Glove position at 3rd base

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Apr 5, 2013
41
6
What does everyone tell their 3rd baseman for glove position when in ready position for the ball? Have a 3rd baseman with good reflexes bit seems to have trouble getting glove to ball! Have heard glove up- glove down- etc. Looking to see what has worked for others! Thanks
 
Apr 22, 2015
103
0
N.C., USA
Traditionally it is to keep your glove low because it is much easier to come up than go down... but I have seen some when the 3B is up close to have it nearly face high.

Is she missing mostly grounders, or line drives?
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
I have always taught glove down.

But just thinking about it, and with no facts to back me up, I wonder if you have a Rise Ball pitcher the 3rd basemen’s glove might be better in a more neutral position.
 
Dec 5, 2012
4,143
63
Mid West
I teach both hands in a thumbs to the sky position at about the thighs.... walking in a step or two on release. IMO, if it's too high with elbows down, she'll be more susceptible to missing grounders. If she's all the way down and low, she'll be out of position to field a line drive. I think it's best to stay in an even, neutral position to be able to make a quick move in any direction. To each his own...
 
Sep 11, 2014
229
0
Pa
Glove in the dirt has always worked for me. My DD plays 3rd base when not pitching. My 3rd base that starts when DD is pitching has it in the dirt as well. Like said above, quicker to come up than down.
 
Jul 16, 2008
1,520
48
Oregon
Glove in the dirt has always worked for me. My DD plays 3rd base when not pitching. My 3rd base that starts when DD is pitching has it in the dirt as well. Like said above, quicker to come up than down.

Interesting, so starting with the glove in the dirt and a ball hit to her left, what's the first thing she has to do to move laterally? Or a bunt, what's the first move to come in? First move she HAS to come up in order to move in a certain direction.

Something to think about.

We have, as Coach James pointed out, glove in a neutral position with thumb up.
 
Apr 5, 2013
41
6
Mostly ground balls and anything to her right (backhand)! She starts with thumbs up but am thinking she is setting up to high??
 
Sep 11, 2014
229
0
Pa
Interesting, so starting with the glove in the dirt and a ball hit to her left, what's the first thing she has to do to move laterally? Or a bunt, what's the first move to come in? First move she HAS to come up in order to move in a certain direction.

Something to think about.

We have, as Coach James pointed out, glove in a neutral position with thumb up.

You're right, glove has to move in those situations. But, I have noticed that if they start with it in the dirt, when they move they keep the glove lower while they are moving and less hard grounders get by.
 
Aug 26, 2011
1,285
0
Houston, Texas
This is why strength/agility training is so important...and those squat jumps come in handy! Stay low and be on relaxed and on the ready with glove in the dirt to field grounders, jump for that line drive or fouls, or sprint for that bunt. :)
 
Apr 22, 2015
103
0
N.C., USA
Mostly ground balls and anything to her right (backhand)! She starts with thumbs up but am thinking she is setting up to high??

I have had girls with footwork problems on backhands... remind her to catch it right off her left foot (if ball to right).
Thumbs up a little below waist level shoud be ok still.
 

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