Coaching Third Base Harder Than It Looks
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) - He can be the smartest and dumbest person in a Pirates uniform, all in the same inning and he doesn't even play.
It's third base coach Rick Sofield. The 58-year-old has been in pro baseball for 41 years and yet every fan feels they can do his job better.
Sofield has waved home the game-winning run and stopped game-deciding rallies with one arm motion. It's not a decision he takes lightly, Sofield said he often takes the consequences home with him, admitting he's a bad loser.
"It's amazing how much time and effort we spend on video," Sofield said of coaching third base. "It's God given instincts you have to trust most of all, but there is a ton of information that goes into making decisions. The crack of the bat is the truth whether we are prepared or not. The crack of the bat can be very humbling. It's a constant battle emotionally and mentally to make the right call, as well as the players."
Sofield said he's scanning constantly and trying to visualize balls that are and aren't good to send a runner. He says he wants to be as aggressive as humanly possible without "getting in the way of ourselves."
Just to give you an idea of how complex a single decision is, here is what Sofield says he is considering before giving a green light or putting his hands up:
• The scoreboard
• The situation itself
• Who is on deck
• Who is coming up
• who is swinging the bat well
• Who's not swinging the bat well
• Who's running
• Who's instinctively-gifted on the bases
• Who is fast, who is not.
• Plus defensively: throwing arms, athleticism in the outfield, relays and cut-offs, infielders' abilities to throw and get out on cut-offs and relays, body position on cut-offs and relays.
"You grab all of that on the crack of the bat and have it work for you," Sofield said.
Sofield says he'll be better at those decisions during his second year at third this season.
"I don't think you ever see all of the situations in life, you are always learning," Sofield said. "They are always tumbling at you like a tidal wave; each situation keeps coming and each situation you learn every night."
He's known Clint Hurdle since the two started pro ball on competing class A teams in the Midwest. Each were teenagers then, they aren't now. But you may not know that from Sofield's energy. One of the most enthusiastic employees you will ever see, in any walk of life.
"It's God given, it's a blessing and a curse," Sofield said of his energy, noting he won't get tired physically or emotionally. "My wife will kick me in the shins because of it and it's probably what attracted her to me."