Baseball: The Third Base Coach Makes the Call
One student acts as third base coach and uses signals to send the runner home or hold them. Students practice reading the play (where the ball is, the outfielder's arm, number of outs) while the scorekeeper logs whether each call was right.
How to play
- Introduce the signals: arm windmill to send the runner home, both arms up to hold at third; review what to watch: how deep the ball is, which outfielder fields it and how many outs (3 min).
- Situation drill: runner on second, the teacher throws the ball by hand to different parts of the outfield, the third base coach decides and the outfielder throws home; rotate every three reps (7 min).
- Three-inning game where each team always has a third base coach who rotates every inning; the scorekeeper logs each call and whether it led to a run, an out at home or a held runner (12 min).
- Analysis: the scorekeeper reads each coach's success rate and the group discusses which situation was hardest to read (3 min).
Rules
- The runner always follows the coach's signal, even if they disagree.
- Home uses a double base: the catcher takes the throw on one and the runner touches the other; no collisions or slides.
- The third base coach stays outside the field of play, in a box marked with cones.
- Drop the bat on the ground before running.
Variations
Easier
Only a runner on second, and the ball always goes to the same area.
Standard
Situation drill and a game with a third base coach and logged calls.
Harder
The coach also decides whether the runner from first goes on to third, with two runners at once.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: serves as the regular third base coach, since the role needs no running.
- Hearing impairment: the system is already visual; also agree on an attention signal before each play.
- Low vision: the coach adds a voice call (“go” or “hold”) to the signal.
Learning goals
- Read the game situation to decide whether a runner advances.
- Communicate decisions with clear signals and own the role.
- Evaluate decision quality with objective data.
Equipment for a class of 25
- soft baseball bats: 2
- soft baseballs: 6
- bases: 5
- cones: 10
- pinnies: 14
- cards: 2
- pencils: 2
Teacher tip
Stress that a call can be good even if it turns out badly: the review should judge the information available. Place the coach's box 3 m from the third base line for safety.
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