Catcher Responsibilities on Defense: Where the Catcher Goes on Every Play

The catcher is the only player facing the whole field, so the catcher is the defense's eyes and voice: calling where the throw goes, telling the cutoff what to do, and taking charge of plays at the plate.

When nobody is on base, the youth catcher has one more job that's easy to forget: run down the line behind the batter to back up first.

The catcher's main jobs

• On a ground ball with nobody on (or nobody on second or third), run down the first-base line, in foul territory, to back up the throw to first.
• With a runner who might score, stay home. Set up in front of the plate, and call the cutoff: say nothing to let the throw through, "Cut!" to have it caught, "Cut two!" to have it thrown to second.
• On a bunt, call who takes it and where the throw goes. The catcher sees it best.
• On a pop-up behind the plate, turn your back to the field, find the ball, then toss the mask away from where you're going.

Every play, and where the catcher goes

There are 85 plays in the Simple Fielding library. The catcher covers a base on 34, backs somebody up on 23, gets the ball on 23 and stays ready on the other 5. Tap any play to watch the whole defense move in the app.

Ground balls (Little League baseball, 60 ft bases)

• Backs upGrounder to short, nobody onRun down the line behind the runner to back up the throw to 1st — stay in foul territory.
• Backs upGrounder to 1st — pitcher covers!Run down the line behind the runner to back up the throw to 1st — stay in foul territory.
• Backs upDouble play: runner on 1st, grounder to shortRun down the line behind the runner to back up the throw to 1st — stay in foul territory.
• Backs upDouble play: runner on 1st, grounder to 2ndRun down the line behind the runner to back up the throw to 1st — stay in foul territory.
• Covers a baseRunners on 1st & 2nd, grounder to 3rdStay home — cover the plate. Set up in front of the plate and leave the runner a path to the back of it. Catch it, then sweep the tag down.
• Covers a baseBases loaded — force at homeForce at home! Step on the plate like a first baseman, then throw to 1st.
• Covers a baseRunner on 2nd — look them backStay home — cover the plate. Set up in front of the plate and leave the runner a path to the back of it. Catch it, then sweep the tag down.
• Covers a baseTwo outs — take the easy outStay home — cover the plate. Set up in front of the plate and leave the runner a path to the back of it. Catch it, then sweep the tag down.
• Backs upComebacker to the pitcherRun down the line behind the runner to back up the throw to 1st — stay in foul territory.

Singles (Little League baseball, 60 ft bases)

• Backs upSingle to left, nobody onRun down the line and back up 1st base, behind the first baseman.
• Backs upSingle to center, nobody onRun down the line and back up 1st base, behind the first baseman.
• Backs upSingle to right, nobody onRun down the line and back up 1st base, behind the first baseman.
• Covers a baseSingle to left, runner on 1stStay home — cover home plate.
• Covers a baseSingle to right, runner on 1stStay home — cover home plate.
• Covers a baseSingle to left, runner on 2ndCover home — you are the boss here: yell "Cut!" or "Let it go!" Set up in front of the plate and leave the runner a path to the back of it. Catch it, then sweep the tag down.
• Covers a baseSingle to center, runner on 2ndCover home — you are the boss here: yell "Cut!" or "Let it go!" Set up in front of the plate and leave the runner a path to the back of it. Catch it, then sweep the tag down.
• Covers a baseSingle to right, runner on 2ndCover home — you are the boss here: yell "Cut!" or "Let it go!" Set up in front of the plate and leave the runner a path to the back of it. Catch it, then sweep the tag down.

Doubles & triples (Little League baseball, 60 ft bases)

• Covers a baseDouble down the left-field lineStay home — cover home plate.
• Covers a baseDouble in the left-center gapStay home — cover home plate.
• Covers a baseDouble in the right-center gapStay home — cover home plate.
• Covers a baseDouble down the right-field lineStay home — cover home plate.
• Covers a baseDouble to left-center, runner on 1stCover home. Set up in front of the plate and leave the runner a path to the back of it. Catch it, then sweep the tag down.
• Covers a baseTriple to the right-field cornerStay home — cover home plate.

Fly balls & pop-ups (Little League baseball, 60 ft bases)

• Backs upFly ball to left, nobody onRun down the line and back up 1st base, behind the first baseman.
• Covers a baseTag up from 3rd — fly to centerCover home — you are the boss here: yell "Cut!" or "Let it go!" Set up in front of the plate and leave the runner a path to the back of it. Catch it, then sweep the tag down.
• Covers a baseTag up from 2nd — fly to rightStay home — cover home plate.
• Covers a basePop-up behind 2nd — who takes it?Cover home plate.
• Covers a basePop-up between 3rd and shortCover home plate.
• Backs upShallow fly — outfielder calls off the infielderRun down the line and back up 1st base, behind the first baseman.

Foul balls (Little League baseball, 60 ft bases)

• Gets the ballFoul pop behind the plateRip off your mask, find the ball, then toss the mask away from where you are going. Turn your back to the field and catch it!

Bunts (Little League baseball, 60 ft bases)

• Backs upBunt down the 3rd-base lineRun down the line behind the runner to back up the throw to 1st — stay in foul territory.
• Backs upBunt to the pitcher, runner on 1stRun down the line behind the runner to back up the throw to 1st — stay in foul territory.
• Backs upBunt down the 1st-base lineRun down the line behind the runner to back up the throw to 1st — stay in foul territory.
• Covers a baseBunt with a runner on 2ndStay home — cover the plate. Set up in front of the plate and leave the runner a path to the back of it. Catch it, then sweep the tag down.
• Gets the ballBunt right in front of the plateCharge it, glove down! Then throw to 1st.

Steals & leads (Little League baseball, 60 ft bases)

• Gets the ballSteal of 2nd — right-handed batterCatch the pitch, come up throwing, and throw to 2nd base — aim for the bag, knee-high.
• Gets the ballSteal of 2nd — left-handed batterCatch the pitch, come up throwing, and throw to 2nd base — aim for the bag, knee-high.
• Gets the ballSteal of 3rdCatch the pitch and throw to 3rd — step toward the base, around the right-handed batter.
• Gets the ball1st & 3rd double stealCatch the pitch, look the runner on 3rd back, then throw to 2nd. Get back to the plate fast!
• Gets the ballSecondary lead — catcher back-pickCatch the pitch and snap a throw to 1st — the runner leaned too far off!

Rundowns (Little League baseball, 60 ft bases)

• Gets the ballRundown between 3rd and homeBall up where your teammate can see it. Run hard at the runner and drive them back toward 3rd. When the third baseman yells "Now!", one firm chest-high throw. Then get out of the lane.

Passed balls (Little League baseball, 60 ft bases)

• Gets the ballPassed ball, runner on 3rdThe ball got by! Turn and sprint to it, and yell where it is. Pick it up and throw.
• Gets the ballWild pitch, runner on 1stThe ball got by! Turn and sprint to it, and yell where it is. Pick it up and throw.

Softball: slaps, bunts & steals (12U fastpitch softball)

• Backs upSoft slap to the left side — shortstop chargesRun down the line behind the runner to back up the throw to 1st — stay in foul territory.
• Backs upHard slap past the crashing third basemanRun down the line behind the runner to back up the throw to 1st — stay in foul territory.
• Backs upSlap in the hole — shortstop backhandRun down the line behind the runner to back up the throw to 1st — stay in foul territory.
• Backs upDrag bunt by a slapper — first baseman crashesRun down the line behind the runner to back up the throw to 1st — stay in foul territory.
• Backs upSlap with a runner on 1st — take the sure outRun down the line behind the runner to back up the throw to 1st — stay in foul territory.
• Covers a baseSacrifice bunt, runners on 1st & 2ndStay home — cover the plate. Set up in front of the plate and leave the runner a path to the back of it. Catch it, then sweep the tag down.
• Covers a baseSqueeze — take the out at 1stStay home — cover the plate. Set up in front of the plate and leave the runner a path to the back of it. Catch it, then sweep the tag down.
• Covers a baseBunt, runner on 1st — catcher covers 3rdThe third baseman charged — sprint up the line and cover 3rd so the runner can't take it.
• Gets the ballSteal of 2nd — shortstop coversCatch the pitch, come up throwing, and throw to 2nd base — aim for the bag, knee-high.
• Gets the ballSteal of 3rdCatch the pitch and throw to 3rd — step toward the base, around the right-handed batter.
• Gets the ballCatcher back-pick at 1stCatch it and snap a throw to 1st — the runner is too far off.
• Gets the ballCatcher back-pick at 3rdCatch it and snap a throw to 3rd — the runner is too far off.
• Gets the ballLook-back — runner off 3rd goes straight backCatch the pitch and throw it right back to the pitcher in the circle.
• Gets the ballLook-back — runner off 3rd stops: out by ruleCatch the pitch and throw it right back to the pitcher in the circle.
• Covers a baseLook-back — runner on 3rd breaks for homeThrow it back to the pitcher, then get right back to the plate. Set up in front of the plate and leave the runner a path to the back of it. Catch it, then sweep the tag down.
• Gets the ballLook-back, 1st & 3rd — runner drifts off 1stCatch the pitch and throw it right back to the pitcher in the circle.
• Gets the ball1st & 3rd delayed stealThrow it back to the pitcher — and be ready for the runner on 1st to break as you release it.
• Gets the ballDropped 3rd strike — throw to 1st from the insidePick it up, and listen for the first baseman: "Inside!" Step that way and throw.
• Gets the ballDropped 3rd strike to the backstop — throw from outsidePick it up, and listen for the first baseman: "Outside!" Step that way and throw.
• Gets the ballDropped 3rd, bases loaded, 2 outs — step on homeGet the ball and step on home plate — that's the force for the third out.
• Gets the ballDropped 3rd, runner on 1st, 1 out — batter is out, don't throwPick it up and look at the runners. Don't throw to 1st: the batter is out.
• Gets the ballPassed ball, runner on 3rd — pitcher covers homeThe ball got by! Turn and sprint to it, and yell where it is. Pick it up and throw.

90 ft: depth, relays and tags (high school baseball, 90 ft bases)

• Backs upDouble-play depth — 6-4-3Run down the line behind the runner to back up the throw to 1st — stay in foul territory.
• Backs upDouble-play depth — 4-6-3Run down the line behind the runner to back up the throw to 1st — stay in foul territory.
• Backs up5-4-3 around the hornRun down the line behind the runner to back up the throw to 1st — stay in foul territory.
• Backs upDeep in the hole at shortRun down the line behind the runner to back up the throw to 1st — stay in foul territory.
• Backs upSlow roller — charge itRun down the line behind the runner to back up the throw to 1st — stay in foul territory.
• Covers a baseSingle to center, runner on 2nd — play at the plateCover home and make the call: say nothing to let it through, "Cut" to hold it, "Cut 2" to throw the batter out at 2nd. Set up in front of the plate and leave the runner a path to the back of it. Catch it, then sweep the tag down.
• Covers a baseSingle to right, runner on 1st — 1st to 3rd?Stay home — cover home plate.
• Covers a baseSingle to left, 1st & 2nd — third baseman cutsCover home and make the call: say nothing to let it through, "Cut" to hold it, "Cut 2" to throw the batter out at 2nd. Set up in front of the plate and leave the runner a path to the back of it. Catch it, then sweep the tag down.
• Covers a baseDouble down the left-field line — tandem relayCover home. Set up in front of the plate and leave the runner a path to the back of it. Catch it, then sweep the tag down.
• Covers a baseDouble down the right-field line — tandem relayCover home. Set up in front of the plate and leave the runner a path to the back of it. Catch it, then sweep the tag down.
• Covers a baseGap double, left-center — tandem to 3rdStay home — cover home plate.
• Covers a baseTriple to the right-center gapStay home — cover home plate.
• Covers a baseTag from 3rd — medium fly to centerCover home and make the call: say nothing to let it through, "Cut" to hold it, "Cut 2" to throw the batter out at 2nd. Set up in front of the plate and leave the runner a path to the back of it. Catch it, then sweep the tag down.
• Covers a baseTag from 2nd — fly to rightStay home — cover home plate.
• Covers a basePop-up in the triangle — 1B, 2B, RFCover home plate.

Quick answers

Does the catcher back up first base?

In youth baseball, yes: on a ground ball to the infield when there's nobody on second or third, the catcher runs down the line in foul territory behind the batter to back up the throw to first.

What does the catcher yell to the cutoff?

Nothing if the throw should go through to the plate. "Cut!" to have the cutoff catch it and hold it. "Cut two!" (or three) to have the cutoff catch it and throw to that base, usually to get a runner who took an extra base.

Who calls where the ball goes on a bunt?

The catcher, because the catcher is facing the play and can see the runners. The fielder picks up the ball and throws where the catcher calls.

Where teams do it differently (who's the cutoff home, who covers second on a steal), these pages follow a common youth system. Your coach's system wins.