In baseball and softball, all nine fielders have defined responsibilities and need to move on every play.
Outfield fly to center with bases empty, the play is to make the catch and hold the runners.
Play:
| Situation: | Bases empty with less than two outs |
| Offense: | Outfield fly to center field |
| Defense: | Play is to make the catch or field the ball and throw to second |
Player Responsibilities:
| Pitcher: | Back up the throw to second base |
| Catcher: | Cover home |
| 1st base: | Cover first base |
| 2nd base: | Cover second base. If the ball is hit into the shallow outfield then go hard to the ball to make the catch until center field or shortstop calls the catch (has third priority). |
| 3rd base: | Cover third base |
| Shortstop: | Go hard to the ball to make the catch until center field calls the catch (has second priority). If center makes the catch, then become the cutoff into first or second. |
| Left: | Back up center field |
| Center: | Go hard to the ball to make the catch (has first priority) |
| Right: | Back up center field |
| Note: | Center, shortstop, and second base need to go hard to the ball to attempt to make the catch. On fly balls into shallow center, center field has first priority, shortstop has second priority, and second base has third priority on making the catch. |
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