Single to left: runner on second

A single reaches left field. Organize the return throw to home with the cutoff, coverage, and backups in position. This example has a play at home; do not give away another base on a hopeless throw.

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Runner on second1 out

Defense Runner / batter Ball

Play progress

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Read the situation

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

Follow a position

The team’s job

Give the defense a chance to stop the run at home.

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

Why this rotation works

A runner starting at second can threaten home. The cutoff to the plate changes, and a teammate fills the base they leave.

The goal

Give the defense a chance to stop the run at home.

Watch for these mistakes

Watching the ball instead of moving to your responsibility.
Sending the ball to an uncovered base instead of finding the 3B cutoff.
Standing beside the receiver when your job is to back up beyond the throw.

Other runner situations

Also applies with runners on first and second or the bases loaded when the defense is making a play at 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 Single to left: runner on second
Pitcher	Back up the throw home. Loop around the first-base side, then get deep behind the plate.
Catcher	Cover home plate. Call home and direct the cutoff: cut or through.
First base	Check that the batter touches first, then be ready on the inside of the base.
Second base	Cover second base.
Shortstop	Cover third base.
Third base	Get on the line from LF to home. Show a target and listen for the call. Cut when called; let an on-line throw through when the receiver calls through.
Left field	Field the single and throw toward home through 3B.
Center field	Back up the outfielder.
Right field	Get beyond second on a return throw from left field. Adjust if the cutoff redirects the ball.

Keep learning

Single to left: bases emptyView the rotation Single to left: runner on firstView the rotation Single to center: bases emptyView the rotation

Softball Playmaker Nine-player fastpitch

Single to left: runner on second

Give the defense a chance to stop the run at home.

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

How it works

Read the situation. One out. Runner on second. Know your responsibility before contact.
React to the ball. Move on contact. The closest defender fields while everyone else gets into the rotation.
Get in position. Cut called: 3B receives and relays to home.
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 first-base side, then get deep behind the plate.

C · Catcher

Cover home plate. Call home and direct the cutoff: cut or through.

1B · First base

Check that the batter touches first, then be ready on the inside of the base.

2B · Second base

Cover second base.

SS · Shortstop

Cover third base.

3B · Third base

Get on the line from LF to home. Show a target and listen for the call. Cut when called; let an on-line throw through when the receiver calls through.

LF · Left field

Field the single and throw toward home through 3B.

CF · Center field

Back up the outfielder.

RF · Right field

Get beyond second on a return throw from left field. Adjust if the cutoff redirects the ball.

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

bravara.com/softball-plays/single-left-second