1st and 3rd, infield in

[Gfoley4]

Where do you guys go if you ever get into the situation where there's runners on first and third and even the middle infielders are playing in? When there's other situations with infield in I normally just back up until the dirt from a C position, but I feel like that wouldn't be the best spot for a pickoff to first base.

[maven]

R1, R3, we should be in B. The issue isn't a pickoff (same angle from B/C) but a potential steal of 2B.

With F4 playing in, step back to the edge of the grass (deep B). This does compromise the angle for a pick at 1B, but the good news is that they usually won't pick at lower levels for risk of scoring R3 on a bad pick. If they do pick, be alert and move smartly straight in—toward HP—to open the angle at 1B.

When F4 comes in, he typically plays toward 1B a bit (from his usual position), and you won't be in each others' way.

[MadMax]

R1 and R3? You should be in B. A pickoff attempt is still more likely thrown to 1B than to 3B, as the throw to 1B is more practiced and "natural", both for the F1 and the F3. F1's tend to "pucker" when they throw to 3B, and not many F5's are too confident in receiving that throw with the pressure of releasing a runner to HP should they screw up. You are also in the optimum position for a steal attempt of 2B, and in a better spot for a double play. Granted, it depends on the situation, as if with R1 and R3, no outs, in a close game, the defense is going to try and freeze the R3 and get an out. They likely won't attempt a DP and allow R3 the time to run home. With 1 out, the situation changes, and you'll very likely have a DP attempt.

R1 and R3 also creates a situation of a delayed double steal. R1 will attempt to steal 2B at half-throttle so as to induce a throw, allowing R3 to attempt a steal of HP. R1 is probably instructed to try and get into a run-down. Stay on your toes for this one. With your IP in B, you're in a better position to observe this run-down, since your PU partner will not be able to come help you.

With your IP in B, and the entire infield playing in, I'm still likely going to stay in. You'll know after 1 pitch what the offense is up to, because with the infield in, and R1 uncovered, most teams will let R1 take 2B with indifference. If R1 stays, this is a (somewhat) disciplined team, sticking to "the plan", and they're trying to induce a throw so as to get R3 home.

@maven presents great insight on (most) F4's.

[MidAmUmp]

If the entire infield is playing in, they aren't going to attempt a pickoff (or they shouldn't). They've sold out and the play is going to the plate.

As the others have said, you need to be in B with runners on 1st and 3rd.

I probably wouldn't move very much from B. Just get out of the way when the ball is hit. 

[noumpere]

At higher levels you won't often see this, because it's (almost) an automatic steal for R1 if F4 and F6 are playing in.

 

But, if you do, see it, I agree with the others -- normal B or deep B, depending a bit on what you are comfortable with AND the specific location of F4.

[Gfoley4]

2 hours ago, noumpere said:

At higher levels you won't often see this, because it's (almost) an automatic steal for R1 if F4 and F6 are playing in.

 

But, if you do, see it, I agree with the others -- normal B or deep B, depending a bit on what you are comfortable with AND the specific location of F4.

agree. I only encountered this in a Babe Ruth League game a couple of weeks ago and I didn't remember to post until then. At the levels I normally do, even with a normal alignment of infielders with R1/R3 I'm usually only in B for 1 pitch while the runner easily takes second