Pop-up priority in the infield

Setup

1. Infield in position: P, C (in full gear, mask off to field pop-ups), 1B, 2B, SS and 3B.
2. The coach stands beside home plate with a bucket and hits or throws high pop-ups. Throwing by hand is fine for younger groups.
3. Agree the priority order before starting: SS and 2B over the corners; corners over the pitcher and catcher; anyone over the pitcher. The catcher takes foul pops behind and near home.

How it runs

1. The coach hits a pop-up between two or three infielders.
2. Everyone near it goes for the ball. The player who will catch it calls 'Ball! Ball! Ball!' early; the others answer 'Take it!' and move away to give room.
3. If two players call, the one higher in the priority order keeps calling and the other gives way.
4. The catcher throws it back to the coach. Next pop goes somewhere new: foul behind first, between the pitcher and catcher, over the SS's head.
5. Every few balls, the coach puts runners on first and second with fewer than two outs and asks the fielders to call 'Infield fly!' when it applies.

Coaching points

• Call at the top of the flight, loudly, three times.
• Middle infielders (SS and 2B) have priority over corners: they are moving across the ball, not backwards.
• Pitcher rarely catches pop-ups; the pitcher points at the ball and helps call the name of who should take it.
• Catcher: turn your back to the infield on pops behind home; the ball curves back towards the field. Take the mask off and toss it away from the ball.
• Infield fly: with runners on first and second (or bases loaded) and fewer than two outs, an easy infield pop is called. The batter is out; runners may stay or advance at their own risk. Check your competition's rules.
• Give way properly: peel off and back up, don't stop dead next to the caller.

Common mistakes

• Calling late or quietly, so two players collide.
• Both players calling and both pulling out.
• Catcher facing the field on a foul pop and misjudging the backspin.
• Pitcher drifting under every pop and getting in the way.
• Runners on base running hard on an infield fly when they should hold.