Got All The Bases Covered ...often stated, rarely practiced
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The expression, ‘got all the bases covered’ is commonly used in our culture. This is a metaphor derived from baseball, but when you hear it today it is usually in reference to the planning or preparation of an activity. All aspects of the activity have been considered; we are all set, there will be no problems. However, there is one part of our culture where the literal translation of the expression is routinely missed …on the youth baseball field!!
Gosh folks, we are involved with a game from which this well-known expression was borrowed, but we fail to make it happen where the expression was born. One of the most common mistakes made in youth baseball and softball, is players not covering a base or covering the wrong base.
The Wanderer
Our club is on defense, a ball is hit to centerfield and a runner is attempting to take third base. The outfielder or shortstop is ready to throw the ball to third, but nobody is at the bag to take a throw. It turns out our third baseman has wandered 20 feet away from the base to get a better look at the outfielders chasing the ball.
When the third baseman recognizes he is needed at the base to take a throw, it is too late. The result is a confused semi-back pedal toward the base, eyes darting from the player with the ball, to the runner, to the base, and back to the player with the ball. Given that the third baseman is somewhat in the vicinity of the base the player with the ball hurls it in, hoping that somehow an out can be made. In the end the runner is safe, the throw gets past the base, rolls up against the dugout fence and the runner continues on to score.
Two Peas in a Pod
The opposition has a runner on first base; the ball is put into play somewhere other than to the second baseman or shortstop. Lickety-split, both of those players run to second, anchor a foot on the base, extend their gloves, and battle to gain position to take a throw. Their unfortunate teammate with the ball sees a blur of bodies, which includes the base runner, and is pressed to make a decision to hold the ball or chuck it on a wing and a prayer that someone might catch it.
But I Am Here to Catch Pitches
The ball is hit to shallow left field. As it is being fielded, the runner is just about to touch third base. The third base coach, knowing the kid out there has a weak arm, decides to send the runner home. Our weak-armed left fielder makes the throw of his life; it’s right on target and arrives ahead of the runner. We are going to get him out!!
But the catcher is standing behind home plate, where he positions himself when catching pitches. He grabs the ball and lunges towards the plate to tag the runner.
”SAFE!” hollers the umpire.
We would have had the runner easy if the catcher would have been in proper position, covering the base - standing in front of the plate.
Not only would be have gotten the out and prevented a run, but our sweet little left fielder, not much of an athlete, would have been the HERO. Perhaps only for that moment or for that day. But for that un-athletic kid, who likely will have a brief sports career before he moves on to activities better suited for his talents, it would have provided him a memory that would last a lifetime …that day back in Little League when he threw the runner out at home.
Why Do These Mistakes Occur Over and Over?
In pursuit of having our team prepared for the season, we go straight to working on ground balls, fly balls, pitching and batting. We fail to make time to train and drill our players on How to Play the Game. So, what to do? How do we train our players so that come game time we avoid situations where a base is left uncovered? Or have a base (usually second) that is covered by two players?
First, we need to address the mindset and perspective of the players. Next, we need drills that help them learn and develop habits to fulfill their base coverage responsibilities.
Mindset
“Know what you are going to do if the ball is hit to you” - This phrase has been used for generations and is well intended. Baseball and softball are thinking games, and once the ball is put into play, they are games that move at lightning speed. And it IS important for a player to be prepared when the ball is hit to them. The problem in this statement is that we are forgetting the other eight players. How much time do we spend teaching our players ‘what to do when the ball is not hit to them’?
‘Baseball is a Game of Movement’ - we talked about players going to the wrong spot on the field when they do not have the ball (shortstop and second baseman both covering second base). However, some players do not move at all. If the ball is not hit in their vicinity, many young players just stand and watch. It is important, early in the season (maybe in the first five minutes of the first practice) that we inform our players that ‘Baseball is a Game of Movement’. The moment the ball is put into play, all nine players have a responsibility (Ball, Base or Back-up), and to fulfill that responsibility they need to move. Then we need to reinforce this fact constantly during each practice and game throughout the season.
The Drill
The Infield Base Coverage Drill (diagrams below) is very elementary, easy to set up and only takes a few minutes to run. We work using a ‘Mini Diamond’, which consists of bases laid out in a 20’ square. The outfield is a good place to set up a Mini Diamond (we can have a group of players working in this drill, while another group is in the infield that can make better use of that space. We put four infielders at their positions and a catcher behind home plate, then roll a ball to one infielder. The crux of the drill is the other three infielders learn to execute ‘what to do when the ball is not hit to them’ - cover a base.
Note: While this is a simple drill, it will not be until day three or four that it starts to run fluidly. This, and any drill, is not going to run smoothly the first time. Day One a drill is introduced. The players get a vague idea of what they are supposed to do. Day Two the kids have some recognition of what is going on and we get in a few semi-decent reps. On Day Three the kids are familiar with the drill and we begin to get something of value accomplished. In most cases, it is not until the team has had three days of exposure that we can go into a drill or activity with significant expectations for execution and being productive.
Having realistic expectations of how a drill is going to run is particularly important for a youth coach to keep their blood pressure at a safe level. [:o
Before looking at the drill diagrams and explanations, let’s identify the tools we will use to teach our players.
Teaching Phrase: “If you don’t the ball, cover a base” – Its one or the other.
Concept: ‘Four minus one equals three’ - There are Four infielders. One infielder gets the ball, the other Three cover a base.
Rules:
The third baseman and the first baseman have one base; the shortstop and second baseman have two bases
Each of the middle infielders (SS and 2b) has a base on their left, and a base on their right.
—-> If the ball is hit to their left, and they don’t get the ball, they cover the base on their left.
—-> If the ball is hit to their right, and they don’t get the ball, they cover the base on their right.
Later we will address the responsibilities of the pitcher and outfielders, and expand deeper into movement responsibilities, for all nine positions, in a variety of situations.
Move Towards the Ball
Concept/Teaching Phrase: Move Towards the ball’ - this applies to the shortstop and second baseman. The idea of moving towards the ball (players at these two positions never run away from the ball) gets them started in the direction of the base they are responsible to cover, if they don’t get the ball. (Later we will apply this concept to the pitcher regarding their movement responsibilities. The three players in the middle of the field always move towards the ball)
The Infield Base Coverage Drill, when run consistently over the course of the season, only requires a few minutes. It can easily be incorporated into any practice. The best time to run the drill is during the ‘Skill Building Warm-up’ portion of practice. It can also be incorporated into a team’s Pre-Game Practice Routine.
By making this simple drill part of our on-going training routine, come game day, we truly will Have All Our Bases Covered.
