Runner goes. Who's got the bag?

When a runner at 1st takes off to 2nd base whether it be a hit and run or a straight steal it is very important as to who covers the bag. And, lets be perfectly clear in understanding that it is only one player that covers the bag. I know many youth coaches ask one to cover and one to back up. Those are the little league days when the player had to wait until the catcher received the ball. So, who has it? The shortstop or the 2B?

OK. What is the situation dictates so much of what happens next. Conventional thinking says right handed batter means the 2B covers the bag. Left handed batter the shortstop covers the bag. That ceratinly makes things consistent. However, at upper levels of baseball there is more that goes into it than just that. Usually, the shortstop and 2B will have a closed mouth "me" and an open mouth "you" signal that they determine on each and every pitch. Complicated? Maybe. Sometimes, I think the conventional method is just as prudent.

Now, if a manager thinks the hit and run might be on and he believes the batter could try and shoot the ball to the opposite field he may "switch coverage" with his middle infielders. Usually, this is done with a right handed batter only as most teams would prefer the shortstop to cover when there is some doubt.

Another sticky coverage issue occurs when the batter shows bunt while the runner is running. If the 2B has bag coverage and the batter squares, doesn't he also have 1B? Well, the way this is resolved is on all shows of bunts- coverage is automatically conferred to the shortstop.

The last thing that needs to be addressed here is when a steal isn't a steal. Man on 1st. 2 out. 3-2 count. Please don't cover the bag when he takes off for 2nd.

I've witnessed so many games where middle infield play is simply neglected when it comes to defending the running game.