Third Base Play

The third baseman's requirements are no different from those of any other infielder, except —this is the player who must have the strongest throwing arm in the infield.

Balls batted by a right-handed pull hitter travel faster toward the third baseman than any other infielder, thus the third baseman must be able to get his hands into position quicker than the other infielders. Since batted balls are hit so hard down third base, it is apparent that many of them will not be fielded cleanly.

Therefore the third baseman, forced to recover a fumbled hopper, and faced with the long throw over to the first base, has to have a powerful and accurate arm if he wants to fire the ball in time to get the put-out.

Many have said that a third baseman is just like any other infielder, except that he has lost some of his speed afoot. This may be so on some professional teams, but how many third basemen have these people seen who couldn't throw hard and true? Think of all the third basemen in the major leagues today. Now, ask yourself if any of the other infielders can match the throwing power of their third baseman.

The man at the "hot corner" doesn't have too much time to set himself, or maneuver for ground balls. Sometimes the batted ball is on him just as he gets his glove up to meet it. That's why you will see many third basemen, particularly on balls hit to their left, play the ball with their gloved hand. They'll stick their glove in the air to play the long hops, step off with their left foot and then throw to first base. Medium-speed grounders hit directly in front of them are played by moving in to meet the ball. The throw should be an overhand motion except in those situations when the third baseman is forced to charge fast on a topped, or very slow, roller or a bunt.

Fast grounders hit between the third-base line and the fielder must be played back-handed. The third baseman, from his low position, must flick his gloved hand over his body and to the right if he wants to make the play. He then has to straighten up and transfer the ball to his throwing hand.

What else must a third baseman have to do? There are those twisting high pops hit over the head. Many of these he must catch while running with his back to the plate, taking the ball over his shoulder, like a football end grabbing a pass.

He must be pin-point accurate with his throw when starting the "5-4-3" double play, from third to second to first. The third baseman's throw to the second baseman must come at shoulder-high level and a trifle to the second baseman's throwing side. This type of perfect throw enables the second baseman to get off his toss to first base without too much shifting his arras or hands to throwing position.

Fielding a bunt demands cat-like quickness and a fast break away from the position. The third baseman, to execute his play in a minimum of time, must charge toward the bunt and make the pick-up with his left foot in front of his right foot. From the pick-up position he then throws in an underhand motion to first base. This is one fielding play that requires an underhand throw.

One of the easiest plays a third baseman is called on to make is the unassisted force play at third base. This play can only be made if there are runners on first and second, or if the bases are loaded. The third baseman who fields the grounder close to his base —when there are two out — should not throw home, to second or first to make the put-out. He should do exactly as this Pirate third baseman — make the put-out unassisted by stepping on third base (below).

Although making the put-out looks simple enough there is a quick and correct way to make the play. The bag should be touched with the foot closest to it. The bag should also be touched at that point closest to the player. This third baseman has done both. His right foot has hit the bag on the back, outside edge, thus saving as much time as possible in making the put-out.

To make a throw to first to complete a double play, the third baseman should keep his throwing hand higher and push off the bag with his right foot.

We have already covered the technique involved in playing a smash hit between the third-base line and the third baseman. Here is a dandy illustration of reaching for a ball headed into that area.

Sure-fielding Ken Boyer starts stretching for the drive (above) by throwing his body in the direction of the ball. He has dug his front spikes into the ground to maintain proper body balance, and his glove has already been flung across his body and is in back-hand position.

The line drive is speared (below) in the pocket of the glove. True, a certain element of luck is involved in making the catch, but isn't baseball a matter of inches?

Boyer's spectacular grab is made while his front spikes are still dug into the ground. He has spread the fingers of his right hand, palm flat. When he falls to the ground, his right palm will break the fall and the fingers in his glove will be able to keep control of the ball.

Foot Movements. — Many of the foot movements o£ the third baseman are much different than those of the infield-er who is required to make a play around second base.

In many plays at third base the baseman usually has sufficient time to station himself in proper position before making the tag on the runner, and this third baseman has done just that as he awaits a throw from his catcher on an attempted steal by the base-runner from second base.

He straddles the bag (above left), placing his weight evenly on his feet. The inside part of the bag is exposed to the runner coming from second but the fielder has removed the possibility of receiving an injury from the runner's spikes. A third baseman who positions himself in front of the bag, thus blocking it, leaves himself liable for injury by the runner who is entitled to freedom of the base-line. A runner is entirely within the rules if he attempts to knock over the third baseman who stands in front of the bag without the ball.

Some third basemen will not take a throw from the catcher while in this position. The experienced third baseman will station himself in front of the bag, then swing his left leg around to the outfield side of the base, thus assuming the straddle position.

This is just what this third baseman (below left) is doing. He has swung his leg around the bag and is about to catch the throw from the catcher. Once the catch is made he will be in a position similar to the third baseman in the above photograph.

This third baseman has taken the throw and has swung his left leg around to the outfield side of the bag. From this position he will have to turn left in order to face the runner coming down from second (above). Note that the throw is about knee-high, perfectly placed for the third baseman.

Making the Tag. — The runner is out (below) because the third baseman is alert. Knowing that the runner will attempt to drive his right foot against the inside corner of the outfield side of the bag, the fielder has shielded that area, Thus the runner's right foot slides right into the fielder's glove for the put-out.

If the throw is high or wide, concentrate on catching the ball. Play the ball first. An inexperienced third baseman may make the mistake o£ attempting to hold his fielding position as he reaches wide, high or low for an inaccurate throw. If the throw is so inaccurate as to make the third baseman leave his feet, forget the runner and concentrate only on catching the ball.

Remember, third basemen, bring the glove up to the side after tagging the runner. Do not keep the glove in its tagging position since the runner may kick the ball out of the glove.

Willie Mays is about to get cut down on this attempt to take an extra base because the ball, in this case, arrived before he did. The fielder's right foot is outside of the foul line only because this is how he likes to position himself in making this play.

There is no hard and fast rule on just how the third baseman should station himself when taking the throw from the catcher. As the third baseman gains additional experience he will soon learn which method is best for him in making this type of play.

Take another look at this fielder (above). He caught the ball in both hands but has since transferred it to his gloved hand. He will then shoot his gloved hand down to the ground and let Willie slide into it. Since the upper body and arms of the fielder are in front of the bag, it will not be necessary for him to swing his right leg to a position on the far side of the bag. The third baseman has his forearms well in front of the bag and will make the play without any difficulty.

Everything worked on this tag at third (below) with the same situation (a single to right field with a runner on first). The throw came straight and low. The third baseman, from his straddle position, made the catch. He snapped the glove down in front of the bag and the runner is about to be eliminated because he's sliding right for the glove.

Still another method of playing the bag on a sliding runner is demonstrated by dependable Eddie Mathews. He has his right foot (above) jammed tight against the home plate side of the bag as the slide is made head first. His left leg is back and spread wide, a position Eddie feels keeps him well anchored at the bag. Both of Eddie's hands are making the tag, probably because there is less danger of a spike injury.

An excellent example of the play of a third baseman when an inaccurate throw forces him from his fielding position is demonstrated in the three sequence photographs (opposite page).

The alert third baseman (top) instantly leaves the bag when he sees that the throw will not be strong and accurate enough to catch the runner. He steps off on his left foot because the throw is going to his left. In the middle photograph we see that the third baseman has completely given up the idea of nailing the base-runner and is making certain that the throw doesn't get by him. The runner drives' toward third base and the fielder goes to the outfield side of the bag (bottom) to flag down the inaccurate throw from the outfield.

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