Your theory about who covers 2nd base on a steal.

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May 16, 2016
1,024
113
Illinois
I would like to hear why and in what situations do you have the SS cover 2nd base on a steal vs the 2nd baseman covering 2nd on a steal. What do you do when there are no runners on base vs a runner on 1st. Why do you choose to have that person cover 2nd base?

It seems in softball you have the SS cover the bag more often than the 2nd baseman, certainly not always but more often than baseball IMO. In baseball the the 2nd baseman covers the bag more than softball. I remember back in highschool we just had the SS cover 2nd base vs lefties, and the 2nd baseman covered 2nd base vs. righties. There is more to it than righty and lefty batters in softball because the 2nd baseman has to cover 1st base on a lot plays.

So far we have just been having the SS cover on all steals. One reason is that are SS is very good, definitely the best defensive player on the team by a lot. Very rarely does the ball get past her, and she is pretty good at applying the tag. Our 2nd baseman are pretty far behind in skill level compared to the SS. The SS also has much better field awareness and knows situations better. The downside to this is that the SS does get caught out of position due to covering 2nd base on a ball that would normally be an out occasionally. Leaves a big hole on that side of the field.

If it makes any difference we are playing 10u travel ball as a B team.
 
Last edited:
Jun 29, 2013
589
18
I don't recall seeing any team cover 2B with the @B, always the SS. My eyes tell me It has more to do with positioning in softball. The 2B is always playing closer to first than the SS is to third, thus the SS has a shorter sprint to cover the bag. But there may be more to it than what I am seeing.
 
Mar 13, 2015
202
18
Omaha, Ne
The only time I've had 2b cover 2 on a steal would be on slap defense. Most important part is having a pitcher who can hit away on this play. The setup...
3b in, SS over towards 3b, 2b cheating to 2, and 1b plays back. Bunt is covered by 3b, C, and P.
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
Agree with others, in our base defense SS always has 2nd on steal.

2nd does not even have backup responsibilities, her only job to to stay out of the way of the runner.
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
For us it depends on the batter RHB vs LHB and the pitch thrown. We may shift our infielders with every pitch which is yet another benefit of using arm bands for pitch calling. Yes, we are tipping the (inside/outside) location of the pitch. But even playing top Gold and JUCO teams we have yet to a team leverage the information. :)
 
May 17, 2012
2,804
113
For us it depends on the batter RHB vs LHB and the pitch thrown. We may shift our infielders with every pitch which is yet another benefit of using arm bands for pitch calling. Yes, we are tipping the (inside/outside) location of the pitch. But even playing top Gold and JUCO teams we have yet to a team leverage the information. :)

I am curious on how big of an advantage you feel you are getting with this. Since you continue to do it I assume it's worthwhile. Any kid of detail with regards to how often and which fielders are utilizing this the most would be appreciated.
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
I am curious on how big of an advantage you feel you are getting with this. Since you continue to do it I assume it's worthwhile. Any kid of detail with regards to how often and which fielders are utilizing this the most would be appreciated.

It is useful for the all fielders. Since everyone knows what pitch is called and where, assuming that pitch its successfully delivered they have a good idea where the ball might be headed. This helps them react to the angle of the bat at contact and not the actual flight of the ball. In the case of SS/2B coverage with a runner at 1B one player cheats toward the bag and the other is not concerned with coverage. With a RHB if we throw inside 2B has the coverage. If we go low and away SS covers. Of course with runners at the corners both are involved so the 2B can read the runner at 3rd.

Yes, at times we get burned but that is more than offset by some plays that we make that normally would not be possible. We get more than our share of plays where the RF throws the batter out at 1st.
 
Oct 30, 2014
292
18
Seattle
The only time I've had 2b cover 2 on a steal would be on slap defense. Most important part is having a pitcher who can hit away on this play. The setup...
3b in, SS over towards 3b, 2b cheating to 2, and 1b plays back. Bunt is covered by 3b, C, and P.

For the record, I have my ss cover because I think its easier for all involved and the amount of time you get burned on it is probably minimal.

That being said IF the second baseman is covering 2 the second half of what you said is most important. Slappers usually are good bunters so having a 2nd baseman cover 2 to leave the SS home leaves you open to having nobody cover 1st. It HAS to be the first baseman, its just not possible for a second baseman to double back especially against a quick slapper.
 

Axe

Jul 7, 2011
459
18
Atlanta
SS covering vast majority of the time. 2B needs to be at 1st on a bunt coverage and if teams see that she's cheating the middle to cover 2nd you will get burned. Witness the Oklahoma-Baylor game last night.
 
Mar 28, 2016
164
18
We have SS cover the bag in all situations except:

Slapper defense (Jcuevas covered this).
When a know RH'ed dead-pull hitter is up to bat they will sometimes ask the 2nd basement to cover.

It is easier for the SS to play the bag because she is running into the runner vs. away from the runner. If the catcher misses the throw by a couple feet to the SS side of 2nd base, it is almost impossible for the 2B to get to the ball and stop her momentum. Easy play for SS.
 

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