Who was supposed to cover 3rd on this play? And is this a managerial error or risk?

Question

About a week ago during a Nat's and Reds game, Manny Acta shifted the Nat's defense way over to the right side of the field.

The shift was so far to the right that Ryan Zimmerman was
playing the 2nd base position.

At the time of the shift Phillips of the Reds was on first base.

Two pitches in Phillips get the steal sign and takes off for 2nd base. Zimmerman gets the ball but there's no one to throw to because the shortstop is in between him and the 1st baseman. Phillips then cruises on to 3rd base easily with no one covering.

Is this a major screw up by Acta or was the pitcher supposed to cover 3rd base?

Answer 1

The natural reaction for the pitcher (as it should be) is to to head for 1st base on a ground ball but there is no place for him to go on a steal. On a steal, the 3rd baseman should be headed for his base instinctively. The catcher just threw the ball, so it'd be hard for him to cover 3rd.



On every play, players have to know where to go and who is covering what base. If they are going to do a shift like that, there has to be a plan on what to do in those situations. I think it was a mangerial "screwup" in that he didn't have the players practice the play, so it would be instinctive.



I would try to train the pitcher to cover third or get the 3rd baseman over there.



GOOD question

Answer 2

I saw the play. I would say that either Zimmerman was too slow to react when Phillips broke for 2nd or that he was posistioned to far away from 3rd. You could say this was a managerial mistake I suppose. It was definately a heads up play on Phillips part.

Answer 3

I really don't understand what is the point of shifts. On this particular play, yeah, I think the pitcher should've been covering 3rd base.

Answer 4

this just happen to the red sox as well the team they were playing(I think it was Baltimore) put the shift on for big papi...dustin pedrioa steals second and keeps going to 3rd because know one was there ...usually the third basemen isn't past 2nd base on a shift leaving him to run ahead of the base stealer to third....but hey I think it's the price you pay for such a sever shift

Answer 5

The pitcher would then have to cover 3rd base or the Catcher.