When a runner is on 1st and a batter hits a single to right field the defensive unit swings to the positions diagrammed in Fig. 42. The centerfielder naturally moves to his left to help the right fielder either by backing up, or by calling the play. The left fielder moves in, […]

When a baseball team is in the field, it must function as a unit to properly defend against the team at bat. When the ball is hit, every player on the defense has an assignment-a place to go, a maneuver to execute. The fielders, of course, try to anticipate plays in […]

The Manager, and no one else, decides whether the team will bunt, hit-and-run, steal, etc. Usually stationed at the 3rd base coaching line (or on the bench), he uses either voice or body signals to tell batter and base runner what the play will be. Whether a player is experienced, or […]

A base runner can travel the 90 feet between bases in about three to four seconds. A ball can be thrown that same distance in less than one second. It is obvious then that any boy who wants to steal a base has his work cut out for him. Let’s assume you […]

The youngster learning to play baseball needs more instruction about conduct on the bases than one might suspect. Most are not aware of the fact that there are basic principles that can be applied to base running. The base runner who flounders-makes a false start, back-pedals, starts again, then stops-usually does […]

A ball club’s outfield has three major assignments when in the field: Take a base hit away from a batter whenever possible. (Catch the fly ball). Cut down the length of base hits. (Hustle and work together to hold the batter and/or runners to the minimum number of […]

The boy who plays 3rd base need not be as fast a runner as the second baseman or shortstop, but he cannot have lead in his feet or slow hands and do a good job at that spot. Furthermore, he needs a strong and accurate arm and he wants to be as […]

The shortstop, a combination of infielder and outfielder, is normally the best all-around infielder on the club. To do his job well, he needs good hands, a powerful arm and sprinter’s legs. Like the second baseman, he has to be agile and quick. And he has to know how to make the […]

The second baseman has to be the most agile, acrobatic individual on the ball club. No other player, in carrying out his assignment, need shift direction as sharply, quickly and as many times as the second sacker. It’s “Jack be nimble, Jack be quick” every moment. Our second sacker is the […]

On a ball hit to any infielder, the first baseman hustles quickly to the bag to establish himself as a target. He wants to catch the ball as soon as possible and, simultaneously, tag the base for the put-out. He will be knocked down by the runner, however, if he stands on […]