First and Third Defense for Youth Baseball: Stop Running Six Plays

Some teams run six different first-and-third plays. Those rarely work, and they confuse your own players. Name one priority before the pitch, then execute.

Choosing the priority

• Close game: the runner on third. Let the runner from first take second. Make the runner on third score on a hit.
• Big lead, a team hitting hard, a slow runner at first: you might throw through and trade the run for the out.

Priority: runner on third

The catcher picks him off if he gets too big, pump-fakes to second, or just holds the ball. Holding it is fine. Middle infielders play the hitter.

Priority: runner on first

Throw through to second and get the out. The third baseman still plays the hitter.

The early break

• Priority on third: don't chase. Hold the ball. If he walks into second, we can live with that.
• Priority on first: get him in a rundown and make the play.