Rawlings Elite
Playbook – Defensive Situations

  1. Double Steal Defense – Runners at First and Third
  2. Throw Through
  3. Second Base Cut
  4. Catcher Fake
  5. Throw To Shortstop

First Third ~ Double Steal Defense

The first, third double steal is one of the most exciting plays in baseball.

As soon as the runner breaks from first base, an amazing sequence of events begin to unfold.

The outcome of the play will be determined by the speed and confidence with which each team goes about it's skills.

A much simpler play for the offense to execute, the defense must be near perfect to neutralize what the offense is attempting to do.

Let's look inside this situation and see what it takes defensively, to shut it down.

A Look Inside The Offensive Thought Process For This Play

The reasons for using the double steal vary as the game situation changes.

What they can accomplish:

  • Score the runner from 3B, on the catcher's throw to 2B.
  • Steal 2B, putting a second runner in scoring position.
  • Take away the double play by swiping 2B.
  • Demoralize the defense, by scoring one, or two runs, without ever putting the ball in play.

What Does The Defense Need To Prepare For?

A list of what the offense can send your way:

  • Straight steal of second, runner on third holds or runs.
  • Delayed steal of second, runner on third holds or runs.
  • Runner on first gets a jump and goes, stopping short of 2B to create a rundown situation, attempting to score the runner from 3B.
  • Extended lead to draw a pickoff throw, then runner goes hard to second. Runner on third attempts to score on the long throw from the first baseman to the shortstop.
  • Runner at first base breaks early, hoping to create a balk. If the pitcher steps off and runs at him, he tries to get the pitcher to throw to the shortstop, as the runner on third tries to score on that throw.
  • Both runners break simultaneously as the ball touches leather on the pitcher's stretch. Run most often against left handed pitchers.

We Know What The Offense Can Do ~ How Does The Defense Stop Them?

The secrets to defending this situation are decisiveness and confidence.

Confidence is achieved from having an organized plan to handle all the possibilities within this situation that may arise.

Acting decisively is a by-product of quality repetitions in practice, against those very same possibilities.

When the offense runs it in a game, the repetitions taken in practice will allow the players to act quickly and decisively to neutralize the threat.

First And Third Double Steal Tips ~ From the Dugout

  • Create the mind-set in the players that they are getting an out somewhere.
  • Be aggressive, it neutralizes the offense's advantage.
  • Communication between players is essential, to include those in the dugout. When they see the runner or runners break, they should be yelling "runner".
  • The 3B needs to yell if the runner from third breaks, it helps alert the cutoff to make the cut.
  • Any runner caught up between bases needs to be forced to move somewhere, immediately. The longer that runner can hold the defense's attention, the better chance there is a defensive mistake will occur.
  • Pitchers, if the runner from 1B goes early, step back and check the runner at 3B, turn and get the ball to the shortstop quickly. The SS can work the rundown and see the runner at 3B at the same time.
  • As the catcher comes up to throw, he always needs to turn his head and look at the runner at 3B. It is all one continuous motion as he continues on with his throw to 2B. Failure to look provides the runner at third with a key to leave early, a jump that cannot be overcome even with two strong arms on defense.

First Third ~ Throw Through Defense

In this play, the defense is committed to getting the out at 2B, there is no cutoff or fake, just straight to 2B.

  • P: Deliver pitch.
  • C: Look at 3B runner to freeze him, as you throw to 2B.
  • 1B: Hold runner on
  • 2B: Cover base or backup base, dependent upon right or left hand hitter.
  • SS: Cover base or backup base, dependent upon right or left hand hitter.
  • 3B: Cover 3B.
  • LF: Backup 3B.
  • CF: Backup 2B.
  • RF: Backup 1B.

If the runner from 3B is too far down the line, or already running before the catcher looks, the 3B should throw his hands up in the air and yell so that the catcher can throw to third immediately.

First Third ~ Second Base Cut Defense

In this play, the defense is providing itself the ability to cut the catcher's throw and get the out at home, or let it go through.

  • P: Deliver pitch.
  • C: Looks at 3B runner to freeze as he throws to 2B.
  • 1B: Hold runner on.
  • 2B: Come in front of base on grass cut, if runner from 3B goes, cut ball off and throw to home.
  • SS: Cover 2B.
  • 3B: Cover 3B. If runner goes, yell "runner" to alert the infield.
  • LF: Backup 3B.
  • CF: Backup 2B.
  • RF: Backup 1B.

-If the throw from the catcher is high or low, the 2B should let it go through and try for the out at second.

-Catcher must freeze runner at 3B with a look to give the 2B a chance.

-2B may need to cheat a step or two towards the second base bag, so that he gets to the cutoff position on time.

-The goal is to get there and be moving towards home plate and into the throw, not diagonally across.

-The SS must be in a good athletic position and be ready to make a tag on this play. If he is standing upright, most balls will end up in center field.

First Third ~ Catcher Fake Defense

In this play, the defense is looking to take advantage of an overly aggressive runner at 3B.

  • P: Deliver pitch, come to home plate in case of a rundown.
  • C: Good arm action to 2B, reset and throw to third.
  • 1B: Hold runner on, then come down to home plate and backup pitcher.
  • 2B: Cover 2B.
  • SS: Cover 3B.
  • 3B: Catch throw and make tag, or set up for rundown.
  • LF: Backup 3B.
  • CF: Backup 2B.
  • RF: Backup 2B.

Catcher doesn't look at runner on 3B, good arm action to second base, then resets to throw to third base, or start a rundown if the runner had been running.

First Third ~ Throw To Shortstop Defense

In this play, the defense is looking to take advantage of an overly aggressive runner at 3B.

  • P: Deliver pitch, backup home plate.
  • C: Catch pitch, throw to shortstop coming in to grass.
  • 1B: Hold runner on, wait and see if a rundown develops, if so backup home plate.
  • 2B: Cover second base.
  • SS: Run straight at catcher, catch ball and throw home if runner is going. If not, fake or deke the throw, whirl and see if you can pick runner at 2B.
  • 3B: Cover 3B, yell "runner" if he goes.
  • LF: Backup shortstop.
  • CF: Backup shortstop.
  • RF: Backup 2B.

Shortstops, it helps to cheat in a step or two when this play is on. Look for that back door pick at second base if there is no play at home. A good fake of throwing home will often result in a big turn at second by the runner.