Playing 3rd Base

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Mar 24, 2014
450
18
Due to injury my DD will be get some serious playing time at 3rd base. In addition to her team practice, looking for all drills / situations to be the complete player when we do individual practice. She's really excited about the opportunity.
 
Jun 1, 2013
847
18
Being new to third, best advice I can come up with is make sure she is comfortable wearing a mask and if she isn't, make her wear it until she is.
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
Depending on how old she is work on picking the ball up with her throwing hand and throwing off balance.

If you hit to her try to stay square to the field and pull thee ball, try not to turn your body towards her.
 
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Mar 24, 2014
450
18
DD is second year 14U so want to get her skill set up to speed quick! Has played 1st base most of her career.
 
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Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
Last thing.

I do not mind a ball getting by her on her right if the batter smokes it, rather her come in an steal balls from SS.

Maybe more then any other position she needs to adjust how far off the bag she gets depending on the game situation.
 
Mar 18, 2014
222
18
Georgia
Due to injury my DD will be get some serious playing time at 3rd base. In addition to her team practice, looking for all drills / situations to be the complete player when we do individual practice. She's really excited about the opportunity.
Learn how to throw on the run from different arm slots. Work on rake through and back hand. Lots and lots of short hop work.
 

Chris Delorit

Member
Apr 24, 2016
343
28
Green Bay, WI
Great tips.

Don't forget the Happy Gilmore cage drill! ;)

+10 for backhands & short hop raking reps, including consistent transfer & accuracy on throws to all bases, especially the 1 sack.

Reps & lots of them. As a 1st baseman, she should already have a familiarity with positioning. Light feet, balanced & always in motion.

Bunt & slap ID, lateral footwork drills & angles & more angles, attacking run-throughs, shadowing a runner at 3. How about a rapport with her SS...she'll need a discrete heads-up on the change-up.

Did I mention angles? Both footwork & throwing angles :)

Find the crappiest infield to practice reps on...ruts, rocks, weeds, lighters, bottlecaps... The idea is to train agility & quick hands that translate to "magician" on a game-ready infield.
 
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Oct 30, 2014
292
18
Seattle
Find the crappiest infield to practice reps on...ruts, rocks, weeds, lighters, bottlecaps... The idea is to train agility & quick hands that translate to "magician" on a game-ready infield.

I agree 100% with everything else you said except I would suggest caution with this. In my experience a bad field can create a hesitant player. I'd rather use tennis balls/tennis raquets at a short distance to develop quick hands.
 
Aug 8, 2010
352
18
If she doesn't already, teach her a low, slow creep as the ball is pitched. It will quicken her feet up. Work on odd throwing angles, staying low throughout the throw. Work on cutting down the angle on balls hit to her left, no 90 degree unless that is the only way to get to one. It is a very demanding position, make practice demanding.
 

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