Braves Perfectly Execute 5-2-3 Double Play Against Marlins

Written By

Xan Barksdale

The Atlanta Braves perfectly executed a double play on a force play at home last night, in their season opener against the Miami Marlins.

Click the play button to watch the video below, and then I’ll point out a few of the key things that Christian Bethancourt did well.

Here are the 3 things that made this play picture perfect:

1. He fielded the ball with his right foot on home plate (just like a first baseman).
2. Once he caught the ball he created a throwing lane to first base, clearing himself of the runner.
3. He delivered a perfect throw in fair territory that the first baseman could easily catch.

There are two different sets of footwork that I teach in the Catching-101 DVD for force plays at home plate.  The first is when the ball is hit to the middle of the field (P, SS, 2B), and the second is for when the ball is hit to the corner infielders.  Christian Bethancourt of the Braves executed it exactly how I teach how to do it!

Here is a video from my YouTube instructional series that goes over some drills for plays at the plate:

Be sure to leave a comment below and let me know what you think about this article!

Written By

Xan Barksdale