch with the shortstop rotating behind him. The whole bunt defense is decided before the ball is thrown.

Every position's job

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

1. 1B

   First baseman

   Fields it, throws to third · Every first baseman play

   Attack the bunt the instant the batter shows bunt. Field it with two hands and listen for the catcher’s call: “Three!” or “One!” Throw to third 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 baseline, find the lead runner and be ready to cover a base if the play goes on.

2. SS

   Shortstop

   Rotates to third, takes the force · Every shortstop play

   Rotate to third behind the crashing third baseman. Straddle the bag, face the fielder and give him a target. Take the throw and make the force out at third, stretching to the ball, never off the bag. Then check the lead runner 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: point to third and call “Three!”, or “One!” when 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, throw to third, where the shortstop has the bag. Get back to third as soon as the throw is made.

5. P

   Pitcher

   Takes the middle · Every pitcher play

   Break to the plate after you release the pitch and take anything down the middle, yielding to a corner who calls it. If you field it, throw to third. If not, get out of the fielder’s way and off the throwing line. Then cover the open base: first if the first baseman charged and the second baseman is late, otherwise get back to the rubber.

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. The shortstop has to beat the runner to third — if he cannot, the catcher calls “One!” and the sure out is 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: with runners on first and second the force at third is the first look. The center fielder on second is the backdoor option and the reason the runner cannot take a big lead.

Test yourself

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

1. 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 third baseman stays home; the shortstop covers second
   3. C.The shortstop covers third; the second baseman covers second
   4. D.The left fielder comes in to third; 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.

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

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

   B. As the pitch reaches the plate. He crashes before the pitch.

3. Runners on first and second, bunt. What is the first look?

   1. A.The force at third
   2. B.The force at second
   3. C.The sure out at first
   4. D.Looking the lead runner back to second
   Show the answerHide the answer

   A. The force at third.

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

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

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

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

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

   C. Nothing special — just make a good pitch. Hold the runner close with a pick-off move first.

6. What is the Wheel built for?

   1. A.Protecting against a slash
   2. B.Stopping a squeeze bunt
   3. C.Getting the sure out at first
   4. D.Getting the lead runner
   Show the answerHide the answer

   D. Getting the lead runner. To get the lead runner at third — with the center fielder on second as the backdoor option and a deterrent to a big lead. It needs a runner on second.

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Bunt defense: every situation · The full situation library

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