How to Be a Great Third Baseman: Essential Skills, Practice Tips, and What Scouts Look For

Brooks Robinson: “Third base is a reaction position. It’s not about getting ready, it’s about being ready.”

Mike Schmidt: Playing third base is like standing in front of a firing squad.”

George Brett: Third base is a tough position. You must be quick, strong, and fearless.”

My memo-

Third base, often referred to as the "hot corner," is one of the most demanding positions on the baseball field. A great third baseman needs a combination of quick reflexes, a strong arm, excellent footwork, and a sharp baseball IQ. It's a position that requires both physical prowess and mental acuity, as the third baseman is involved in almost every play that unfolds on the left side of the infield. In this memo, I will explore the essential skills needed to excel at third base, offer practice tips to hone those skills, and discuss what scouts look for when evaluating a third baseman.

Essential Skills for a Third Baseman

1. Reflexes and Reaction Time

Third basemen often have less than a second to react to a hard-hit ball. Reflexes and reaction time are critical because the ball comes off the bat at incredible speeds, especially from right-handed hitters. A great third baseman must be able to read the ball's trajectory immediately and make a quick decision on how to approach the play.

Practice Tip: To improve reflexes, incorporate reaction drills into your training. Use tennis balls or smaller balls thrown at varying speeds and angles. This will help you get accustomed to reacting quickly and accurately.

2. Strong Arm

A third baseman needs a cannon for an arm. After fielding a ground ball, the third baseman must often make long throws across the diamond to first base. In situations where the runner is quick, every split second counts. Therefore, arm strength and accuracy are crucial.

Practice Tip: Strengthen your arm by incorporating long toss into your routine. Start at a close distance and gradually increase the distance as you warm up. Also, practice throwing on the run and from various angles, as not every play will allow you to set your feet perfectly.

3. Footwork and Agility

Excellent footwork allows a third baseman to get into the correct position to field ground balls, line drives, and bunts. It also helps in making quick lateral movements, charging slow rollers, and positioning oneself for accurate throws.

Practice Tip: Incorporate ladder drills, cone drills, and other agility exercises into your training. Focus on quick, explosive movements that mimic the actions you’ll need during a game. Practice fielding balls from different angles and while on the move to improve your footwork under game conditions.

4. Fielding Techniques

A third baseman must be adept at fielding ground balls, line drives, and bunts. Soft hands and proper glove work are essential to securing the ball cleanly. Being able to read the spin and hop of a ground ball can make the difference between an out and an error.

Practice Tip: Work on fielding drills that emphasize different types of ground balls—slow rollers, sharp grounders, and those with tricky hops. Practice fielding barehanded to develop softer hands and better ball control.

5. Baseball IQ and Awareness

A great third baseman needs a high baseball IQ. This includes knowing when to play in for a bunt, when to guard the line to prevent extra-base hits, and understanding the game situation to make quick decisions. Awareness of the speed of baserunners and the strengths of your teammates is also vital.

Practice Tip: Study the game. Watch professional third basemen and observe how they position themselves in various situations. Play situational drills that replicate in-game scenarios to build your decision-making skills.

6. Mental Toughness

Third base is not for the faint-hearted. A great third baseman must possess mental toughness to handle the pressure of the position. Errors can happen, but the ability to bounce back quickly is essential.

Practice Tip: Develop mental resilience by practicing under pressure. Set up drills that simulate high-stress situations, such as making plays with runners in scoring position or with two outs. Visualization techniques can also help in staying calm and focused during games.

Practice Tips to Hone Your Skills

1. Daily Fielding Routine

Incorporate a daily fielding routine that covers all types of plays you’ll encounter at third base. Start with basic ground balls and work your way up to more challenging plays, such as backhanded stops, charging slow rollers, and making throws on the run.

2. Improve Hand-Eye Coordination

Hand-eye coordination is vital for a third baseman. Incorporate drills that challenge your ability to track and react to fast-moving objects. Use smaller balls, reaction balls, or even juggle to improve your coordination.

3. Strength and Conditioning

Focus on a strength and conditioning program that enhances your agility, explosiveness, and arm strength. Core exercises, lower body strength training, and plyometrics should be a regular part of your workout routine.

4. Work on Positioning

Practice positioning yourself correctly depending on the game situation. Work with your coach or teammates to simulate different scenarios, such as holding a runner at third, guarding the line, or positioning for a double play.

5. Game Situations

Simulate game situations as much as possible in practice. This includes playing infield during batting practice, running through bunt defense drills, and working on double plays with the shortstop and second baseman.

What Scouts Look For in a Third Baseman

When scouts evaluate a third baseman, they look for a combination of physical skills, mental attributes, and baseball instincts. Here’s a breakdown of the key areas scouts focus on:

1. Arm Strength and Accuracy

Scouts pay close attention to a third baseman’s arm strength and accuracy. They want to see a player who can make strong, accurate throws from deep in the hole or when charging a ball. Scouts often use a radar gun to measure the speed of throws across the diamond.

2. Fielding Ability

Scouts assess how well a player fields ground balls, handles difficult hops, and makes plays on the run. A third baseman’s ability to field both routine and challenging plays cleanly is critical.

3. Footwork and Agility

Good footwork is a sign of a polished infielder. Scouts look for players who move efficiently and can cover ground quickly. A player’s agility in getting into the proper position to field a ball is closely evaluated.

4. Reaction Time

At third base, quick reflexes are non-negotiable. Scouts observe how quickly a player reacts to hard-hit balls and their ability to make split-second decisions.

5. Hitting Ability

While defense is the primary focus for a third baseman, scouts also consider a player’s hitting ability. A third baseman who can contribute offensively, especially with power, is highly valued.

6. Game Awareness and Instincts

Scouts look for players with a high baseball IQ who demonstrate strong game awareness. This includes how well a player reads plays, anticipates where the ball will be hit, and makes smart decisions under pressure.

7. Mental Makeup

Scouts evaluate a player’s mental toughness, including how they handle pressure, deal with failure, and maintain focus during a game. A third baseman with a strong mental makeup is more likely to succeed at higher levels.

My Bottom Line-

Becoming a great third baseman requires a blend of physical talent, technical skill, and mental fortitude. By focusing on improving your reflexes, arm strength, footwork, and overall baseball IQ, you can develop into a standout player at the hot corner. Remember, consistent practice and a dedication to mastering the fundamentals are key to excelling at third base. Keep honing your skills, and you’ll be well on your way to impressing scouts and making an impact on the field.

?** When we held try-outs, I would put all the infielders behind the third base bag, about 15 feet and have them throw to first base.

I could judge who had the strongest arm and would rate them. So, practice your arm strength throwing to first base.

"There may be people who have more talent than you, but there's no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do" Derek Jeter

?

?

?