WebBall.com - Turning Two

Tinkers-to-Evers-to-Chance

Turning Two takes prep and practice.
Individual fielding skill sets combine into one of the most effective defensive plays in baseball, and one of the great traditions of the game, going back to the classic sequence of Tinkers-to-Evers-to-Chance. No doubt you can think of your favorite current Short-2nd combo.

To execute it perfectly, you need a clean catch, and a quick feed that's easy to see. Then, once you're sure of the first out, whatever it takes to generate a snap relay throw to first - while getting safely out of the way of an incoming runner.

FIELDING AND FEEDING

Shovel Toss - the quickest way to make the feed from double play depth. Both second and short can use this technique or the similar straight-arm toss

Second baseman does the shovel toss while fading back from the target.

Shortstop does the shovel toss best while completing a turn from the back-hand stab.

Second base can also feed by dropping to the throwing-side knee for a quick, short-arm flick into the target chest. For a hit away from the bag, a 180 glove-side turn might work better.

Shortstop might find it as easy to throw the backhand stap overhand - depending on distance from the bag. And for moving towards the bag , both shovel and straight arm tosses can work - even a feed right from the glove. (Look for animations of these other options soon.)

TIMING AND TURNING

Catch over the Bag - whenever possible. Always set up the footwork so you get some protection from the bag itself or else throw off to the side after contact for the force out.
(We will add technical illustrations to show the difference between leading the feed and trailing the feed.)

Second Base should try to come into the bag with left foot, take the feed over the bag, and plant the right foot behind the bag away from the runner.

In the hotdog version - you take the feed bare-handed and starting the throw like a fade-away jump shot.

For Shortstop, most common is to step across the bag with left foot and sweep the back edge with your right foot as you pivot towards first. If you move far enough to the side, you may not always need to jump the runner but practice the move and be prepared

Once you understand the skills, run the Double Play Drill...