Backing up bases and throws

Setup

1. Full defence in position, with the catcher in full gear.
2. A batter-runner in a helmet waits beside home plate, clear of the coach's swing.
3. The coach hits balls from beside home plate and calls the situation before each one (e.g. 'Nobody on').

How it runs

1. Walk-through first: the coach names a play (ground ball to the SS, nobody on) and every player walks to their spot. Freeze, check, adjust.
2. Then live: the coach hits the ball, the batter-runner runs and everyone moves. On a ground ball to the infield, the catcher runs down the foul side of the first-base line and the right fielder comes in behind first.
3. Now and then the coach tells the first baser to let a throw go by, so the back-ups get a real ball to stop.
4. Next plays: the catcher throws to second on a steal (CF backs up second); a single to left with a throw to second (SS covers, 2B backs up); a throw to third (pitcher or LF backs up third).
5. Rotate positions every five balls so everyone learns several back-up jobs.

Coaching points

• Every player moves on every ball. Nobody stands and watches.
• Back up in line with the throw, not with the base: stand where the ball would go if it got past.
• Get deep: about 6–10 metres behind the base, so you can react to a deflection.
• Arrive early and stop, low and ready, rather than still running when the ball arrives.
• Catcher: on infield ground balls with nobody on, run down the line in foul territory to back up first; take off the mask only if it slows you.
• Stay out of the runner's path while backing up, especially near first base.

Common mistakes

• Backing up too close to the base, so the overthrow goes past both players.
• Lining up with the base instead of the throw.
• Outfielders jogging or standing still on infield ground balls.
• Pitcher staying in the circle and watching the play.
• Back-up player running through the base path and colliding with the runner.