Baseball Instruction/3rd base

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Expert: - 4/23/2010


Question
How far off third base does a 3rd baseman need to be?
Also, if the ball is hit between shortstop and third base, whose play is it?
My son plays third and the coach has him about 3 foot off the base and when he hits grounders about 10 feet from him, he gets all over my son for missing the ball.  I just want an explanation of how this base should be played.  Thank you!

Answer
well this depends on who is pitching.If you have a guy who throws very hard and you don't think anyone will pull the ball down the line then he should be far off the line.If it is the opposite then he should be playing closer.Every coach is different but I would rather my 3rd baseman play for the ball in the whole as opposed to the one down the line unless it is late in the game and your trying not to give a double up down the line.  

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Willie Ansley Jr.

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I can answer all questions on baseball instruction from hitting to baserunning,pitching and defense.I can also deal with the mental side of the game. After all baseball is 90% mental.

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I was the Houston Astros #1 pick in 1988.I have been doing private instruction and coaching select baseball in the Houston,Tx. area since 1996.

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I have worked with such players as Carl Crawford(while at Jeff Davis High)first pick in second round of the 2000 MLB draft.Also Vince Blue(Lamarr High) a 10th round selection.John Hale(Lamarr High) committed to Rice Univ.Eric Iland(Lamarr High) a top prospect in the 2007 MLB draft.

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