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

How the play works

In the Wheel the third baseman crashes before the pitch, so a bunt toward third is his. The shortstop rotates in behind him to cover third, the second baseman covers first and the center fielder comes all the way in to second. The third baseman's first look is the force at third; a soft bunt or a long run to the ball makes it the out at first.

Key questions

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

The third baseman. He crashes before the pitch, attacks the bunt and listens for the catcher's call: "Three!" or "One!"

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

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

Where does the throw go on a bunt to the third-base side 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 the third baseman had to come a long way, he takes the sure out at first instead.

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

He breaks to the plate after releasing the pitch and takes anything down the middle, yielding to a corner who calls it. If it isn't his, he gets off the throwing line, then covers the open base.

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

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

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

The left fielder. He breaks when the batter shows bunt and lines up 30 to 40 feet behind third on the throwing line. See backing up.

Every position's job

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

1. 3B

   Third baseman

   Crashes and fields it · Every third baseman play

   You crash before the pitch, so attack the bunt the moment 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. 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.

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.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. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. What is the Wheel built for?

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

   D. Protecting against a slash. 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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