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Baseball Basics: The Unassisted Triple Play

Posted by on 11 November 2011, 3:47 am

 

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Colorado Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki turned an unassisted triple play back in 2007. Image via Wikipedia

“What is the hardest play in baseball?”

“The unassisted triple play.”

Does this question ring a bell at all? Maybe from a Holiday Inn Express commercial that played a million times throughout the regular season.

The ad wizards behind that one should be ecstatic because I have been asked to explain the unassisted triple play more times than I can count, because of that commercial. And ironically, it has been mostly girl friends and very mild baseball fans that have been so curious about the what, how and why of the unassisted triple play.

So, what is the definition of an unassisted triple play?

An unassisted triple play is when a defensive player gets all three outs on his own, within the same play. No other defensive player can touch the baseball or contribute in any way.

What happens in a “typical” unassisted triple play?

In a “typical” unassisted triple play there would be runners on first and second, and categorically there can be no outs in the inning.

The two base runners’ call for a hit and run, which entails both taking off the moment the ball leaves the pitchers hand. Basically it is like getting a head start.

Then the batter hits a line drive right at the shortstop, or second baseman that happens to be positioned close to second base. The SS or 2B catches the ball on the fly (out #1), then proceeds to touch second base (out #2) and then tags the runner who came from first (out #3).

Why are shortstops and second basemen purposely used in the example? Continue reading ‘Baseball Basics: The Unassisted Triple Play’ »

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Baseball Basics: What Is A 6-4-3 Double Play?

Posted by on 25 May 2011, 10:26 pm

What is a 6-4-3 Double Play?

That is a question I get all the time from friends of mine, so much recently that I thought I would explain why announcers will refer to an out in this way.

When a team is playing defense, meaning the players are in the field each of the nine positions is assigned a number.

Please look at the diagram below:

1 - pitcher

2 – catcher

3 – first baseman

4 - second baseman

5 – third baseman

6 – shortstop

7 – left fielder

8 – center fielder

9 – right fielder

 

As you can see each number corresponds with a specific position.

A 6-4-3 Double Play is just one example of the specific sequence of how an out was made.

In this case it means the ball went from the shortstop, who threw it to the second baseman, who to the first baseman resulting in two outs.

Here is another example from MLB.com:

If the hitter grounds out to shortstop, for example, write in “6-3,” which shows the shortstop threw him out at first base. If the hitter flies out to left field, write a “7.”

If you were unfamiliar with this kind of explanation, I bet you didn’t realize how simple a formula was used.

Hope this helps, and please email me or leave a comment with any more questions if you are still confused at all.

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New York Yankees: Oh No Now Robbie Cano Is Day-To-Day

Posted by on 2 May 2011, 3:30 am

Brain Lewis of the New York Post reports that a bruised left-hand was the reason New York Yankees second-baseman Robinson Cano left the game in the eighth inning.

The Yankees had Cano get x-rays and they came back fine.

Cano is listed as day-to-day, which has Yankee fans on high alert, as Cano is one of the best hitters and all-around players in baseball. Losing Cano would be devastating, as he has been the most consistent bat on the team.

Cano is tied for fourth in the majors with eight home-runs, batting a whooping .320 and has 21 RBIs already this season.

Let’s hope that Cano gets a well-deserved night off on Monday night just to be safe, as he has played every game this season.

The Yankees flew to Detroit after the 5-3 win against the Blue Jays, to play a four game set against the Tigers.

 

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Reviewing Top Three American League East Teams

Posted by on 28 June 2010, 5:37 am

The AL East is proving itself worthy of it’s reputation as the toughest division in baseball.

It is difficult to imagine the post-season will be without either the Yankees, Red Sox or Rays, who have each have won the ALCS the last three seasons. (2007-BRS; 2008-TBR; 2009-NYY)

Let’s take a look at this three-headed-beast:
 Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox were counted out way too soon, as they have been on a leap to get back into the AL East race. The crucial difference has been Boston’s middle line-up is finally hot , as Big Papi, Victor Martinez and Marcus Scutaro are taking some pressure of Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia.

The Red Sox have missed the rapid lead-off bat of center-fielder Jacob Ellsbury. Ellsbury has only played for nine games this season due to broken ribs. He is set to return after the All-Star Break, which will only help the Red Sox get better.

The greatest surprise is the pitching rotation, sans ace Josh Beckett, who’s been plagued by a bad back for a few seasons. John Lester has filled in as the team’s ace, with solid starts by Daisuke Matsuzaka, John Lackey, Tim Wakefield and the pleasant surprise of Clay Buchholz, who leads the team with a 2.45 ERA.

Buchholz left during his last start after hyper-extending his left knee but is said to be fine. Boston has gotten solid outings from the Boston bullpen, and closer Jonathan Papelbaum has been substantial, but he cannot give up back-to-back saves like he did in Colorado anymore.

J.D. Drew is back since being on the DL since June 18th, but the Red Sox recent luck has not fared regarding injuries. All-star second-baseman Dustin Pedroia was placed on the 15-day DL with a fracture of the navicular bone in his left foot, which is typically a minimum six-week recovery. This is a monumental loss as Pedroia is the best player, both athletically and emotionally on the team.

Add Victor Martinez  to the injury list, but not the DL yet as the catcher took two foul tips off his left thumb. Martinez says it is just pain and plans not to miss any time, but will know more after he gets checked out.

Terry Francona is saying all his prayers before bed tonight.

The replacements players like Bill Hall , Darnell McDonald and Daniel Neva are getting the job done, but Youks and Big Papi have to take this team on their shoulders right now.

One thing is for sure it’s doubtful anyone will ever question GM Theo Epstein again.

Tampa Bay Rays

Heading down south to Tampa Bay, home of the Rays who finally proved that their human by losing. The problem is their also developing and can’t seem to grasp the concept of defeat. It took them an entire season after losing the World Series in 2008 for the Rays to stop pouting, so Joe Madden needs to get attitudes in control now. Continue reading ‘Reviewing Top Three American League East Teams’ »

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Robinson Cano, Francisco Liriano take the American League’s monthlies

Posted by on 4 May 2010, 2:41 am

PRESS RELEASE

05/03/2010 5:02 PM ET

Robinson Cano, Francisco Liriano take the American League‘s monthlies

05/03/2010 5:02 PM ET

MLB.com

New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano and Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Francisco Liriano have been named the American League Player and Pitcher of the Month, respectively, for April.

In 22 games last month, Cano hit a Major League-best .400 (34-85) with five doubles, a triple, eight home runs, 21 runs scored and 18 RBI. The 27-year-old also posted a .765 slugging percentage and a .436 on-base percentage. He is one of just four Yankees in the expansion era (since 1961) to bat .400 in April (min: 50 PA), joining Clete Boyer (1962), Willie Randolph (1976) and Paul O’Neill (1994, ’96). The native of San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic reached base successfully in 21 of his 22 games in April, which included 11 multi-hit games and four multi-RBI performances. Cano also amassed two multi-homer games in April, extending his career total to six. Robinson became just the second American Leaguer to record a .400 average and eight home runs in the month of April in the expansion era, joining Boston’s Manny Ramirez in 2001. On April 24th, the lefty-hitting slugger collected four hits and three runs scored to match career-high’s en route to a 7-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. On the strength of his 10-game season-opening hitting streak, Cano extended his April hitting streak to 27 games, dating back to last season, the longest such streak in A.L. history. This marks Robinson’s second career Player of the Month Award (previous: September 2006). Continue reading ‘Robinson Cano, Francisco Liriano take the American League’s monthlies’ »

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Robby Cano Don’t You Know Well Now You Do

Posted by on 30 April 2010, 11:31 am

Robinson Cano is a darn authentic baseball player, but after years the discussion of Cano’s promise to excel seems to be unfolding.

Cano is leading baseball in hitting, with .407 avg, eight home-runs, five doubles, one triple, 17 RBI‘s and .444 OBP.

To understand the importance of Cano’s impact, just compare Albert Pujols‘ stats, a .333 Avg, seven home-runs, six doubles, zero triples, 19 RBI’s but has struck out 16 times at 84 at-bats. Cano has 81 at-bats and only 10 strike-outs, so you catch my drift.

Cano’s monster has followed him to second base, as his defense has been just as remarkable. Last night bottom of the third, Cano’s play off Orioles Nolan Reimold’s hard grounder to get the out at first will be a Web-gem for the next month.

Cano is the darling of the town in New York, and also of his team. With the Yankees power twins, Arod and Tex, still slumping away could have hurt the team if it were not for Cano. Continue reading ‘Robby Cano Don’t You Know Well Now You Do’ »

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Player Profile: Robinson Jose Cano #24 2B

Posted by on 10 March 2010, 8:31 am

Robinson Jose Cano, who is named after baseball hero Jackie Robinson, was born in 1982, in the Dominican Republic.

His father, Jose played baseball, signed by the Astros in 1980, but only played in a few major league games for the organization in 1989.

Drafted by the Yankees in 2001, Cano has been the team’s full time second baseman since May 2005.

Cano has one of the most natural swings in baseball. To witness such a relaxed power of the bat, that turns into this whipping movement is just neat to watch.

Cano’s quick and immediate success in 2006, left him just shy of winning the batting title, but was named an All-Star and won a Silver Slugger.

This drew unfair criticism for lapses at the plate in 2007 and 2008. This in turn caused any missed play in the field to be described lazy, which third-base coach, Larry Bowa made clear was far from true.

Still, this brought disappointment to fans, but it was also just enthusiasm. It is not common to see someone with Cano’s obvious, natural abilities.

Cano’s liability is he swings at everything. Slowing down to have better patienceat the plate does not work for him, and caused Cano to fight his own nature in 2008.

Overall Cano is one of the best at his position and has a cannon arm. If Arod had not re-signed in 2006, Cano could have slid right on over to third-base.

In 2009, Cano played in 161 games, most by any player league wide. In addition, Cano also had a .320 batting average (6th in AL), 204 hits (3rd in AL), .520 slugging percentage (17th in AL), 103 runs (6th in AL), .871 OPS (20th in AL) and a career high of 25 homers.

Cano started out strong and ended with the Yankees winning the World Series. No one will deny that Cano played an enormous part in the team’s success.

This season, Cano needs to be that kind-of player more than ever. He is key in the Yankees chance to repeat.

With his best buddy, Melky Cabrera headed for the Braves, Cano will have to adjust without him by his side.

At his prime age of 27, this is Cano’s year to shine. I believe Cano is up for the challenge in 2010 and will excel beyond expectations.

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