On a double play, the second baseman steps on the bag with his right foot and then hop to his right to get out of the base runner’s path before throwing to first. This method, as shown in Figure 53, is the way Joe Cronin used to complete the play.
When there is a runner on first like the aggressive Eddie Stanky, he must be doubly alert. On a ball hit to the second baseman Stanky will do all he can to knock a player off his feet to spoil his chances of completing the double play.
The keeper of the keystone sack must be able to field ground balls well. Figure 55 shows how Joe Gordon, Cleveland second baseman, does it. Note how Joe stays close to the ground by bending at the knees and hips with the feet comfortably spaced. As he fields the ball, he throws it to first from a half-crouched position (Fig. B). On slow ground balls Joe charges in fast, scoops the ball up with his bare hand, and uses a fast underhand toss to beat the hitter to the bag.
Figure 57 shows how Second Baseman Eddie Stanky catches a runner trying to steal. Eddie straddles the bag and holds the ball in the gloved hand near the ground in front of the base while the runner slides into the ball.
Study the batting habits of your opponents. This was the secret of Charley Gehringer, great second baseman of the Tigers. Know your shortstop and work very closely with him. Know who is going to cover second base. When the shortstop is the pivot man on a double play, toss the ball to him a little above the waist and to his right, so he can touch the base and side arm his throw to first.
