Gil Mcdougald On The Art Of Infielding

Gil McDougald came to the New York Yankees from the minor leagues in 1951 and was the Yankees ' regular third baseman the next two seasons, though frequently switching over to fill in at second base. In 1954 he became the regular second baseman, filling in from time to time at third. In 1956 he became the regular shortstop, filling in now at both second and third. In all three of these demanding positions he has displayed extraordinary fielding ability; it is unlikely that any other man in major league history has played with such consistently high skill at so many infield positions. McDougald 's success rests as much on his constant study of infielding as on his great natural physical attributes.

THE DOUBLE PLAY

SHORTSTOP Four ways to make the pivot

1. RIGHT FOOT, LEAP AND FLIP
2. ACROSS BASE TO RIGHT-FIELD SIDE
3. MOUND SIDE OF SECOND
4. BACKING OFF

SECOND BASEMAN Four ways to make the pivot

1. RIGHT FOOT, LEAP AND FLIP
2. MOUND SIDE OF SECOND
3. BEYOND BASE ON LEFT-FIELD SIDE
4. BACKING OFF

The infielder is always thinking of the double play, two outs. Because of this he is always thinking of the pivot, the relay of the ball from second base on to first. The pivot is easier for the shortstop because he comes into the bag moving toward first base. The second baseman, on the other hand, is usually moving almost directly away from first. He has to come to second, take the throw for the force-out, and then turn and throw back to the first baseman. He cannot be running as he takes the pivot. He must get to the bag and be set when the throw comes to him. Actually, the second baseman runs hard until he's four or five feet from the base. Then he jockeys in, sort of bouncing from one foot to the other, like a boxer, with his knees bent so that he can move either way for the throw. With the shortstop, it's different. He sprints for the bag, slows a little as he nears it, and then, when he sees where the throw to him is, sprints again and hits the bag at speed.

The second baseman has four standard ways of making the pivot (drawings above). The fastest way (1) is to jockey into second base, straddle the bag with your right foot just touching it, take the throw and make a fast fliplike relay on to first. As you throw, lift your left foot or leap into the air off your right foot to avoid the sliding base runner. If (2) the throw is to the pitcher's side of the base, hop to the left in toward the mound, drag your right foot over the bag and throw from inside the baseline. If the throw is to the left-field side of the base (3), hop to the right, drag your left foot over the bag and throw to first from behind the base. Finally (4), you can come into the base, tag it with your left foot, and then push back toward right field as you throw.

The shortstop (opposite page) has no standard pivot; there are many variations. The fastest way (1) is to hit the base with your right foot and make a fast flip throw to first, jumping in the air to avoid the runner. It's hard to learn, but it's quick and efficient. The most popular shortstop pivot (2) is to brush the base with your right foot as you slide across it to the right-field side. Throw on to first from outside the baseline. If (3) the throw comes on the pitcher's side of second, hop to the right, brush the bag with your left foot and throw to first from inside the baseline. Another way (4) is to come in, hit the base with your left foot and then back off toward left field as you throw to first.

The good double-play man pivots a number of different ways. Otherwise, baserunners will know where to slide to upset his throw and break up the double play.