Nobody on, double down the right-field line

How the play works

A ball down the right-field line is too deep to throw through. The second baseman goes out as the relay man with the shortstop trailing him, the third baseman lines him up and makes the call, and the first baseman trails the batter-runner to second for the backdoor.

Key questions

Where does the throw go on a double down the right-field line with nobody on?

To third base, by way of the second baseman as the relay man. A double is too far to throw through, so the right fielder hits the second baseman in the chest and the third baseman decides what happens next.

Who is the relay man on a double down the right-field line with nobody on?

The second baseman. He sprints to the straight line between the right fielder and third base, hands up, and catches every throw. The first baseman never relays; he trails the batter-runner to second.

Who is the trailer on a double down the right-field line with nobody on?

The shortstop, 25 to 30 feet behind the second baseman in line with the throw. He catches an overthrow at chest level, long-hops an underthrow, and yells "Cut 2!" if the batter-runner rounds second too far.

Who makes the call on a double down the right-field line with nobody on?

The third baseman, early and once: "Cut 3" if the batter-runner is coming, "Cut hold" if he isn't, "Cut 2" for the backdoor. See cut calls.

Who covers second base on a double down the right-field line with nobody on?

The first baseman. He trails the batter-runner to second, a step inside the base line, and is on the bag as he rounds it, ready for the backdoor throw from the second baseman.

Who backs up third base on a double down the right-field line with nobody on?

The pitcher, about 30 feet behind third in line with the throw. If the runner commits to third, the left fielder backs up behind him, in foul territory on the outfield side of third. See backing up.

Every position's job

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

1. RF

   Right fielder

   Fields it, hits the relay man · Every right fielder play

   Charge the ball under control and field it cleanly off your glove-side foot so you can throw in rhythm. Hit the second baseman in the chest with a firm, accurate throw. Don’t short-hop him. Then jog in behind your throw and watch the runners. If the ball gets back out, you’re the first one on it.

2. 2B

   Second baseman

   Relay man · Every second baseman play

   Sprint to the relay spot on the straight line between the right fielder and third base, hands up, calling for the ball. Catch it on your glove side, already turning to the infield. The third baseman makes the call: on “Cut 3,” relay it to third; on “Cut hold,” cut it and look in; on “Cut 2,” throw behind the batter-runner at second. With the ball in hand or just released, check the batter-runner rounding second. If anyone yells “Backdoor,” look there now: a quick throw to second gets the runner who drifts too far.

3. SS

   Shortstop

   Trailer, calls the backdoor · Every shortstop play

   Follow the second baseman out and set up 25 to 30 feet behind him, in line with the throw. Anything that gets past him is yours. The third baseman makes the call; yours is the backdoor. If the batter-runner rounds second too far, yell “Cut 2!” Once the ball is in, cover the nearest open base and watch the batter-runner at second. Nobody takes an extra base on an overthrow.

4. 3B

   Third baseman

   Takes the throw, makes the call · Every third baseman play

   Get to third and straddle the bag. Line the second baseman up with your voice and arm so the throw comes in straight, and give him a target. Make the call early and once: “Cut 3!” if the batter-runner is coming, “Cut hold!” if he isn’t, “Cut 2!” for the backdoor. Take the throw and put the tag on: catch it first, then tag. Afterward, keep the ball in front of you, check every runner and get it to the pitcher.

5. CF

   Center fielder

   Backs up, yells the base · Every center fielder play

   Break at contact and sprint to back up the right fielder. Set up behind him on the ball’s line, deep enough to keep a miss off the wall. Watch the play unfold and be his eyes: yell where the throw goes, “Three! Three! Three!”, before he turns. If the ball gets past him, it’s yours: field it and hit the second baseman. Otherwise jog back toward your position, keeping an eye on the runners in case the ball comes back out.

6. 1B

   First baseman

   Trails the batter-runner to second · Every first baseman play

   Watch the batter-runner touch first, staying inside the line and out of his way. Then trail him to second, a step inside the base line, and be on the bag as he rounds it. Set up on second for the backdoor throw from the second baseman and tag the runner if he has drifted too far off the bag.

7. P

   Pitcher

   Backs up third · Every pitcher play

   Get off the mound at contact and head for the backup spot behind third, staying out of the runner’s way. Set up about 30 feet behind third, square to the throw from the second baseman, and stop any overthrow. The left fielder is behind you. If the ball is cut, move to back up the next likely throw. Then get the ball back and get on the rubber.

8. LF

   Left fielder

   Backs up second, then third · Every left fielder play

   Watch the play develop and get in position to back up a throw to second: a throw over the man at the bag is yours. If the runner shows he is committed to going to third, head for the backup spot in foul territory on the outfield side of third, behind the pitcher. Hold there until the ball is back in the infield, then return to your position.

9. C

   Catcher

   Holds the plate · Every catcher play

   Stay at the plate. The third baseman runs this relay, so only shout if the play changes direction. Hold the plate and watch the batter-runner: if the throw gets past third, you have a play at home. Stay home until the ball is dead, then call for the ball back to the pitcher.

Coaching points

1. Down the RF line the second baseman and shortstop are the two-man relay to 3B; the first baseman trails the batter-runner and covers 2B.
2. The calls come from the man at the base the throw is headed to: “Cut 3” (or “Cut 4”) means relay it there; “Cut hold” means cut it, look in, and decide; “Cut 2” is the backdoor. Anyone on the field can yell “Backdoor” to get the relay man looking for it.
3. A double is too far to throw through. The relay man catches every time, and the trailer behind him is the insurance.

Test yourself

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

1. Double down the line: who yells the base to the outfielder?

   1. A.The right fielder
   2. B.The second baseman
   3. C.The center fielder
   4. D.The pitcher
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   C. The center fielder. The center fielder, from his backup spot.

2. Doubles: who relays and who trails?

   1. A.The middle infielder on the ball’s side relays; the other trails
   2. B.The shortstop always relays; the second baseman always trails
   3. C.The middle infielder relays; the first baseman trails
   4. D.The third baseman relays; the shortstop trails
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   D. The third baseman relays; the shortstop trails. The middle infielder on the ball’s side relays and the other trails — down the right-field line too. Never the first baseman.

3. Double to the right side. What does the left fielder do?

   1. A.Backs up third first, then moves behind second
   2. B.Comes in to cover third base himself
   3. C.Runs over to back up the center fielder
   4. D.Backs up second, then slides behind third
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   C. Runs over to back up the center fielder. Backs up a throw to second first, then moves to foul territory beyond third — behind the pitcher — once the ball is clearly going there.

4. On a double, what does the first baseman do?

   1. A.Trails the batter-runner to second, on the bag as he rounds it
   2. B.Stays on first in case the runner has to come back
   3. C.Goes out as the trailer behind the relay man
   4. D.Backs up the throw to third from foul territory
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   B. Stays on first in case the runner has to come back. Trails the batter-runner to second and is on the bag as he rounds it, for the backdoor.

5. Double, nobody on. Where does the throw go, and who runs the relay?

   1. A.To third; the third baseman runs it
   2. B.Home; the catcher runs it
   3. C.To second; the second baseman runs it
   4. D.To third; the catcher runs it from home
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   C. To second; the second baseman runs it. To third; the third baseman runs it.

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Defending a double: every situation · The full situation library

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