Need Clarification...Who covers 2nd?

[Seventy7Pop]

Less than 2 outs, runner on 1st, batter is a lefty slapper, batter hits the ball to the 3rd baseman who throws it to 2nd base to get the lead runner. Who covers the throw to 2nd base, shortstop or 2nd baseman? A few high school parents are confused. Thanks!

[AlwaysImprove]

Less than 2 outs, runner on 1st, batter is a lefty slapper, batter hits the ball to the 3rd baseman who throws it to 2nd base to get the lead runner. Who covers the throw to 2nd base, shortstop or 2nd baseman? A few high school parents are confused. Thanks!

Sharp hit or bunt.

Bunt, no question, F6 is the only free hand available to cover 2b. F3, F5 and F1 have crashed the bunt, F4 covers first base.

Sharply hit ball, it still makes most sense to have F6 cover 2b. I guess if F6 is the coaches kid and stinks, and F4 is a super stud, you may want to try and have her take 2b. Even then hard to justify F4 covering 2b in this scenario.

[Seventy7Pop]

It was a one bounce (slap) hit straight to 3rd baseman. The 2nd baseman was up to cover the possible bunt or slap.

[Trophy Hunter]

It was a one bounce (slap) hit straight to 3rd baseman. The 2nd baseman was up to cover the possible bunt or slap.

If the 2b is up, the SS pretty much has to cover 2nd. Or the CF, is she's really really really fast!

But why would the 2b be up?

[DunninLA]

^^ I think he means F4 is playing close enough to 1st base to be able to get there for the throw from whoever fields the bunted ball. (which, parenthetically, is why F4 in Fastpitch doesn't play nearly as close to 2nd, or deep, as F4 in baseball. But that doesn't really matter. F4 has to take the throw at 1st. F1, unlike baseball, cannot get there in time. F6 is the only player left to get to 2nd base...either fields the slap herself and runs over to hit the bag, or doesn't field the bunted or hit ball and gets to 2nd base to take the throw for the force on the lead runner.

[Seventy7Pop]

^^ I think he means F4 is playing close enough to 1st base to be able to get there for the throw from whoever fields the bunted ball. (which, parenthetically, is why F4 in Fastpitch doesn't play nearly as close to 2nd, or deep, as F4 in baseball. But that doesn't really matter. F4 has to take the throw at 1st. F1, unlike baseball, cannot get there in time. F6 is the only player left to get to 2nd base...either fields the slap herself and runs over to hit the bag, or doesn't field the bunted or hit ball and gets to 2nd base to take the throw for the force on the lead runner.

Yes, that's exactly what I meant.

[TooOldToCare]

If the batter was a lefty slapper, wouldn't F6 been playing up and in the 5/6 hole? If so, how could they cover 2b? Better be as fast as that CF! If F4 was set to cover 1b, better get the out there! However there is a better defensive alignment for that situation.

[GIMNEPIWO]

If the batter was a lefty slapper, wouldn't F6 been playing up and in the 5/6 hole? If so, how could they cover 2b? Better be as fast as that CF! If F4 was set to cover 1b, better get the out there! However there is a better defensive alignment for that situation.

I have F5 cover the F 1/5/6 hole ... On this play in the OP, F6 would cover 2nd because I have F4 up in a modified F1-3-4 hole ... However, if the ball was hit past F5 to F6 we hope it is caught in the air ... if not we are either screwed or hope F8 wasn't snoozing ...

[Trophy Hunter]

If the batter was a lefty slapper, wouldn't F6 been playing up and in the 5/6 hole? If so, how could they cover 2b? Better be as fast as that CF! If F4 was set to cover 1b, better get the out there! However there is a better defensive alignment for that situation.

I have F5 cover the F 1/5/6 hole ... On this play in the OP, F6 would cover 2nd because I have F4 up in a modified F1-3-4 hole ... However, if the ball was hit past F5 to F6 we hope it is caught in the air ... if not we are either screwed or hope F8 wasn't snoozing ...

Why this? I've seen travel teams do this, but haven't seen colleges do it. What is the reasoning / objective of pulling F4 up?

[GIMNEPIWO]

If the batter was a lefty slapper, wouldn't F6 been playing up and in the 5/6 hole? If so, how could they cover 2b? Better be as fast as that CF! If F4 was set to cover 1b, better get the out there! However there is a better defensive alignment for that situation.

I have F5 cover the F 1/5/6 hole ... On this play in the OP, F6 would cover 2nd because I have F4 up in a modified F1-3-4 hole ... However, if the ball was hit past F5 to F6 we hope it is caught in the air ... if not we are either screwed or hope F8 wasn't snoozing ...

Why this? I've seen travel teams do this, but haven't seen colleges do it. What is the reasoning / objective of pulling F4 up?

I have found that this configuration stops a lot of base hits at the younger ages ... JV and less advanced Varsity teams ... A good slapper or power slapper would make it look like a dumb idea ... On the 23U team we do no such thing ... PM me if you'd like the complete configuration ...