Quote: Originally Posted By hughesjr on 3/02/2009
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. [A]

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. [B]

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. [C]



A,B.) Any infielder who can't backhand a grounder or a line drive isn't an infielder. Your premise is weak at best.

C.) In position to make a throw, yes, but you're still clinging to a mistaken idea about range.

The single most important play that a -handed 3B almost cannot make at all hasn't been mentioned yet, and that is charging a bunt and throwing to first.

Edit: Oops, I see it was just mentioned. Well done.

Quote: Originally Posted By coolio4433 on 3/02/2009I'd bunt often on a y throwing 3B

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

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

Quote: Originally Posted By schedule1 on 3/02/2009i made a video of my LH 3B in ruth league turning a double play, but by bench coach forgot the cord from the camera to the computer.

Quote: Originally Posted By schedule1 on 3/02/2009in all seriousness, throwing for 3Bs doesn't mean anything in HBD. it really should. there was a guy in LEG a few years ago, ben lofton, who was incredible at 3B with awful AA and AS ratings