How the play works
A pop-up behind second base, drifting to the right side, brings the shortstop, the second baseman and the center fielder together. The center fielder is coming in on the ball while both middle infielders are running away from the plate, so it is his. With both middle infielders chasing, the pitcher covers second.
Key questions
- Who catches a pop-up to shallow center on the right side?
- The center fielder. An outfielder who can make the catch without diving takes it over an infielder, and he is coming in on the ball while the middle infielders are going out.
- What do the shortstop and second baseman do on a pop-up to shallow center on the right side?
- Both go hard and call early in case it is theirs. When the center fielder calls them off, they peel off and finish beside the catch as his backups.
- Who covers second base on a pop-up to shallow center on the right side?
- The pitcher. Both middle infielders are chasing the ball, so nobody else can get to the bag.
- Who backs up the center fielder on a pop-up to shallow center on the right side?
- The right fielder, behind the catch on the line of the ball. The left fielder moves in behind second base for a throw in.
- How do fielders avoid a collision on a pop-up to shallow center on the right side?
- Everyone runs for it until a call changes his path. Infielders call early, outfielders and infielders use different calls, and the player who gives way says so out loud.
- Do runners change who catches a pop-up to shallow center on the right side?
- 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.
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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.
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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.
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Second baseman
Chases, then peels off · Every second 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 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.
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Pitcher
Covers second · Every pitcher play
Not your ball. Get to second 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.
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Right fielder
Backs up the catch · Every right fielder play
Not your ball. Get behind the man making the catch, on the line of the ball, in case it gets past him. If it gets by him, it is yours: get it back in quickly.
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Left fielder
Behind second for a throw · Every left 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Coaching points
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The player who gives way says so out loud. Silence is never a signal.
- 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.
Pop-up near home plate. Which way will it drift?
- A.Back toward the infield — more the higher it goes
- B.Back toward the backstop — more the higher it goes
- C.Straight down — pop-ups don’t drift
- 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.
Where do you set up under a pop-up near home?
- A.Find it, get in front of it, leave 10–15 feet for the drift
- B.Set up on the backstop side and come in as it falls
- C.Throw your mask off first, then turn around and find the ball
- 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.
A pitch on the right side of the plate gets fouled off. Which way does it usually go?
- A.To the right
- B.To the left
- 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