I wanted to point out that a handed fielding third base can have success on the big league level. Mr.Dean played 148 games at 3rd; finishing in the middle of the pack in both fielding percentage and range factor. He had a fair number of (-) plays (about ten more than a right handed version of himself).

So the point is, there is a penalty for playing a y at third. But it may not be a deal breaker.

How about double plays with other 3B in the world.

Is there an easy way to pull that information?

He's well below recs for both arm strength and arm accuracy. He's really not a 3B.

Wow. That is disgusting.

Considering he shouldn't even be playing third if he were right handed, those #'s aren't that bad at all.

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Excluding the 10 or so extra negative plays, he's no different than the rest.

And how many of those '-' plays are because he's throws like a girl, anyway?

Well, for shots down the line a 3B that throws y would be a huge benefit. He should be able to play off the line more and get to hard hit balls right down the line.

So, balls hit to his (in the hole) might cause him problems, but balls hit to his right (down the line) would seem easier to field.

It would also seem to me that on balls hit into the hole, if he makes the backhand, he is in position to throw to either 2nd Base or 1st Base, though he might not field as many of those as a right handed 3B.

Stop it.

Quote: Originally Posted By hughesjr on 3/02/2009Well, for shots down the line a 3B that throws y would be a huge benefit. He should be able to play off the line more and get to hard hit balls right down the line.

So, balls hit to his (in the hole) might cause him problems, but balls hit to his right (down the line) would seem easier to field.

It would also seem to me that on balls hit into the hole, if he makes the backhand, he is in position to throw to either 2nd Base or 1st Base, though he might not field as many of those as a right handed 3B

And this is exactly why you see so many -handed ML 3B!

Quote: Originally Posted By hughesjr on 3/02/2009

It would also seem to me that on balls hit into the hole, if he makes the backhand, he is in position to throw to either 2nd Base or 1st Base, though he might not field as many of those as a right handed 3B.

not completely true. Imagine a righty at 1st base. Remember that whenever they backhand a ball, they have to turn their entire body in order to make the throw to 2nd (whereas a y has the "advantage" of being able to immediately start a 3-6-1 or 3-6-3 double play without turning their body). If you've played or watched, you've surely seen that numerous times.

The throw to 1st, though, you're right. He wouldn't get as many balls in the hole, but he would be square for that throw.

(but surely that extra range to the side where more balls are hit outweighs that ability to throw without first squaring yourself)

Here we go again...

Maybe his full name is Uncle Al Hughes Jr.

Quote: Originally Posted By moustachee on 3/02/2009

Quote: Originally Posted By hughesjr on 3/02/2009

It would also seem to me that on balls hit into the hole, if he makes the backhand, he is in position to throw to either 2nd Base or 1st Base, though he might not field as many of those as a right handed 3B.

not completely true. Imagine a righty at 1st base. Remember that whenever they backhand a ball, they have to turn their entire body in order to make the throw to 2nd (whereas a y has the "advantage" of being able to immediately start a 3-6-1 or 3-6-3 double play without turning their body). If you've played or watched, you've surely seen that numerous times.

The throw to 1st, though, you're right. He wouldn't get as many balls in the hole, but he would be square for that throw.

(but surely that extra range to the side where more balls are hit outweighs that ability to throw without first squaring yourself)

I'm surprised that major league teams have not caught on to this over the past 140 years.

is uncleal back?