Inbaseball andsoftball, part of theinfielders' and pitcher's jobs is tocover bases.[1] Their role is to stand next to abase in anticipation of receiving the ball thrown from another fielder, so that they may make a play on an opposingbaserunner who is approaching the base. On aforce play, the fielder covering the base stands with one foot on that base.
In general, thefirst baseman covers first base, thesecond baseman orshortstop covers second, thethird baseman covers third, and thecatcher covershome plate. However, onground balls hit to the first baseman away from first base, thepitcher will cover first base instead. On a ground ball to either the shortstop or the second baseman, the other of those will cover second base.[citation needed]
With a runner on first base, when a ground ball is hit to the third baseman, second base will be covered by the second baseman, because unlike the shortstop, he does not have to turn his back to the third baseman in order to get to second base. Likewise, with a runner on first base, when a ground ball is hit to the first baseman, second base will be covered by the shortstop, who unlike the second baseman, does not have to turn his back toward the first baseman in order to get to second base.[citation needed]
When a runner on first base attempts tosteal second base, the shortstop and second baseman will have arranged in advance which one will cover second base to receive the ball from the catcher. Likewise, when the pitcher attempts topick off a runner at second base, the shortstop and second baseman will have arranged in advance which one will cover second base.[citation needed]
Withbaserunners on first and second bases, sometimes the shortstop will cover third base on abunt, a coverage plan known as the "rotation play" or "wheelplay." This occurs if the batter bunts the ball toward third base so that the third baseman cannot cover third base because he is moving forward to field the ball.[citation needed]
If the defense is employing an extremeshift, with the shortstop playing on the first-base side of second base and with the third baseman playing near second base (because by reputation the batter is anticipated to hit the ball to the right side of the infield), in some cases the pitcher may need to cover third base.[citation needed]
When the pitcher throws awild pitch, or when the catcher permits apassed ball, so that in either case the catcher has to retreat further intofoul territory away from home plate to retrieve the ball, if there is a runner on third base the pitcher will cover home plate.[citation needed]
Depending on the situation, however, various fielders can cover any base, and sometimes even anoutfielder can cover a base.[citation needed]
InAmerican English, theexpression "cover your bases" used outside of a baseball setting means to be thoroughly prepared for something.[2]
