Playing 3B

One thing that I did with my son that I believe had a positive impact on his fielding abilities was to go to the outfield fence and have him get in a ready position about 5 or 10 feet off the fence. I then would hit to him from a distance of about 20 feet or so relatively hard shots that he would need to field. We only ended up with 2 or 3 bloody noses over a 3 year period, so not too bad, lol!

3rd Base is so much about reaction time, I think that is why this drill is effective.

We used baseballs, but Easton makes a very good ball for this drill called an "incrediball".

Thanks!

We used to do a similar drill but on a turf field or a indoor facility, where the bounces would come off quickly vs out field grass that was slow or the transition of the warning track.

I used to sell and use in my clincs a dimpled ball which I called a 'fun ball'.

The random bounces of this 'fun ball' improved
- infielders hand reaction time,
- perception of bounce, and
- hand-eye-feet coordination.

It was made of hard rubber with five sided bumps and could be bounced or rolled of any surface.
I'd lose several at the beginning of the year, and find them in these kids ball bags at the middle of the year. Pretty much indestructable, unless the dog found it to enjoy gnawing on the hard rubber.

I tell my third baseman they have four major assignments.
1. Hard shots down the third base line.
2. The outside pitch to right-handed hitters pulled towards the shortstop as a slow roller.
3. Bunts
4. Pop-ups, especially in foul territory.

All of the above need to be worked on. The slow roller to cut off the shortstop is very important. Have your third baseman "scoup, run, run, throw." He should cut off the shortstop and keep running towards first until he finds the handle.

Work all bunt situations, including a man on second.

The hard shots are also important, but I would trade that for a third baseman who can do the other three well.

I always try to emphasize that the best way you're going to get better at playing a position is to take grounder after grounder, field bunt after bunt, and field pop up after pop up. Simulate different situations (runners on, etc.) that you may encounter in a game. I am fine with doing fancy drills with reaction balls, etc. but I feel that it is most important to just get out there and get your reps in at your position. It's all about not only having the skills, but being comfortable playing the position. Cheers!

quote:

Originally posted by Marklaker:
Son and I have decided to place additional emphasis on fielding this off-season after focusing much of our past efforts on hitting and pitching. Any tips, tricks, drills, strategies from current and former third baseman for a young (12) hopeful?

Thanks!

Mark

PM

One thing that gets neglected with infielders IMO is explaining and working angles. Young players don't make plays because no one shows them how and explains it to them, For example, on the bag side at 3rd where the first step should be, etc.

Kids are like sponges and if we show them how, they will learn. I think a lot of times we simply put them out there and try to rely on athleticism. The more I work on this game the more I realize it's all about technique. They can get by for a while on the athleticism, but eventually the game passes them unless they develop technique.

I recently watched some 16-17 Y/O that didn't have the faintest clue about ready positions for different positions, creeping, footwork, glove angle, anything I consider to be basic and fundamental.

When was the last time we saw an infielder following his throw on a rec team? How many have been told that their bad throws are due to poor footwork instead of "Make the throw!"

"Make the throw!" or "Come on guys!" is not coaching IMO. We'll spend hours working on the micro - fine aspects of a swing and then let them get away with poor mechanics in the field and wonder why we lose.

There are some good videos out there, I like Specialized Baseball Camps Instructional DVD Series - Volume One - Master Infield Play (Stubbs) for the basics. And it is all about the fundamentals done right IMO.

Sorry for the rant. I was disturbed to watch a group of good kids play poorly because no one ever showed them how.

NDD- We disagreed in other threads but I can not agree with you more. We spend countless hours in our program teaching small things that get so overlooked. I truly believe this is what makes us so successful.

I'm glad we could agree.