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BravaraSoftball Playmaker

Extra-base hit to the right center gap: runner on first

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

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Runner on first1 out
Extra-base hit to the right center gap: runner on first: Read the situationOne out. Runner on first. Know your responsibility before contact. All nine defensive positions are shown. Yellow shows the ball; coral squares show runners.BRPC1B2BSS3BLFCFRF
Defense Runner / batter Ball

Read the situation

One out. Runner on first. Know your responsibility before contact.

Follow a position

The team’s job

Get the ball home quickly while keeping a play at third available.

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 adds an inside cutoff for the scoring throw. We concede second to the batter and prioritize the lead runner at home or third. No receiver is assigned at second in this rotation.

The goal

Get the ball home quickly while keeping a play at third available.

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.

Other runner situations

With additional runners aboard, call the destination from the actual lead-runner play. This example shows a throw home.

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: runner on first
PitcherBack up the throw home. Loop around the third-base side, then get deep behind the plate.
CatcherCover home plate. As catcher, call the destination and direct the inside cutoff.
First baseSet up as the inside cutoff to home, ready to receive or redirect the relay. Follow the catcher’s cut or through call.
Second baseLine up CF with home. Receive the first relay and listen to SS.
ShortstopTrail 2B toward the receiving base with space between you. Repeat the catcher’s call to 2B and handle a missed relay.
Third baseCover third base.
Left fieldGet beyond third on the line of a 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: runner on first

Get the ball home quickly while keeping a play at third available.

Extra-base hit to the right center gap: 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.BRPC1B2BSS3BLFCFRF

Runner on first. 1 out. Positions shown at the finish. Yellow shows the ball. Coral squares show runners.

How it works

  1. Read the situation. One out. Runner on first. 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 receives the first relay. SS communicates; 1B lines up the next throw home.
  4. Finish the play. Receive the throw at home; stay ready if it gets away.

Every position has a job

P · Pitcher

Back up the throw home. Loop around the third-base side, then get deep behind the plate.

C · Catcher

Cover home plate. As catcher, call the destination and direct the inside cutoff.

1B · First base

Set up as the inside cutoff to home, ready to receive or redirect the relay. Follow the catcher’s cut or through call.

2B · Second base

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

SS · Shortstop

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

3B · Third base

Cover third base.

LF · Left field

Get beyond third on the line of a 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.

bravara.com/softball-plays/extra-right-center-runners