Playing Third Base

Play any position in baseball but that no. 5 spot requires the steady nerve of a high wire walker.

Let's pretend the pitcher is really an ace out there, on the mound, throwing the ball baseball the hitter approaching 90 miles per hour. If the hitter is batting right handed and he meets the ball with the sweet spot of his bat and pulls it down that third base line look out, Nellie!

The speed of the ball coming across home plate and the remarkable speed swing of a heavy hitter kissing the ball square on the nose is a blast.

Little baseball leaves the bat in a blur like a rifle shot as the laws of physics take over--The mathematical results of equal and opposite reaction of the bat speed and ball speed.

Standing down there at third base, only 90 feet from the batter give or take a few feet or two, is our main man at the hot corner, our third baseman.

The third baseman barely has time to blink an eye before little white baseball is coming his way like a missile and is in his space and upon him in a flash.

The third baseman has to put his body in front of this streaking missile look the ball onto his glove and take a big sigh as he straightens up, takes that hop, step and throws a strike to the first sacker.

Hey, big guy, sounds easy enough, huh but who has that calm daring do, to step squarely in front of and grab that blue darter.

If that action seems a little too much then it is best to train your sights on some other spot on the team. Now for some real mechanics of how to play the position.

There are only a few items you must put into that calculator we call our noggin (or brain) before and during every pitch. Should I be back further toward the outfield grass?, Should I be closer to home plate?, Should I be guarding closer to the third sack and the foul line?, Did I notice the heft the batter put on that last swing or cut at the ball?

Dare this batter try to lay down a bunt? Is my teammate, the pitcher, throwing a curve ball away from the right handed hitter? I am thinking and calculating constantly while getting into that relaxed half squat, ready for the action.

The eye of an eagle you say! Yes, for it is vital for the third baseman to see from the bat to his glove the travel of that ball heading his way may be hugging the ground or may be a big fat candy hop.

The third sacker's body movement must be quicker than a cats leap. The line of travel from home plate to the third base waiting position is the shortest blast of the baseball travel distance for any position of the infield. Automatic reflex of foot movement getting square in front of the ball placement of the glove on the dirt infield and gently cradling the ball onto the glove is a body movement of beauty and the envy of a ballet dancer.

Situation ! A high pop baseball directly down the third base foul line but shallow enough to not reach the outfielder. Is the third baseman the one responsible to make this play?

No, the angle is much better for the shortstop to reach this pop up and make this catch than it is for the third baseman.

This is doubly important if there are any runners on the bases. Runners on the bases mean the third baseman has a responsibility to cover the bag at third to preclude runners from a possible advancement to third.

In a possible bunt situation, the third baseman has a dual responsibility. He must hustle to pick up the ball and throw out the running bunter and he must be aware that if there is a runner on first (normally this is the case on a bunt situation) then he must get on his horse and hustle back to his bag at third. A base runner leaving first will head to third if the third base bag is not being defended.

The shortstop may be covering but most likely the shortstop is covering the defense of second base because the second baseman is over covering first.

Alright, third baseman, we have you eating the dust of of baseballs barrelling toward you like a wild banshee or a shot from a rifle and you are hustling to play a well placed bunt. You are always ready reacting and on the go every pitch and every play. How do you like this no. 5 spot in the line up and stationed down on the hot corner?

During the season, if you play your third base position well Mom will have to repair those trouser legs once or twice. You might say, "What has Mom got to do with me playing third base?" well stud, most runners reaching third base normally are coming with a slide and spikes first. Your job is to stay in front of those spikes and tag that ole boy out. Spikes and trousers legs means the trousers get the worst of that action. Mom's sewing will be needed, we just hope the Doc doesn't have to do some sewing.

I can assure you it is not a fun position - If you are even slightly hesitant to get in front of those hard hit grounders, dig them out of the dirt straighten up and fire a rifle shot strike over to your teammate at first base.

The crowd in the stands will come to their feet and applaud when you turn a sparkling and sterling play from the hot corner. Calling third base the hot corner is no fluke or misspeak for the baseballs coming off those lightning fast swings and connecting of heavy hitters are a real chore to handle.

The likes of Brooks Robinson, the country boy who grew up and played as an All-Star, Gold Glove and Hall Of Fame performer had a stellar career with the Baltimore Orioles was the master down there at the hot corner.

Brooks brought the crowd roaring to their feet on many an occasion as a super third baseman and was referred to as "The human vacuum cleaner."

Batter Up----Let's Play Ball....

Batter Up----Let's Play Ball.... is a signature statement of Major Wiley B. Channell USMC (ret) an Introduction to the concept of baseball farming which includes ideas on strategies, training, and winning! at: http://www.baseballfarming.com

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