where to throw? 3rd grade baseball league

Question
QUESTION: Hi! Here's my question: runners are on first and second with one out, a ball is hit
to my son who is playing third base. He steps on third base for the out. and then
proceeds to throw the ball to second. HIs coaches told him that he should have
thrown to first. Why? Many thanks for your help,
Jonathan


ANSWER: The question I would have to ask is how close was he to third.Not knowing that, the reason the play is at first is because it is the safest play.Lets say you had a real slow runner at first and a fast batter.Then the easy out may be at second but the safest play is at first.Most coaches always like the safest play.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your informative reply. My son was at a distance from 3rd, maybe
about 10-12 feet. He was thinking the shorter throw would be to second. That
was his instinct, but the coaches told him that he should throw to first instead.
Is it the generally feeling when working with younger kids that you go for the
safest play to get the out (in this case first), as opposed to trying to prevent a
runner from getting into scoring position? thanks for your help.

Answer
Yes that is the case with most coaches.Get the easy out first.Had he been playing short and the runner breaks for third on a ground ball to him,the easy out is at first but the smart play is at third.Once your son had to run a few feet to the ball then third to first is the play.He might have been able to go to second first and start the double play.