Scenario

Question
My son plays 3rd base for his freshman HS team and he asked the following question: No outs, runner on 1st and 3rd, ground ball to him, what play does he make?  I know more info is needed ie: slow roller, sharply hit, score,  but would appreciate if you would answer with the variables that are possible. Thanks

Answer
Harry:  Great question!

A number of factors must be processed by the 3b, all take place before the pitch is made.

If that process happens, when the ball is hit all the player has to do is react to the situation which is already entered into his computer.

Some factors override all other considerations.  If the runner at 3b represents the tying or go ahead run and you can't afford to give up either, reactions are all centered around keeping that runner at third, or throwing him out at the plate.

If he is the winning run, then you check him to keep him there and get the out at first.  

If he is running on contact, then the play has to go to the plate or the game is over.

If the run at third is one you can afford to give up, then take a shot at the DP.  Even if you don't turn the double play, you trade a run for an out.

If the runner from first is running on the pitch, the around the horn DP is gone, check the runner at 3b to hold him, go to first base.  Should the runner from third be going and you have a good shot at throwing him out, take it.  Shorter throw.

Information you need to process:

1.  What inning is it?  From the 5th inning on, a team's ability to give up a run for a possible double play or even just an out becomes compromised.

2.  What is the score, and is this the tying, go ahead or winning run.   Some additional information to factor in here is, how easy have runs been to come by.  Can you afford to give up a run for an out at this point.  This is mostly a coaching decision.

3.  Speed of the runners involved.  The faster the runners, the less time you have to turn the DP.  If it is essential the DP gets turned so that the run doesn't score and there is good speed on the bases, it may change your approach.  The change would be to check the runner at 3b first, then throw out the batter/runner.

4.  Location of the ground ball:

Backhand side ~ tougher to turn the DP

Glove side ~ Easier to get the DP, harder to get the runner at the plate

Right at you ~ All options are equal

5.  Was the runner on 1b running on the pitch:  If so, the DP is gone from the equation

6.  How hard was the ball hit:  Routine or hard, all options stay open.  Slow roller takes out the DP, leaving 1b or plate, depending on the location you are at when you field the ball.

The ability to make all these decisions in the moment comes from going through the possibilities in your mind before the pitch is made.  Once the ball is headed for the plate, it is all about reactions to what you see in front of you.

Those are the possibilities on a ground ball.  There are also another set of situations that could come into play, depending on what the offense attempts to do, such as:

Double steal

Delayed double steal

Straight single steal

Bunt and run

Fake bunt and hit

Hit and run

Safety Squeeze

Suicide Squeeze

Steal home

Various special plays where the runner at first gets himself picked, or starts to steal and stops short of 2b to create a rundown situation, attempting to score the runner from 3b.

Each of the above present their own unique problems to the defense.

These situations apply or don't apply based on the number of outs, the inning, the count on the batter.  

All these situations are part of a players pre-pitch checklist.

While at first glance it may seem like information overload, it is all doable and with repetition becomes automatic like any other baseball skill.  Third base is a fun and exciting place to play.  There is always something you should be doing.  

My high school freshman coach told me that all you need to play 3b is a big chest and a strong arm.  While those two traits can serve you well, it takes more than that to be successful at the "hot corner".

Good luck to your son this season.  You and your family are all headed for a lifetime of wonderful family memories that surround this great game.

Yours in baseball,

Rick