Runner On Third Base, One Out
By Coach Jack Dunn
A very interesting defensive situation that is often taken lightly or seems to be neglected completely occurs when
there is a baserunner on third base and one out.
This situation occurs in almost every game and numerous times during the course of the season.
How you play this situation could result in conceding an unnecessary run to your opponent, which in many
instances results in a loss. M ultiply this by the number of games on your schedule and you could be looking at
several avoidable losses.
How do you play your infield with a runner on third base (only) and one out?
Let’s analyze the situation!
Playing the Infield Back/Deep
In this situation the defense is conceding a run by playing back!
Other than a ground ball back to the pitcher, the majority of ground balls to the infield will score a run. On a
ground ball to the shortstop or second baseman, a run will score every time unless the runner on third base fails to
react or goes to sleep.
Strike outs, pop flies to the infield, line drive infield outs or short fly balls to the out field are the only ways to
prevent the runner form scoring if the infield is playing back.
Virtually all ground balls to the infield will score the runner from third base if the infield is playing back.
If you play your infield back in this situation, you are conceding a run.
Offensively: Give This Some Thought
If the infield is playing back the defense is conceding a run; therefore, to take the pressure off the hitter teach
your players to read the defense and recognize that when the infield is playing back a ground ball will score a run.
Hitting a ground ball in the area from the shortstop's right (the hole) to the second baseman's left (the hole) will
score the run. This is the so called "gray area".
Teach your hitters to concede power for contact! Get the ball in play, preferably on the ground! Don’t swing for the fences! Use a compact swing.
Playing the Infield In/Close
M ost coaches do not like to play the infield-in any more than absolutely necessary. This is solid baseball strategy;
however, they tend to play the infield-back in this situation and give up unnecessary runs.
Just how risky is it to bring the infield in with a runner on third and one out?
Risk vs. Reward
Granted, a close in infield is to the offensive team’s advantage. It has been estimated that a .200 hitter becomes a
.400 hitter or in other words a close-in infield doubles the hitter’s chance of hitting safely because the infielder’s
lateral range is greatly limited by being closer to the hitter.
Playing the infield in is less risky with one out than with no outs (not recommended), because the chance of a big
inning is not as likely should the hitter get a base hit.
If the batter does hit safely, the offense now has a runner on first base with one out. The sacrifice bunt is highly
unlikely and the defense has the double play in order.
The hit and run and/or steal are available to the offense.
The probability of a runner scoring from first base with one out is 26% based on results from the American League.
The defense has a 74% probability that the runner won’t score.
By playing the first and third basemen even with the base and the shortstop and second baseman in the baseline,
the infielder’s range is increased slightly without losing the ability to throw the base runner out at home plate!
If the runner advancing from third base attempts to score and gets caught in a rundown between home plate and
third base, it is imperative that the third baseman trail the runner to keep the rundown in as confined an area as
possible. This enables the runner to be put out quickly and prevents the batter/runner from advancing to second
base and into scoring position.
M any third basemen go directly to third base and the ensuing rundown takes place in the full ninety feet, giving the
batter/runner time to move into scoring position.
Third baseman trails the runner and the shortstop covers third base!
Conclusion
Playing the infield in with a runner on third base just isn’t that risky! Why automatically concede another run?
If you have trouble scoring one run, how can you concede another, particularly late in the game?
If your ace is pitching, limit your opponent to as few runs as possible. M ake it as tough as possible for them to get
ahead.
High School baseball games are only seven innings in duration therefore scoring opportunities are limited… the first
inning of a high school game is like the third inning of a nine inning game.
Offensive baseball strategy in my opinion is to get runners on third base with less than two outs so that runs can be
scored without base hits. Conceding a run on a routine ground ball out gives credence to this concept.
Don’t make it easier for them to score a run by playing your infielders back.
If you’re several runs ahead, play your infield deep. Count your runs! Give a run for an out!
Good luck!