Single To Center Field With A Runner On Second Base: Defensive Responsibilities

This article was mainly written for high school or older kids. Some advanced little league or travel teams may be able to use this as well. It really depends on the strength of your outfielders' arms.

Baseball defensive positioning diagram for a single to center field with a runner on second base, showing fielder movements, relay assignments, and base coverage responsibilities.

On a ball hit to center field with a runner on second base every player has a job to do. This is one of the most complex plays in baseball due to all the moving pieces.

As a general concept, on a ball hit to the outfield we are thinking two bases ahead of the lead runner. With the lead runner on second we are thinking home plate.

Play Responsibilities

Position	Primary Responsibility
Pitcher	Back up home plate.
Catcher	Cover home plate.
First baseman	Align as cutoff near pitcher's mound.
Second baseman	Cover first in case play develops at first base.
Third baseman	Cover third base.
Shortstop	Cover second base.
Left fielder	Back up the center fielder based on the ball's direction.
Center fielder	Fields ball and throws directly to home plate.
Right fielder	Back up the center fielder based on the ball's direction.

Center Fielder (LF)

Call for the ball when able to make the play safely. The center fielder generally has priority over the corner outfielders.

Throw the ball directly to home plate on a line. Throw through the cut-off man so he can cut the ball off if needed.

Left & Right Fielders

Center fielder has pop up priority but if the center fielder can't get to the ball in time they should be moving for the catch or to grab the ball if missed by the center fielder.

If the center fielder calls for the ball align as a backup to get the ball on a hop or two.

Infield Positioning: Shortstop

Cover second base. Be prepared to cut the ball if needed.

If the Player Scores

If the player on second scores before the ball is thrown in, cut the ball and hold the hitter to first base.

Infield Positioning: 1st baseman

The first baseman is the cutoff man. He should be near the pitcher's mound ready to cut the ball if the command is called.

If the throw has enough and is inline with home plate you should not touch the ball.

Catcher

Cover home plate.

Your primary job is to receive the ball and keep the runner on second from scoring.

It is not a forced play so be prepared to tag the runner.

Pitcher

The pitcher is behind home plate as a backup.

The pitcher should also be ready to join in a rundown situation, if the batter is caught off the bag.

Infield Positioning: 2nd Baseman

The second baseman is covering first base and watching the runner.

Make sure the batter touches first base.

Infield Positioning: 3rd baseman

Cover third base. Watch the play develop as you may be in a rundown situation or the ball may be cut and thrown your way.

Outcomes

Outcome	What happens next
Fly ball caught	If the runner attempts to advance to third after tagging up, the center fielder can throw to third base. Third baseman must cover bag.
Ball drops safely	Runner on second may try for home. Outfielders field the ball, and the infield executes its cutoff and base-coverage assignments.
Ball rolls past the center fielder	Left or right fielder retrieves the ball, and the infield executes its cutoff and base-coverage assignments.
Throw to home is off target	Shortstop or first baseman attempts to gain control. If first baseman misses, pitcher attempts to stop the ball and prevent the runners from advancing.
Base runner gets caught between bases	Fielders communicate and execute a rundown, with other defenders covering first and second bases.

How To Teach The Play

Start by whiteboarding out the play or sharing this webpage with every member of your team.
Move into drills where every player is at their respective positions. Hit the ball to the center fielder and watch everyone move.
Coach any larger errors before moving into smaller areas of improvement.
Move into pulldowns for the outfielders.

Practice drill: Line Drive to Center Field

Practice what happens when everything goes right but also practice what happens when things go wrong. Inform a player to make a mistake.

Queitly tell the center fielder to miss the ball or tell them to make a bad throw.

Watch and coach when everything goes right and coach when everything goes wrong.

Focus on communication, the cutoff, and backup positioning.
Position all nine players on the field with a runner on second.
Hit a ball to center field and have players execute their assignments. Repeat until they get it right.
Inform a player to make a mistake (Center fielder misses the ball, bad throw to the infield, etc.) Repeat until everyone knows what to do when everything goes wrong.