There are two ways to receive a throwdown from the catcher when playing middle infield. My goal as a coach is to teach both methods and allow players to choose what they think gives them the best chance to handle the baseball and make a firm tag. No matter the method you choose to incorporate, it is important to notice how low the infielders get when catching the ball and how they have their eyes behind the glove as the ball is coming in.

STRADDLING

As you can see from the video, this method involves the player having feet on both sides of the base as the throw is coming in. This allows the infielder to put the tag straight down, giving the baserunner nowhere to get around the tag. The biggest potential downside to straddling the base is when the catcher's throw has some run that takes you into the baseline. It is important to understand that you need to quickly shift to the inside part of the baseline to receive such a throw and try to make a tag, without colliding into the runner.

BOTH FEET IN FRONT

This method occurs when the infielder receives the throw with both feet in front of second base. It is easier to get short hops and react to a bad throw from this position. The potential downside comes from leaving the backside of the base wide open for the baserunner to slide in. To account for this, infielders get really low and sink with the throw coming in allowing the ball to get deep to where they are catching it over the bag. You can see from the video how much these guys let the ball travel and catch it off their back foot.

At the end of the day, if you catch the ball and tag the runner out you did a good job. It is important to try both methods and understand what works best FOR YOU to make the play.