The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-04-07
How To PLAY Third Base
BY HEINIE GROH
Viii Never Play Another Game with Cincii

tEDITOR'S NOTE, The following ar
tfcle was written by Heinie GrOh,
greatest third baseman in the land. Its
purpose II to school the youngster In
the tricks Of third base play. While 1t
is of the most vital interest to young
STEERS, IT also furnishes splendid read
ing for the adult fan, for IT details the
methods which GrOh used to reach
baseball greatness.
Groh's article Is the fourth of a
series that Is appearing in this column
other contributors are Ty Cobb, iris
Speaker, Grover Alexander, Steve
O'Neill and Wilbert Robinson. Articles
by George sislsr. Eddie Collins and
column previously. TOmOrrOvs's article
will he ..How to- Play the OutfieId" by
iris Speaker.)
My baseball career didn't begin at
third base. l had no early schooling
in play at the difficult corner. What
know about guarding the far sack is
something that learned through the
years of observing the truly greats
on the job there.
When l was placed at third, adopt
ed the policy of watching the opposing
third baseman at work. I'd discover
the good points in his play as well
as his faults. initiated the plays that
were good, guarded carefully against
making the same mistakes he did, and
in time, with such foundation, work
ed out system of third base play
which is more or less my own.
But l always keep in mind that one
is never too old to learn" Every
day I'm out on that ball field, I'm
watching the other fellows at work at
third. And each new day l usually
discover something about third basing
that is helpful to me. For it is my
aim to improve, improve and improve
still more.
Outlines Play.
] adopted style of play at third a
little different than most of the other
fellows. l have tested it out for sew
eral years and never found it wanting
And because ! feel that the play is a
mighty good one, I'm going to out
line it for the youngsters who are
striving to become good third base
men.
Play very close to the bag.
! noticed that our club got a great
many hits by driving the ball over the
bag or very near to it. The reason we
hit safely so often was that the third
baseman played a little too far away
from the sack to reach those whist.
ling drives. Usually they went for
| two baggers.
l used to stand rather far off from
the bag and the other batters would
whang the ball right past me, too
They were too far away for me to
! reach. So shifted over nearer to the
bag and found that the number of my
assists increased. | moved still
farther toward the line-played al
| most on the bag itself, especially
! when a right handed batter was up.
Stops Other Side
And after that | made more and
still more assists. Sometimes, oil
course, couldn't handle those drives
for putouts, but l usually managed tt
knock them down and hold them fol
| infield singles. And by doing that
stopped the other side from scoring
runs.
So, play very close to the bag
You'll find that most of the drives
will be right at you. Rarely does the
ordinary batter hit to your gloved
side. Most smashes toward third are
along the baseline. Only a few go be
tween the third baseman and the
shortstop. And, when they do, the
| chances are that the ShOrtstop car
grab them.
| Don't be afraid of the ball-and nev
er be afraid of making an error Many
! third basemen, seeing a hard hit ball
let it pass by rather than make {
stab for it. They're afraid they nigh
fail to handle it clearly and so b'
charged with an error. Dontslet er
rors worry you. Stop that ball in it:
progress-no matter what the cost.
Only fellow with faint of yellow
is afraid OF making an error
| Now about playing bunt:
First of all. figure out whether you