In baseball and softball, all nine fielders have defined responsibilities and need to move on every play.
Base hit to right field with a runner on first or runners on first and third, the play goes to third.
Play:
| Situation: | Runner on first or
Runners on first and third |
| Offense: | Base hit to right field |
| Defense: | Play goes to third base |
Player Responsibilities:
| Pitcher: | Back up third |
| Catcher: | Cover home |
| 1st base: | Check that the runner touches first base and cover first base |
| 2nd base: | Moves into outfield to cutoff throw to third base (see Note 2) |
| 3rd base: | Covers third base and receive the throw from cutoff man (2B) or right fielder |
| Shortstop: | Check that the runner touches second base and cover second base (see Note 2)
If the ball is hit to deep right field, then the shortstop will need to become the second (of two) cutoff men (double cut) |
| Left: | Back up third |
| Center: | Back up right field and then back up second base should the batter attempt to advance to second |
| Right: | Fields the ball and throws to third base (or cutoff, if the ball is hit deep) |
| Note: | The throw to the cutoff man only if necessary, otherwise throw directly to third base |
| Note 2: | Many professional and college teams will have the SS be the cutoff man for the throw from RF to 3B and 2B cover second. They do this since the RF has a good arm and they want the cutoff closer to the thrown at base. In youth sports, typically the RF does not have an exceptional arm and so the recommendation to use 2B as the cutoff. |
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