quote:Originally posted by landjw19:
Here are a few things I always remembered when playing third:
- Always play low to the ground.
- Normal position would be a step and a dive off the line. You should be able to take one step to the right and dive and cover fair territory.
- Depth always depends on situations.
- Always play deep with two outs to give yourself time to make a play and react.
- With less than 2 outs and no runners on base, you must rely on what you think the batter will do. 4-hole hitter probably won't bunt; 8-hole may bunt, etc.
- Any time a runner is on 2B, you probably won't field a bunt unless it is hard at you.
- With a runner only on 1B, you will field a bunt.
- Always charge bunts with your hands out in front to protect yourself from a slash, etc. Chop your feet to slow yourself down.
- With 2 strikes, play deep.
It is hard to have set rules for any position. As your son's knowledge of the game and baseball IQ improves, he will understand where to be, etc. Third base is not a place where you can be thinking all of the time. Great defensive players know what is going to happen before it does. Hope this helps!
This is a very well thought out post! Thank you!