Pop-up behind third base

How the play works

A pop-up into shallow left, over the third baseman, brings three fielders together: the left fielder, the shortstop and the third baseman. The shortstop has priority over the other infielders, and the left fielder would have to dive for a ball the shortstop catches standing up, so it is the shortstop's. With the third baseman chasing, the pitcher covers third.

Key questions

Who catches a pop-up behind third base?

The shortstop. He has priority over the third baseman, and he gets there standing up while the left fielder would have to dive.

Why does the shortstop take a pop-up behind third over the third baseman?

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

Why doesn't the left fielder catch a pop-up behind third 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 third base on a pop-up behind third?

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

What do the third baseman and left fielder do on a pop-up behind third?

They run for it as if it is theirs until the shortstop calls it, then peel off and finish beside the catch as his backup.

Do runners change who catches a pop-up behind third 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. SS

   Shortstop

   Catches it · Every shortstop 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. 3B

   Third baseman

   Chases, then peels off · Every third 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 shortstop 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. LF

   Left fielder

   Chases, then peels off · 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 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 third · Every pitcher play

   Not your ball. Get to third 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. 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. 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. RF

   Right fielder

   Comes in a few steps · Every right 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 among infielders: who has priority?

   1. A.The third baseman
   2. B.The second baseman
   3. C.The shortstop
   4. D.The pitcher
   Show the answerHide the answer

   C. The shortstop.

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

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

   C. Back toward the infield — more the higher it goes. Back toward the infield — the higher it goes, the more it drifts.

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

4. 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

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