DANGER AT THE CORNER

CROUCHING PERILOUSLY CLOSE TO THE BATTER, THE THIRD BASEMAN MUST COPE WITH A VARIETY OF TOUGH CHANCES-SWINGING BUNTS (SEE COVER), FOUL POPS NEAR THE DUGOUT, SMASHES TO BOTH SIDES. BUT THE TOUGHEST IS OFTEN THE LINER STRAIGHT AT HIM, AT 100 MILES AN HOUR

THE THIRD BASEMAN LIVES BY REACTION RATHER THAN SPEED. HE SELDOM HAS TO MOVE FARTHER THAN 10 FEET, BUT ON THE HARD-BOUNCING BALL TO HIS LEFT OR THE VICIOUS DRIVE PAST HIS HEAD HE MUST MOVE LIKE A SNAKE

ANY BALL WITHIN REACH IS THE SWASHBUCKLING THIRD BASEMAN'S. IF HIS DIVING LUNGE TO THE LEFT IS IN TIME, THE SHORTSTOP IS SPARED THE BACKHAND STOP DEEP IN THE HOLE AND THE LONG, LONG THROW. EVEN FROM HIS KNEES, THE THIRD BASEMAN CAN THROW OUT THE RUNNER

THE BALL IS PULLED SHARPLY DOWN THE LINE, AN APPARENT DOUBLE, BUT THE THIRD BASEMAN DIVES TO HIS RIGHT AND KNOCKS IT DOWN. IF HE SCRAMBLES UP IN TIME HE MAY STILL MAKE THE PUT-OUT. IF NOT, HE HAS AT LEAST HELD THE BATTER TO A SINGLE, OR CUT OFF A RUN

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NEIL LEIFER

ORIOLES' BROOKS ROBINSON

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NEIL LEIFER

BRAVES' EDDIE MATHEWS

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NEIL LEIFER

DODGERS' ANDY CAREY

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NEIL LEIFER

YANKEES' CLETIS BOYER

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NEIL LEIFER

PIRATES' DON HOAK