How to Turn a Double Play From the Middle Infield Positions

The most underrated aspect of winning baseball is defensive play. A good team does not necessarily have to be a great power team or a great hitting team. A team can win with good, but not great, pitching. However, it's very difficult to win at any level in baseball if the team cannot make all the plays that are expected. One of those expectations is the ability to turn the double play. The shortstop and second baseman have to be in sync with each other and every other infielder in order for a team to play great defense.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Keep your weight forward and on the balls of your feet while playing shortstop or second base. Before the pitcher throws the ball to the batter, go over every scenario that could result, and play them through in your mind. You should not be surprised when the ball is hit in the hole between shortstop and third base. As the second baseman, run to second base, and give the shortstop a target to throw to. After you catch his throw, you must immediately get rid of the ball by firing a strike to the first baseman. This is a long, tough throw that requires a quick release and power.

2. Run to second base when the ball is hit directly at the shortstop. As the second baseman, he will make a quick flip to you that you should be able to catch at around shoulder height before you throw it to first base. Position your feet so they are straddling the base. This will give you the best opportunity to get rid of the ball quickly to complete the double play.

3. React to a hard-hit ball hit directly to the second baseman by running toward second base from the shortstop position. You want to catch the ball as you are running through second base. Make the throw to first when you are on the right field side of the ball. You want to be out of range for the oncoming runner, and the hard-hit ball will allow you to just that. On a ball that is not hit as hard as the previous example, you won't have that luxury. As you release the ball to first, you will have to jump to avoid the oncoming base runner.

4. Run hard to second base on a ball hit between the first baseman and second baseman. The second baseman will have to make a strong throw to second, and you will have to give him a good target. After catching the ball, you need to make a strong and quick throw to first base, and you will have to do it under duress with the base runner bearing in on you.

5. Be ready at shortstop to play a ball hit to the shortstop side of second base by getting to the base, and then making the throw over to first to complete the double play. However, on a ball hit to the second base side, the second baseman should make the quick flip to the shortstop who should complete the double play throw. The reason for this seeming inconsistency is that the shortstop has all of his momentum moving toward first base as he makes the play, while the second baseman is moving in the opposite direction. That would make his throw quite difficult to complete.

Tips & Warnings

• Communicate with your partner at shortstop or second base, and learn how he wants to receive the ball. Most middle infielders like to get the ball at shoulder height, while some may like to catch it a bit lower.
• You must leap to get out of the way of the oncoming base runner. Baseball can have some ballet-like characteristics, and they usually center on the pivot man of the double play. Fail to leap and the shortstop or second baseman will get run over by the base runner.

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