How to Play Defense as a Third Baseman

The third baseman position in baseball is a very important position. Typically a third baseman is a power hitter on a baseball team. This ability to hit homeruns often results in their defensive contributions to the team being overlooked. A third baseman has a lot of defensive responsibilities on the baseball field.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• glove
• good hands
• strong arm
• leadership
• good observation skills
• strong communication skills

How To Play Defense As A Third Baseman

1. Develop a strong throwing arm. One of the biggest attributes a third baseman can have in either baseball or softball is a strong arm. A third baseman has the second longest throw to first base in the infield when fielding a ground ball. Only the shortstop will have to make longer throws.

2. Display good speed and agility if you are going to play third base. The third baseman is responsible for getting to every single ball hit to the third base side of the infield. They should try to cut off ground balls they can get to before the shortstop can. They also should call off the pitcher on flyballs if they have a better view of the ball.

3. Communicate with the pitcher. The third baseman should be very active in communicating with a right handed pitcher. When there is a runner on first base it is easier for the pitcher to look at the third baseman than over his shoulder at first base. The third baseman should develop a subtle signal with the pitcher to indicate if a runner is taking too large a lead at first base.

4. Coordinate with the outfielders on long throws towards the infield. If a ball is hit deep into the outfield, the third baseman should serve as a cut off man for the throw coming towards the infield. This means going out partially into the outfield to catch the throw from the left or center fielders when they throw the ball towards the infield.

5. Display strong observation skills. When serving as the cut off man, the third baseman should be observant of where the runner is on the bases. If he is going to try to score, the third baseman should catch the ball from the outfielder and throw it to home plate to the catcher. He should also be able to throw to any other base if the runner heads to that base as well.

6. A third baseman should be swift as well, in case he is involved in a rundown with a runner. This happens when a runner is caught between home plate and third base or second base and third base. The third baseman should be able to chase the runner back towards the base and tag him if he can catch up to the runner. If the third baseman can't catch up to the runner, he should throw the ball to the other defensive player involved in the rundown.

Tips & Warnings

• Third basemen should practice fielding ground balls on a regular basis, as that is the most common ball hit to them. They should also be prepared to react quickly to a line drive off the bat of a hitter.
• Third basemen should never run a runner towards home plate in a run down, instead they should throw the ball to the catcher and allow the catcher to run the runner back towards third base.

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