OHIO COUNTY FASTPITCH HANDBOOK
THE THIRD BASEMAN: Skills & Techniques



           

           

           

          POSITIONING

        • Move in 2-3 steps with no outs or in a bunting situation. Check with the coach to move back on "non-bunters".
        • Move back to your normal position when the batter has 2 strikes.
        • Move in 2 steps and toward 2nd base 2 steps for a LHB.
        • Move back 2 steps from your normal position with 2 outs or with strong RHBs.
        • Move closer to the line during the last 2 innings of a close game.


          BUNTS

        • When a runner is on 1st and the batter bunts to the Pitcher or 1B, go back to cover 3rd base.
        • On bunt plays with a runner on 2nd: you are responsible for charging the bunt and the SS will cover 3rd.
        • Be aware of a batter faking a bunt with the runner from 2nd trying to steal 3rd base. Be ready to recover back to cover 3rd if the ball is not bunted.


          WHEN THE BALL IS HIT

        • Line up the SS on all throws to 3rd.
        • Be the cut-off to home plate on a single (or ground ball through the IN FIELD) to Left Field with a runner on 2nd or a fly ball to Left Field with a runner tagging up at 3rd. IF THE BALL GETS PAST THE LEFT FIELD, FORGET ABOUT BEING THE CUT-OFF MAN AND GO TO COVER 3RD!
        • Always cover 3rd base on any ball that gets past the Out Field.
        • Find the fence first on pop flies and be ready for the ball to drift back toward the In Field.
        • Tag the runner coming to 3rd when fielding a ground ball moving toward that runner because it is easier to tag her than make a throw to 1st. HOWEVER, do not try to do this with a runner on 3rd base and 2 outs because if the runner coming from 2nd base stays in a rundown long enough for the runner on 3rd to tag home plate, the run will count.


          VARIOUS SITUATIONS

        • Block all throws to 3rd base. DO NOT LET A RUN SCORE ON A THROW THAT GETS PAST YOU!
        • Watch the runner on 3rd as the Pitcher is starting her delivery to home plate. Yell "SQUEEZE" if she is stealing.
        • Cover 3rd on all steal attempts.
        • Back up the Pitcher on all return throws from the 1B after an out or attempted out.
        • NEVER attempt to run a baserunner toward home plate during a rundown.
        • Expect smaller players and those at the bottom of the batting order to try to bunt.


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