Runners on first and 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. His first look is the force at third; a soft bunt makes it the out at first.

Key questions

Who fields a bunt back to the pitcher in the Wheel with runners on first and second?

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

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

To third, for the force on the lead runner. If the ball was bunted softly or he had to come a long way, he takes the sure out at first instead.

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

The shortstop. He rotates to third behind the crashing third baseman, straddles the bag and stretches to the throw without coming off the bag.

What does the third baseman do on a bunt back to the pitcher in the Wheel with runners on first and 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 second base on a bunt back to the pitcher in the Wheel with runners on first and second?

The center fielder. The rotation leaves second open, so he sprints all the way in, straddles the bag and gives a target. See wheel play.

Why use the Wheel on a bunt back to the pitcher with runners on first and second?

It is built to get the lead runner. With the third baseman crashing early and the shortstop rotating to third, the pitcher has a man on the bag for the force, and the center fielder at second keeps the runner from taking 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 third · Every pitcher play

   Attack the bunt the instant it’s down. 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. 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, throw to third. 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. 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. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

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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