The SS's reverse pivot

Segment 31 in "trick or treat"month.

One of the trickier moves an infielder can make is when he throws to a base to catch an unsuspecting runner. This is never more evident than when the SS throws behind a runner rounding 3B.

Here is how it works.

Runners on 1st and 2nd or bases loaded. Ground ball to the 2B or 1B where the SS comes across the bag to turn the double play. However, the SS realizes that he doesn't have a chance to complete the double play for whatever reason. Rather than attempting to record the second out the conventional way at 1B the SS tries the unconventional.

After receiving the ball he reverse pivots and fires to an awaiting 3B hoping the runner has rounded 3B to try and pick up the flight of the ball to 1B. Many times this runner will round the base and casually watch the remaining play unfold.

However, the alert SS fires in behind the runner at 3B to record a very unconventional second out.

One very important thing to note is that the 3B must be very alert to this play. The last thing you would want is a SS throwing the ball to a 3B who isn't paying attention.

Furthermore, the play works best when the second out on the double play isn't an inning ender. Typically, the runner will be sent home if the back end of a double play is an inning ender. It wouldn't look to good to throw to 3B while the runner is sprinting home.

It is a play that must be practiced and rehersed before a SS attempts it. But, it certainly does like great when it catches an unsuspecting baserunner.