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BravaraSoftball Playmaker

Extra-base hit to the right center gap: bases empty

A ball gets deep into the gap. Build the relay toward third and keep the advancing runners in view.

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Bases empty1 out
Extra-base hit to the right center gap: bases empty: Read the situationOne out. Bases empty. Know your responsibility before contact. All nine defensive positions are shown. Yellow shows the ball; coral squares show runners.BPC1B2BSS3BLFCFRF
Defense Runner / batter Ball

Read the situation

One out. Bases empty. Know your responsibility before contact.

Follow a position

The team’s job

Hold the batter to a double and be ready for a play at third.

One defined rotation for nine-player fastpitch. Follow your coach’s calls when your team uses a different system.

Why this rotation works

The second baseman leads this relay. The other middle infielder trails and communicates. The first baseman follows the batter after checking the touch at first.

The goal

Hold the batter to a double and be ready for a play at third.

Watch for these mistakes

  • Both middle infielders standing side by side instead of forming a relay.
  • The relay receiving without knowing the next target.
  • The pitcher watching from the circle instead of backing up the destination.

Walk it through at practice

Set the runners and call the situation before contact. Have each defender name their job, then walk through the rotation together. Repeat with the ball live and stop at the receiving position to check the cutoff, coverage, and backup.

All nine responsibilities

Position responsibilities for Extra-base hit to the right center gap: bases empty
PitcherBack up the throw to third. You’re the first backup, in foul ground behind the bag.
CatcherCover home plate.
First baseCheck the batter’s touch at first, then follow toward second and cover it as the middle infielders relay.
Second baseLine up CF with third base. Receive the first relay and listen to SS.
ShortstopTrail 2B toward the receiving base with space between you. Repeat the third baseman’s call to 2B and handle a missed relay.
Third baseCover third base. Call the destination and direct the relay.
Left fieldBe the second backup at third: go deeper than the pitcher, on the line of the throw from the right side. Adjust to a redirected relay.
Center fieldChase the ball over your head, secure it off the ground, and send the first relay to 2B.
Right fieldBack up the center fielder behind the ball in the right-center gap.

Keep learning

Extra-base hit down the left field line: bases empty: Finish the playReceive the throw at third base; stay ready if it gets away. All nine defensive positions are shown. Yellow shows the ball; coral squares show runners.BPC1B2BSS3BLFCFRFExtra-base hit down the left field line: bases emptyView the rotationExtra-base hit down the left field line: runner on first: Finish the playReceive the throw at home; stay ready if it gets away. All nine defensive positions are shown. Yellow shows the ball; coral squares show runners.BRPC1B2BSS3BLFCFRFExtra-base hit down the left field line: runner on firstView the rotationExtra-base hit to the left center gap: bases empty: Finish the playReceive the throw at third base; stay ready if it gets away. All nine defensive positions are shown. Yellow shows the ball; coral squares show runners.BPC1B2BSS3BLFCFRFExtra-base hit to the left center gap: bases emptyView the rotation
Softball Playmaker Nine-player fastpitch

Extra-base hit to the right center gap: bases empty

Hold the batter to a double and be ready for a play at third.

Extra-base hit to the right center gap: bases empty: Finish the playReceive the throw at third base; stay ready if it gets away. All nine defensive positions are shown. Yellow shows the ball; coral squares show runners.BPC1B2BSS3BLFCFRF

Bases empty. 1 out. Positions shown at the finish. Yellow shows the ball. Coral squares show runners.

How it works

  1. Read the situation. One out. Bases empty. Know your responsibility before contact.
  2. Chase the deep hit. The ball clears CF and lands in the outfield. Chase it down while the relay gets into position.
  3. Get in position. 2B provides the cutoff; the other positions cover and back up.
  4. Finish the play. Receive the throw at third base; stay ready if it gets away.

Every position has a job

P · Pitcher

Back up the throw to third. You’re the first backup, in foul ground behind the bag.

C · Catcher

Cover home plate.

1B · First base

Check the batter’s touch at first, then follow toward second and cover it as the middle infielders relay.

2B · Second base

Line up CF with third base. Receive the first relay and listen to SS.

SS · Shortstop

Trail 2B toward the receiving base with space between you. Repeat the third baseman’s call to 2B and handle a missed relay.

3B · Third base

Cover third base. Call the destination and direct the relay.

LF · Left field

Be the second backup at third: go deeper than the pitcher, on the line of the throw from the right side. Adjust to a redirected relay.

CF · Center field

Chase the ball over your head, secure it off the ground, and send the first relay to 2B.

RF · Right field

Back up the center fielder behind the ball in the right-center gap.

Bravara standard defense. Adapt to your coach’s coverage calls. Diagrams illustrate responsibilities and are not to scale.

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