Basic Field Responsibilities - Around the Horn
Mike Fout
Catcher:
Generally the team leader while on the field since they are the only player facing all the other players. The catcher will: track the count on the batter; track the number of outs; remind fielders of their position on the field; back up 1st base on every infield play; and generally spend most of the time getting up and down from the squat position. The catcher for this team receives signals for pitches from the coach and relays them to the pitcher. Once familiar with a pitcher, the catcher will be allowed to call most of his own game.
Pitcher:
Charged with delivering the ball to the plate in a manner difficult for a batter to hit. Good throwing speed is good indication of a pitcher, but accuracy is more important. They should be tough, smart, and retain their composure when faced with a challenging situation. Will be required to ‘cover’ home plate on a short pop fly or foul when there are runners on third. All pitchers will be taught methods to develop a pitching mentality. Dropping the ME attitude is the most important. Pitchers must remember that baseball was invented with 4 balls and 3 strikes- it is ok to throw a bad pitch, come back with the next one and show the batter your focus.
1st. Baseman:
The perfect place for a player who can catch the ball well. Balls will be bouncing in, flying in, on target and off target, so your primary responsibility will be to catch and/or stop the ball. Practice catching throws using a tennis ball to push your limits on moving into position on that wild throw! The first baseman is also the cutoff man on a throw from right field to home plate. Strong concentration skills will also be a necessity, as they will potentially be involved in every play.
2nd Baseman:
Size and stature are of little importance. Speed, quickness and good fielding will be the determining factors. Must be able to ‘think-ahead’ when there are base runners, i.e. "If the ball is hit to me, I will touch second base, or tag the runner, and then throw to first". Second basemen are expected to cover first base during a double play initiated on the first baseman’s side. Second basemen are the cutoff men for all balls hit to the right of second base. You will need to learn to split the difference between you and the cutoff base, and then turn and fire quickly to the base. On our team, we will move the second basemen into strategic locations depending on the batters tendencies.
Shortstop:
This player has more ground to cover than any other player does and must be fast, quick, agile and have a strong throwing arm. The shortstop will potentially field more ground balls, in more off-balance positions, than any other player. Being able to ‘think-ahead’ is required for this position as well. This position will backup the second baseman on any throws to second. The shortstop is also required to cutoff any throws that come from the outfielders to the left of second base. The “field general” for the infielders, must be able to speak loudly and take charge of infield situations You will need to learn to split the difference between you and the cutoff base, and then turn and fire quickly to the base. On our team, we will move the shortstop into strategic locations depending on the batters tendencies. The shortstop can call off any other player on an infield fly ball if he thinks he has a good angle to catch the ball. For our team, the shortstop will be required to lead the infield and pass along strategy to the fielders.
3rd. Baseman:
This player should have excellent forward and lateral speed, as most balls hit at them will be short, and/or to the players' left. They should be able to throw the ball on a dead-run and be able to field the ball barehanded. They are the furthest from first, so a strong throwing arm is required. Third baseman must always know what to do with the ball if hit to them. Keeping very alert and watching for bunts is key to handling the hard hit balls at this position.
Right Fielder:
This player should be a good ‘think-ahead’ player. This player backs up first base on all throws from the catcher and all bunted balls, since the catcher must be available for fielding the ball. They backup second on any ball thrown from the left of the diamond. I.e. shortstop, third base or foul territory. The right fielder must be quick on their feet.
Left Fielder
This position will require quick movement much like third base, balls will travel “down the line” very fast and will tail away from the left fielder. The left fielder requires good fielding and catching skills and is required to backup third on pick-off attempts from the catcher or pitcher.
Center Fielder
This will be the player that has the best combination of speed and throwing distance. Like shortstop, they cover more ‘grass’ than any other player and, most likely, will catch the most fly balls. They must backup second on all bunts and throws from the catcher. The center fielder will be required to communicate all outfield strategy during the game, things such as “move in” “move out” shift left and shift right will be communicated from the coaches to the center fielder. Take Charge out there when playing center field!
Something to remember- on defense, every player is required to be somewhere- we all back up each other, help each other stop runners from advancing!
Signals
First of all, you must all know the signals by heart, without question. If you have a question, or do not understand a signal, it is your responsibility to call timeout and get the proper instruction. After getting the signal, you must confirm by touching the brim of your hat.
Indicator- this means that the sign is on, the sign comes immediately after the indicator. If the motion after the indicator is not a sign, then there is no play on.
- Indicator is the Hat or the Face- this can change during the game, and will be communicated to you.
- Bunt is the belt, followed by the indicator again
- Steal is skin as in sleeve/arm
- Take is tap the fists
- Hit and run is a clip along the leg, much like a clipping call in football – hit and run means the runner steals and the hitter HAS to make contact with the ball, unless it is over the hitters head, or hits the dirt in front of the plate.
- Steal for Show is a bounce of the hand from the chest to the belly
- Suicide squeeze is the bottom of the shoe
- Fake Bunt is both hands tapping the belt
- Wipe off is swiping both hands across the chest, this means the sign is off.
Plays- Catcher calls the play with runners on first and third.
- Even Number- go for the put out with the throw to the appropriate fielder (based on lefty/righty at the plate) going through.
- Odd Number- Cutoff throws to the shortstop for the fake play at home.
- Red- Throw goes back hard to the pitcher
- Green- Throw is faked down and catcher looks to make play at third base
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