Changing infield depths while the pitcher is set

When a runner gets to 3B with less than two outs, the 3rd base coach must survey the infield and give explicit directions to the runner at 3B. Go on "contact", go if the ball is hit on the ground up the middle, make the ball get through the infield on the ground. All of these decisions are based upon where infielders are playing.

One seldom used strategy is to move the infielders at the latest possible moment to confuse the 3B coach but more importantly catch the runner at 3B in a bad read.

Here is how it could work. Man on 3B and the infield is back. 3B coach says we're going on "contact." As the pitcher comes set the infielders sprint to a 1/2 way depth. Ostensibly, the move is made to throw the runner out at home plate when he breaks on "contact."

There is a big caveat to this kind of strategy. I would not recommend this to high school teams that have less than average arms. This is an advanced skill to be used when you believe the reward is greater than the risk of having the lead runner approach home plate.

At the high school level, I contend starting them in and backing them up is a smarter and more prudent defense. The idea here is that the 3B coach will be more conservative in nature and keep the runner at 3B when he might otherwise put on a more aggressive defense.