"Coach Dunns Quick Pitches" -- By Coach Jack Dunn

THIS PARTICULAR ARTICLE FROM COACH DUNN FIRST APPEARED IN THE NEWSLETTER IN APRIL 2001. WE WILL RUN PART II IN DECEMBER.

The Double Play via the Free Right Foot Part I

Often referred to as the "Pitcher's Best Friend," the double play is the most spectacular play in baseball. Six to four to three is music to the coach's ears if his team is on defense.

The double play can "snuff-out" a rally, break up an opponent's big inning, and permit playing the infield deep in crucial situations.

The double play is a vital component of a solid defensive team. The ability to make consistently the double play when it presents itself means winning games and achieving a winning season.

Webster defines pivot as, "A point on which something turns; a person or thing on or around which something turns or depends; a central point." In a baseball context, the second baseman is this central point, and the double play depends largely upon how skillfully he executes this pivot.

Team success is directly related to the second baseman's ability to make the double play since those double plays involving him are the most difficult to complete.

The following are things that should be considered when teaching the second baseman how to make the double play:

1. Be There In Time: The most important factor in making the double play is getting to the base before the ball arrives. In order to do so, the second baseman will have to cheat; he must move in toward the baseline and a step or two nearer second base whenever the possibility of a double play exists.

   How far the second baseman "cheats" (in and over) toward second base will depend upon individual quickness and agility and will vary from player to player.

   Regardless of the number of moves the second baseman may possess he will have difficulty using any of them except merely catching the ball and stepping on the base when he is late. A late arrival to the base will increase the chances of a bad throw because the second baseman presents a moving target to the infielder throwing him the baseball. In addition, he will have difficulty moving laterally while striding directly toward the base. A perfect throw to him is necessary if he is late.

2. Get One For Sure: The second baseman's primary responsibility is to make the put out at second base, not to throw the runner out at first base. An inexperienced second baseman tends to become overly concerned about making the put out at first base. This eagerness usually results in no one being put out. Missing the runner going to first base is of little consequence when compared to the catastrophic effects of the base runners being safe at both first and second bases.

3. Maintain Lateral Movement and Body Balance: As the second baseman approaches the base, his last two or three steps should be short chop steps. These steps, similar to those used by a defensive halfback in football, enable the second baseman to bring his body weight under control. With his weight under control, he is able to move laterally and increase his fielding range in the event there is a bad throw.

   Teaching Point: Draw a circle (six-foot radius) around second base. When the second baseman reaches this circle, he breaks down (choppy steps) and establishes his lateral movement.

4. Generate Throwing Rhythm: Don't Throw Flat Footed!!! Transferring the weight to the right foot just as the ball hits the glove can generate throwing rhythm. This can be done by taking a step with the right foot in the direction of the throw. This step and weight transfer will place the second baseman in rhythm to throw and in position to throw, which will result in a more accurate and powerful throw to first base. "Get to Your Right Leg," for rhythm and power. This will prevent you from throwing "flat-footed."

5. Step Directly Toward First Base: The second baseman must step directly toward first base with his left foot while completing his double play throw. If a line were to be drawn from his pivot foot to first base, the striding foot would be placed down slightly to the left of this line. Failure to step directly toward the base results in the pivot man throwing across his body. This means maximum throwing speed cannot be achieved and accuracy is impaired.

   A premature transfer of the weight to the striding foot or stepping too far to the left of the imaginary line to first base should also be avoided. This causes the throw to be made almost entirely with the arm. A weak, inaccurate throw invariably results.

6. Stay Out of the Baseline: Many pivot men use footwork, which results in their being in the baseline after making their throw. Granted that at times this is unavoidable, but being in the baseline too often results in getting dumped and possibly receiving an injury. It also forces the second baseman to decide whether or not to throw at the base runner. Inexperienced second basemen try to throw around the runner, losing all chance for the put out at first. We tell our second baseman that first base does not move and it is the runner's responsibility to slide. This has serious implications because the runner can easily be injured; however, the second baseman cannot be intimidated by the base runner. It is the coach's responsibility, more accurately his duty, to be certain that all runners know they must slide or get out of the way when going into second base in this situation.

7. Use a Compact Arm: When we consider that it takes a runner approximately 3.5 to 4.5 seconds to run to first base, it is easy to understand why the second baseman cannot afford to waste a fraction of a second in getting his throw away. One way to achieve quickness is by using a compact arm when throwing. The compact arm simply means that when the ball is caught in the glove, the glove and the ball are pushed as far to the throwing side as possible. The elbow leads the way going back and up. The wrist is above the ball, not under it - arm rhythm results from dropping the wrist and making a small counterclockwise circle with the ball. Now contrast this method with that of a full arm extension and the wrist under the ball. Obviously, this is slower, more cumbersome, and inaccurate. The compact arm means quickness.

8. Keep the Throwing Hand Near the Glove…THUMB TO THUMB: To facilitate quickness, the throwing hand should be carried alongside the glove. The ball can be removed more quickly than would be possible if the glove and ball were brought to the throwing hand. Quickness is a must. Don't play one-handed!

9. Use a Simple Pivot: For the inexperienced second baseman, the fact that he must use different footwork for different kinds of throws confuses him. The more complicated the footwork, the more difficult it will be to teach. Too many moves result in indecision on the second baseman's part as to which move is appropriate, and often becomes more of a problem than too few. This confusion and indecision places additional pressure on the second baseman. Teach a simple method.

10. Know Where the Ball Is: Many problems at second base result from the second baseman starting his pivot before he knows where the throw will be. This premature commitment by the second baseman destroys his lateral movement, fielding range, and requires that a perfect throw be made to him. The second baseman must not move until the throw has been made. The second basemen should wait until he knows where the ball is before he begins his pivot.

For more from Coach Dunn click on Coaches Corner on the JUGS® website.