unassisted triple play

Will always had a head for the game, having already made several unassisted double-plays in his short career. But nothing compared to the play he made on October 6, 2000, at the Mt. Paran Pinto Field. Will was the pitcher when the opposition’s first two batters reached base. The next batter lofted a popup behind the mound, and Will drifted back and made the catch for the first out. The runners had failed to tag, so Will, now just a few steps away from second base, stepped on the bag for out number two. The other runner was turning around to head back to first base, but he was close enough for Will to tag out. Unassisted triple play! Will had accomplished the most rare play in baseball!

Ironically, the very next inning, a line drive was hit that both the first and second basemen went after. The first baseman couldn’t catch it, taking him away from the first base bag. Will, now playing second base, charged to his left and made a running catch. He continued running and beat the runner back to first base, for an unassisted double play. But he wasn’t finished yet! Will fired the ball across the diamond to the third-baseman, and narrowly missed turning a second triple play in two straight innings.

I was lucky to witness all this. Without a car on my Charlotte business trip, it was decided to lunch before beginning the return trip. We arrived at the office at five, then I hitched a ride home with another co-worker. By this time my only hope was to catch the family at the field before they left. But the game had started late, and Will's A's were taking the field for the fateful triple play inning as I walked up.