Chapter 16. Tactical Baseball Defense

Now we come to some of the more complicated baseball defense decisions-what to do before the pitch when the bases are loaded, runners on 1st and 3rd, etc. Here again, the baseball defense has to decide, in advance, what it is going to do. A situation-by-situation explanation may help your understanding of this problem.

The infield, first of all, can play at three depths-all the way back, which is as far back as it can go to make the average put-out at 1st on a ground ball; all the way "up", which is as far as it dare go to handle a hot smash and throw a runner out at the plate; "half-way," which is just between the two extremes.

Each depth presents certain advantages and disadvantages. When the infield is back, it doesn't have much of a chance to throw a runner out at the plate on a ground ball, if the ball is hit slowly, or bunted. But, it has more range to left or right and, of course, has a better chance to get die lead runner in a double play if the ball is hit hard. So, the infield has to decide, beforehand, which way it wants to go on a ground ball-to the plate, to 2nd, or to 1st. It adjusts accordingly.

In late innings, with the bases loaded and none out and the winning run on 3rd, the infield should be up tight. With one out-unless it's the last inning-the left side of the in field can be up for the left hand hitter, the right side back. Vice versa for a right hand hitter.

If the Home team were at bat, the infield might play up until one were out, then play back for the double play.

If the bases are loaded in the first inning, both teams would play back for the DP, conceding a run to the other team.

Depth of Outfield

The outfield, too, adjusts to the situation. With less than two out and the bases empty, the outfield plays at normal depth. With runners on, it might play a few steps closer to the plate to get a better chance to throw out the runner on a base hit, or hold a runner where he is on a fly ball. With two out, the outfield plays a little deeper than normal to cut down the potential of the "long ball". A single with two out, doesn't pose as much of a threat as a. double or triple.

When the score is tied in the bottom of the ninth with less than two out, and the winning run on 3rd, both outfield and infield play "in". The baseball defense has but one chance to stay "alive"-keep the run on 3rd, or if the runner breaks for home, throw him out at the plate. After the first two put-outs, the infield can go back to normal depth, but the out-field should still play shallow-close enough to choke off a long single, and deep enough to catch up with the average fly ball.

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