Infield Depth
Also known as: infield positioning, playing in, playing back
Infield depth is how far the infielders play from home plate — "in" (shaded forward to cut off a run) or "back" (standard depth to maximize range on ground balls and line drives).
In slow pitch with a run on third and one out, the infield may "play in" at the corners to cut off a ground ball before it scores the runner — accepting the trade-off of reduced range on harder-hit balls. Standard depth (back) maximizes the probability of recording an out on any batted ball. Playing too deep invites slow rollers to score base runners; too shallow gives hitters a larger outfield gap to drop balls. Depth decisions are made pre-pitch based on score, inning, and outs.
Example
Third base and first base play in with a runner on third and one out to cut off the potential tying run at the plate.
Related terms
- Defensive PositioningDefensive positioning is the pre-pitch alignment of all fielders based on the current hitter's tendencies, the game situation, the count, and the score.
- Defensive ShiftA defensive shift is an unconventional repositioning of fielders toward one side of the field to take away a pull hitter's most likely batted-ball zone.
- Double PlayA double play retires two base runners on the same batted ball, most commonly on a ground ball through the infield with a runner on first.
Related guides & benchmarks
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