As the third baseman frequently makes long throws to first base, he or she must have a strong and precise arm. Sometimes the third baseman must throw fast to second base in order to initiate a double play. In addition, the third baseman must field fly balls in both fair and foul territory. Thus, he or she needs to be able to cover a large area quickly with accurate throws. In addition, many third basemen work with the pitching staff by giving advice on pitches. They may tell their teammates when a pitch is going too high or low, or whether or not a pitcher's arm is healthy. These are all skills that improve as you gain experience at the game you can develop yourself or with help from a coach. Finally, some third basemen handle themselves with such grace and professionalism that they become true stars within the baseball world. These players often receive contract extensions far into their young careers because no one wants to see them go. One example of this type of player is Mark DeRosa. He has continued to improve each year at the hot corner for the Florida Marlins and will likely continue to be an important part of their team for years to come. In conclusion, third basemen need strong arms under pressure, good eyes, and solid hands. However, more than anything else, they need courage to do what needs to be done even if it means making a hard throw or handling a tough error.