Fly ball to shallow left-center

How the play works

A fly ball into shallow left-center brings the left fielder, the center fielder and the shortstop together. The center fielder has priority over the other outfielders, and an outfielder coming in on the ball makes the catch over an infielder running away from the plate, so it is the center fielder's.

Key questions

Who catches a fly ball to shallow left-center?

The center fielder. He has priority over the left fielder, and an outfielder coming in beats an infielder going out.

Why does the center fielder take a fly ball in shallow left-center over the shortstop?

Any outfielder has priority over any infielder when he can make the catch without diving. He is coming in on the ball while the shortstop is running away from the plate.

What does the left fielder do on a fly ball to shallow left-center?

He runs for it until the center fielder calls it, then peels off and gets behind him, deeper than the catch, in case it gets past him.

What does the shortstop do on a fly ball to shallow left-center?

He goes hard and calls early in case it is his. When the center fielder calls him off, he peels off and finishes beside the catch as a backup.

Who covers the bases on a fly ball to shallow left-center?

The first, second and third basemen each cover their own bag, and the catcher covers the plate. The pitcher heads toward the ball, ready for whatever base is left open.

Do runners change who catches a fly ball to shallow left-center?

No. Runners never change the priority. They change what happens after the catch, so every base is covered for a tag-up or a throw.

Every position's job

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

1. CF

   Center fielder

   Catches it · Every center fielder play

   Go get it. The moment you know it is yours, call it and keep calling until everyone else has answered and peeled off. Make the catch with two hands, find the runners, and get the ball back to the infield.

2. LF

   Left fielder

   Chases, then backs up deep · Every left fielder play

   Go hard: you may be the one who ends up under it. If it is yours, call it and keep calling. When the center fielder calls you off, answer him, peel off and get behind him, deeper than the catch, where the ball goes if he misses it. Bend your run around his line instead of stopping and turning around.

3. SS

   Shortstop

   Chases, then peels off · Every shortstop play

   Go hard: you may be the one who ends up under it. Call it as soon as you think you have a shot, early, not when you arrive. When an outfielder calls you off, answer him and peel off without stopping or turning around. Keep your momentum, bend away from his line, and finish beside the catch as his backup in case it gets away.

4. P

   Pitcher

   Ready for an open base · Every pitcher play

   The pitcher never takes a pop-up. Get off the mound toward the ball and be ready for whatever base is left open, or for a throw.

5. C

   Catcher

   Covers the plate · Every catcher play

   Not your ball. Get to the plate, it is yours to cover, and be ready for a tag-up or a throw. Stay there until the ball is back in the infield.

6. 1B

   First baseman

   Covers first · Every first baseman play

   Not your ball. Get to first base and be on the bag for a tag-up or a throw. Stay there until the ball is back in the infield.

7. 2B

   Second baseman

   Covers second · Every second baseman play

   Not your ball. Get to second base and be on the bag for a tag-up or a throw. Stay there until the ball is back in the infield.

8. 3B

   Third baseman

   Covers third · Every third baseman play

   Not your ball. Get to third base and be on the bag for a tag-up or a throw. Stay there until the ball is back in the infield.

9. RF

   Right fielder

   Behind second for a throw · Every right fielder play

   Not your ball. Move in behind second base on your side, ready for a throw in, and stay there until the ball is back in the infield.

Coaching points

1. Everyone who can reach the ball runs for it as if it is his. Nobody slows down on his own; only a call changes a path.
2. Outfielders and infielders use different calls, so an infielder who hears an outfielder knows at once to peel off, even if he was about to make the catch.
3. Infielders call early. The moment you think you have a shot, call it, knowing an outfielder may call you off. Two late calls are how collisions happen.
4. The player who gives way says so out loud. Silence is never a signal.
5. Runners never change who catches the ball. They change what happens after the catch: every base gets covered for a tag-up or a throw.

Test yourself

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

1. Pop-up near home plate. Which way will it drift?

   1. A.Back toward the infield — more the higher it goes
   2. B.Back toward the backstop — more the higher it goes
   3. C.Straight down — pop-ups don’t drift
   4. D.Toward the dugout on the side it was hit
   Show the answerHide the answer

   C. Straight down — pop-ups don’t drift. Back toward the infield — the higher it goes, the more it drifts.

2. Where do you set up under a pop-up near home?

   1. A.Find it, get in front of it, leave 10–15 feet for the drift
   2. B.Throw your mask off first, then turn around and find the ball
   3. C.Run straight under it and wait for it to come down
   4. D.Set up on the backstop side and come in as it falls
   Show the answerHide the answer

   A. Find it, get in front of it, leave 10–15 feet for the drift. Find it first, get in front of it, and leave 10–15 feet for the drift. Let it come to you.

3. A pitch on the right side of the plate gets fouled off. Which way does it usually go?

   1. A.To the right
   2. B.To the left
   3. C.Straight back
   Show the answerHide the answer

   A. To the right. To the right side — and left-side pitches go left.

Related situations

Fly-ball priority: every situation · The full situation library

Terms on this page