7/21/08- THIRD BASEMAN SKILLS

from Baseball Excellence. com Tip of the Week 8/04/08

This is a position that many coaches often neglect. Many use it as a place to play an extra pitcher or place to get substitutes an inning or two. This is fine but doesn't give any of them the opportunity to thrive at the position. It is important to play an athletic kid at this position. Foot speed is not a prerequisite for this position but reaction time and athleticism are.

Positioning the third baseman is an under coached skill. We move our third basemen more than any other position player. Positioning is done according to game situations and even the type of pitch. For instance, if you call for an inside fastball to a good hitter make sure your third baseman is playing back or he may be picking up a few teeth.

POSITIONING

Know the situation in the game. Before every pitch, every fielder should remind himself of the situation. The batter and base runner's speed. The pitch location, the number of outs, etc.

Set up late and depending on the batter and situation of the game, never start in the same place during a ball game. Many times a coach or batter will glance to see where the 3b is before they decide to bunt. That’s why we teach our 3b (like catcher) to set up early as a decoy until the signs have been given.

Creep on every pitch. Regardless of the situation, the 3b must "creep" on every pitch. We teach "one step in and down" as the pitcher releases the ball to the plate.

Guard the line. This should only be done in the last inning of a very close ball game to eliminate a cheap ground ball double down the line. This means moving two steps toward the bag.

The standard positioning for the third baseman is as follows: 5 steps away from the bag and 8-9 steps back, on the clay. The ground ball in the hole between the Shortstop and the third baseman is a play that is seldom made in youth baseball but it can be made if the third baseman is athletic and plays deep and far enough off the bag. (LL- 3 steps off and 5 steps back.)

Positioning during bunt situations
Sac bunt- with a runner at 1st and 2nd and no outs especially in a close ball game, you must anticipate a bunt by playing in on the edge of the grass. If the batter gets two strikes on him his odds of attempting another bunt decreases. Move him back with two strikes.

Drag bunt- with less than two outs, a speedy leadoff type batter may attempt this if he sees you playing back. When he gets two strikes you can challenge him to bunt again by moving back much deeper. But remember; bunts rarely will beat you and it is almost always better to increase your range by playing back. This is an area where knowing the skill and tendencies of the opponent is important.

Squeeze bunt- late in a close game when your pitcher is dominating you will want to move a step or two closer to the bag while the pitcher pitches from the stretch.

In most bunt situations the third baseman will "read and retreat" to his bag. The pitcher will try to field as many bunts as he can. Hard bunts may have to be fielded by the third baseman. In that situation many teams have the pitcher cover third base.

With a runner on first and less than two outs play your third baseman even with the bag. Remain 5 steps away but even with the base. Learning to "read" the bunt is a skill itself. Many third basemen will charge when the batter squares around to bunt. That is too late. The third baseman should read and react to a bunt the instant the batter takes the barrel of the bat off his shoulder. By reading the bunt quickly he can play even with the bag and not on the grass- increasing his range.

With many teams the sacrifice bunt is less effective with one out. We usually move our third baseman back with one out, always with two outs.

Fielding ground balls to his left.

As a rule, the 3B should cut in front of the SS and field every ball he can get as long as he takes a straight angle toward 2B. On the big fields the SS plays on the edge of the outfield grass and this is a much easier play for the 3B to make. He has the momentum to both 1st and 2nd base.

Receiving throws at 3B
Forehand picks on thrown balls. Get as low as possible, wristy attacking of the ball on the short hop from the ground up and out.

Backhand picks on thrown balls. Get as low as possible, lock wrist and attack the short hop from the ground up and out.

Block balls with mid section that are thrown on mid or in between hops.

Leave bag to catch wide throws
When a runner is stealing 3B you should try to receive the throw in foul territory.

When the 3B runner is returning to 3B you should take the throw in fair territory.

Receive throw to tag runner. Many times the 2B runner will mistakenly attempt to advance to 3B on a ground ball in front of him and to the SS's right. When this happens, the sure out will often be at 3B, not 1B. The 3B must back peddle to 3B and receive the throw from the SS and either apply the tag, or begin a run down. Similarly you must receive throws from the pitcher, catcher and first baseman.

Receive throws for force outs. On hard bunts and comebackers to the pitcher and weak bunts to the catcher. Put left or glove side foot on the bag and step (stretch) to ball with right foot. (Play this like a first baseman.)

Tagging sliding runners. Stand beside or straddle base, squat as low as possible, get glove down quickly, apply firm tag and raise glove over head on the way out of there.

Rundowns. Seize any opportunity to get a runner in a run down (pickle). If time permits, chase him with the ball in your bare hand (quicker throw) and most importantly, get him going full speed as soon as possible. Throw the ball to the closing fielder when the runner is 10-12 feet from him. Make sure that you get out of the base line and keep going after you throw the ball (do not circle back). A perfect rundown takes one throw.

"Holding a runner at 3b"
Do not do this. Play the third base position according to the situation, not the fact there is a runner there. The offense must beat you with their bats. Play defense where you have the best chance of making a play.

Becoming the cut off man

Cut off man on throws from the left fielder to home. (know the arm strength of all your outfielders). On routine plays, you want to receive this throw between the pitching rubber and 3b. Read the tail of the throw and turn body to catch on your glove or throwing side, step and throw to the plate. Listen to your catcher.

Wet grass caused by dew or light rain will cause hard throws and line drives to skip or skim much faster and farther than dry fields.

Steps to fielding a routine grounder

Sprint under control and get in front of the ball

Shuffle feet and spread them wide to lower the backside

Extend arms out (do not lock elbows)

Catch on the short hop (ground up) and off the inside of the LEFT foot with a soft two handed trap (thumbs up and wrists bent out)

Gather while you shuffle feet/gain a 4 seam grip/close off front side.

Pull back/trunktwist and throw hard and low.

Follow the throw to the 1b with a couple of steps.

Backhand
Wait until the last possible moment. Squat by bending at the knees, not waist, in order to get the backside low and glove to the ground. Lock wrist and maintain a bent elbow, attack the ball on the short hop from the ground up (and slightly out) leading with the elbow.

Back hand with crossover step. Plant cross over foot at the last possible moment, set wrist and with momentum toward the throwing target, attack the ball on the short hop from the ground up and slightly out. Must get body extremely low and field ball just outside crossover foot.

Do or die plays
Slow Roller-take banana route, get low and attack ball off the left toe with sharp palm up to palm down action, transfer to throwing hand and gain a 4 seam grip, continue straight through the ball and throw off of right foot (RH).

Shovel roll at home (squeeze bunts).
This is a low percentage play but you often have no other choice. Tilt shoulders, field bare handed off of your throwing foot during a ¾ speed "duck walk", firmly roll (or bounce) ball to the catcher and dive. This will make it quicker to tag a sliding runner. You can also make this a "gloved" play by both fielding and rolling the ball to the catch with your glove.

Double play feeds.
The secret is to get the ball to the 2b as quickly as possible. No one can out run the ball. On routine ground balls, field off left foot, stay bent at the waist while shuffling feet and throw from underneath. On balls hit to your left, field and continue your momentum throwing hard. Always throw hard so in the event you make a bad throw, the outfielder gets the ball sooner.

Pop ups
Shallow outfield pop ups. In fair and foul territory. Turn and take a direct route to where the ball will land. Pump arms and put glove up during last three steps only.

Diving catches (lay outs) are faster. Land on hands with elbows out to eliminate jarring.

Infield pop ups. Infield Pop ups will have spin. This will cause the ball to move from your right to left.

Shielding the sun. Hold your glove up to give shade to your eyes as they track the ball.
Learn speed and slope of infield- During pre game infield, determine the speed and slope and lip. Grass infields are slower than dirt and have a "lip" that will affect ground balls and one hop throws. And some infields slope more than others affecting a slow moving bunts.