Pop-up behind first base

How the play works

A pop-up into shallow right, over the first baseman, brings the right fielder, the second baseman and the first baseman together. The second baseman has priority over the first baseman, and the right fielder would have to dive for a ball the second baseman catches standing up, so it is the second baseman's. With the first baseman chasing, the pitcher covers first.

Key questions

Who catches a pop-up behind first base?

The second baseman. He has priority over the first baseman, and he gets there standing up while the right fielder would have to dive.

Why does the second baseman take a pop-up behind first over the first baseman?

The middle infielder comes to a shallow ball at an angle instead of chasing it straight back, so the second baseman has priority over the first baseman.

Why doesn't the right fielder catch a pop-up behind first base?

He would have to dive for it. A ball an infielder catches standing up and an outfielder would have to dive for is the infielder's.

Who covers first base on a pop-up behind first?

The pitcher. The first baseman is chasing the ball, and nobody else can get to the bag.

Who covers second base on a pop-up behind first base?

The shortstop, because the second baseman is making the catch.

Do runners change who catches a pop-up behind first base?

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. 2B

   Second baseman

   Catches it · Every second baseman play

   Go get it. The moment you know it is yours, call it early 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. 1B

   First baseman

   Chases, then peels off · Every first baseman 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 the second baseman or 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.

3. RF

   Right fielder

   Chases, then peels off · Every right 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 infielder calls it, answer him and peel off without stopping or turning around. Bend away from his line and finish beside the catch as his backup in case it gets away.

4. P

   Pitcher

   Covers first · Every pitcher play

   Not your ball. Get to first base, since nobody else can and be on the bag for a tag-up or a throw. Stay there until the ball is back in the infield.

5. SS

   Shortstop

   Covers second · Every shortstop 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. CF

   Center fielder

   Behind second for a throw · Every center 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.

9. LF

   Left fielder

   Comes in a few steps · Every left fielder play

   Not your ball. Come in a few steps toward the infield and be ready to back up a throw.

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.Run straight under it and wait for it to come down
   3. C.Set up on the backstop side and come in as it falls
   4. D.Throw your mask off first, then turn around and find the ball
   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