| The third baseman must be a fierce competitor | | | | 8. Dive and knock down all balls that are hit to |
| that shows no fear or intimidation. The third | | | | your right that you can reach. Never assume a |
| baseman must have a solid arm, quick reaction | | | | ball is foul. Play everything as if it is a fair ball. |
| speed, great feet, and be mentally tough. This | | | | Knocking the ball down that is fair nearly always |
| article gives 12 tips for playing third base like a | | | | holds a base runner to a single rather than allowing |
| major league baseball player. Those tips are: | | | | the runner to advance to second base. |
| 1. Start with the glove on the ground. It is much | | | | 9. Use an overhand throwing motion whenever |
| easier to work up than the work downward with | | | | possible to make your throw flatter and more |
| the glove. | | | | accurate. Make your throws to first base chest |
| 2. Make sure to get your glove out and on the | | | | high to make them easier for the first base man |
| ground as you take your steps before the pitch. | | | | to handle. |
| Taking tinny steps toward the plate gets the | | | | 10. Throw to second base that are double play |
| body moving and makes your reaction quicker to | | | | feeds should be slightly toward the first base side |
| a hit ball. The body reacts quicker if it is in motion | | | | and chest high to help facilitate a good turn and |
| than from a still position. | | | | throw to first by the middle infielder to complete |
| 3. Nothing gets by you. A good third baseman | | | | the double play. |
| knocks everything down and keeps everything in | | | | 11. You have jurisdiction over the pitcher and the |
| front of his body. You have time to retrieve the | | | | catcher on pop fly balls. If the short stop or left |
| ball and complete the throw with most batter/ | | | | fielder calls a ball, you must "bail out" to clear the |
| base runners. | | | | catch zone for them. |
| 4. Always be ready and willing to field balls hit in | | | | 12. When executing the cut off and relay. Sneak a |
| the 5-6 hole. It is easier for the third baseball to | | | | peak to get a good initial alignment with home |
| cut a ball a ball and make the throwing working | | | | plate. Listen for the catcher "fine tune" your |
| toward the bag, than a short stop having to | | | | alignment. Make sure to circle the ball in flight to |
| make a back hand play. | | | | allow you to field it with your shoulder turned and |
| 5. Adjust you position to the bag according to the | | | | aligned for a relay throw to home plate. If you |
| hitter. If you have scouting information that a | | | | throw to the plate, make sure that the throw is a |
| player is likely to bunt, play shallow and in front of | | | | "tag high" shot in the perfect spot to make the |
| the bag. | | | | catch and tag easier for the catcher. If the |
| 6. With a left-handed batter batting you should | | | | catcher calls for a "cut 2", make sure that your |
| play even with the bag and cheat a little to your | | | | shoulders are properly turned before making the |
| left unless a scouting report suggest that you play | | | | throw to second base. A throw away at 2nd |
| differently. | | | | could allow the runner to advance to third. |
| 7. With a right-handed batter batting you should | | | | I hope that you found this article to be |
| play deeper and closer to the line unless a | | | | informative and interesting. I appreciate you taking |
| scouting report suggest that you play him | | | | the time to read it. Good luck to your team in the |
| differently. | | | | coming season. Have a great day, Nick. |