No. 1, The Double Play: Marty McManus says - the secret of the double play is quick, accurate throwing. Whether the shortstop or the second baseman starts the play, he must feed his throw to the "pivot man" shoulder high on his right side (see drawing), so that the latter can catch the ball and relay it to first almost in a single motion. Strong throwing arms are important to the players on either side of second base, because the completion of the double play depends largely on the speed of the relay-throw to first base.