[acoustix]

I play in a twilight hardball league (and a beer softball league on Sunday mornings). There are virtually no left handed pitchers (at least none good enough to start) and few righties who are sophisticated enough to hit opposite field consistently, so my opinion could be swayed I suppose.

The fact the 2nd base takes hard slides doesn't make it a more physically demanding position IMO. It means it's a more dangerous position, sure. "Physically demanding" to me is more along the lines of physical exertion put into your position. Whether or not you take hard slides speaks more to the career shortening part of it I guess, but I am focusing more on the exertion. They both move a ton, whether it be diving, backing up a base, coming in for bunts, etc. In my experience, 3B is more of a physical, bust-your-butt position, while 2B is more a finesse position at it's core (barring the spikes in the shins).