In the Moment, Part I
Your team pulled ahead 6 to 5 and is now in the field. It’s the last inning of the game. The first batter got on with a looping hit to center. He is a fast runner. Stealing second base is an immediate threat.
As the shortstop, you’ve called, “0 outs; Look 2!” to your team and, “I’ve got the base,” to your second baseman. Calling the outs is a matter of habit. Every player on your team takes a moment in their mind to run down the scenario so they know what they should be doing and where they should be depending on what happens next. Communicating with your double play partner is habit too. You’ve told him that if the runner attempts to steal, you’re going to cover the 2nd base bag on a throw from your catcher.
Your second baseman hears you. He runs a few scenes in his head, loading up the thoughts in his mind quickly because he’s imagined them in detail many times before:
Scene 1: A hard ground ball to my right, focus on the ball and field it cleanly. If I’m a step or two from the bag, I step to tag 2nd and turn to throw to first. If I’m a bit further, I use my momentum to underhand the ball to my shortstop—aiming chest high so he can catch it and be ready to throw to first as quickly as possible.
Scene 2: The batter squares and bunts down the first base line. I’m quick and run hard to cover first base as the first baseman charges toward home to field the bunt.
Scene 3: A moderately hard hit ground ball to my left. I’m moving to field the ball while aware of my first baseman’s presence. If he’s going for the ball, he’s probably going to field it and try to throw to second base. I need to be ready to receive the throw at the first base bag. Or, if my first baseman doesn’t throw to second, I still need to be there covering the first base bag! If he turns to go back to first, I need to field the ball and probably won’t have a play at second—get the out at 1st!
Scene 4: On a ground ball to the right side of the infield, I’m covering second and readying myself to receive the throw and turn to throw to first base.
Scene 5: On a ball hit to the outfield behind me, I’m the cutoff man.
Scene 6: On a ball hit to the outfield behind the shortstop, I’m covering second base.
Turns out, your pitcher throws a change-up and the right-handed hitter knocks a groundball between the shortstop (you) and your third baseman. As shortstop, you dart to your right to field the ball. As you do, you realize you’ll be unlikely to turn and throw to second base in time for the force play.
Your third baseman takes a sharper line toward fielding the same ball, ready to throw to the second baseman covering second base. You are happy to see your third baseman cut in front of you to get the ball as he fields it and looks toward second base. You immediately start moving toward third base to cover in case the runner who is currently running toward second is able to round the base and attempt to advance. As your third baseman fields the ball and looks at second, he judges that the runner is too close to be sure he can make the out, so he sets his back foot and fires a strike to the first baseman. 1 out, man on second.
If you’re at a level where runners can take a lead, you’ve got a way to signal to your pitcher if a pickoff attempt at second base is a good idea. Your second baseman moves to cover the bag to field a pickoff attempt, but backs off. He’s just a decoy.
Meanwhile, your center fielder continues monitoring the situation, knowing that he’s the back up on any throw to second base. On an overthrow by the pitcher, he wants to be in position to ensure he can prevent the runner from advancing to third or, if he tries, ready to throw him out.
Your pitcher looks back, holds a gaze on the runner, looks home, looks back again, and then motions toward the plate and throws a strike. Count on the batter is 0-1.
TO BE CONTINUED…