In baseball and softball, all nine fielders have defined responsibilities and need to move on every play.
Double or triple to the left center gap with bases empty, the play goes to third.
Play:
| Situation: | Bases empty |
| Offense: | Double or triple to the left center gap |
| Defense: | Play goes to third base |
Player Responsibilities:
| Pitcher: | Backup third base |
| Catcher: | Cover home |
| 1st base: | Check that the runner touches first base and trail behind the runner to about halfway between first and second base. |
| 2nd base: | Cover second base, check that the runner touches second base, then trail behind the runner and stop about 20 feet behind the cutoff man (SS) |
| 3rd base: | Cover third base |
| Shortstop: | Moves into outfield to cutoff throw to either second or third base |
| Left: | Fields the ball and throws to base in front of the runners current position (or cutoff, if the ball is hit deep) (see Note 2) |
| Center: | Fields the ball and throws to base in front of the runners current position (or cutoff, if the ball is hit deep) (see Note 2) |
| Right: | Back up the throw to second base |
| Note 1: | The throw to the cutoff man only if necessary, otherwise throw directly to the base in front of the runner (either second or third base). |
| Note 2: | The center fielder should field any ball that he can get and the left fielder backs up the center fielder. If the center fielder can not get to the ball earlier or at the same time as the left fielder, then the left fielder should field the ball and the center fielder backs up the left fielder. |
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