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November 21, 2005
The Triple Play
I am certain that in the world of sports -- baseball and softball anyway -- a triple play is a rare thing to see. Probably an even rarer thing to participate in. And yet, I've done both.
The game was at a field not too far from Springboro, Ohio. I believe it was in Red Lion, Ohio -- certainly an out-in-the-country place in an area hard to define by city/village boundaries. Unless of course you work for a taxing authority; then you know the boundaries of your district to the inch.
It was about 1984.
I was standing on third and there was another runner on second. Our batter cranked one deep into left. It was so deep that even if it was caught I could tag and score.
I stood on the bag watching the ball sail toward the left fielder. When it became obvious he wasn't going to catch it I started a casual trot toward home with an eye over my shoulder.
At the last second the fielder threw a hand up and snagged the ball. It was an amazing catch. First out. I wasn't going to be able to get back to the bag to tag up and then make the trip home.
I turned to go back to the bag. The runner from second was barreling toward third and did one of those things where your sort of ski to a stop and throw your arms around to keep your balance. He was about a foot away from the bag when he fell back on one hand.
I KNEW the left fielder wasn't going to try to throw me out. The runner trying to hustle back to second was a much better target.
I was a bit demoralized by the boneheaded mistake I'd made by not waiting for the ball to drop. Had I stayed on third I could have tagged. I could have scored. Instead, I'd gone too far toward home to make it back to third, tag, and score. I walked back toward third, disgusted with myself.
Fortunately this self-disgust wouldn't last long. It would be replaced with a whole new level of disgust as the left fielder gunned me down on my way back to the bag. Second out.
WHAT!? He should have been going for the runner from second! Sure ... I should have hustled back to the bag. But, still, he should have been going for the runner from second.
That thrill was left for the third baseman. And really, it didn't take much of a throw. Our runner didn't have any type of chance. Third out.
Talk about putting a team in a funk. We didn't have a chance after that.
But now, 21 years, later I can say I participated in a triple play. And, from my enviable position -- between third and home and walking toward the action -- I had a birds-eye view of the whole thing.
Posted by delmer at November 21, 2005 10:14 AM
Comments
Just be glad you didn't hurt yourself.
Posted by: The Phoenix at November 21, 2005 9:35 PM
Reminds me of a play I was involved in.
Fly to 2nd base, guy on first was an idiot and kept running to second and was tagged out, player who was on second couldent tag up in time. 2nd Baseman got a triple play by himself without moving more then 10 feet.
Posted by: Mini Chate at November 22, 2005 8:24 AM
Phoenix: Back then it would have never even crossed my mind that I might get hurt. Today I don't make a move without considering the long-term effects said move.
Mini Chate: Ahh. Idiot players. Reminds me of another story.
Posted by: delmer at November 22, 2005 9:51 AM