With his positioning being deeper than the third baseman, the shortstop is able to cover more ground and field more of these ground balls. Most hitters are right-handed, and right-handed hitters have a tendency to pull the ball to the left side of the infield. Regardless of where people stand on this debate, they all typically agree that teams must place an emphasis on the shortstop position. Others would argue that catcher is more difficult because of the physical demands of the position.
Because of this, some consider it to be the most difficult position on the field. Is Shortstop the Most Difficult Position on the Field?Īs one can see, the shortstop has many responsibilities that don’t necessarily relate to fielding ground balls and fly balls.
For ground balls hit to the right side of second base with a runner on first, the shortstop covers second on double-play attempts. With a left-handed hitter who normally pulls the ball at the plate, the shortstop is normally charged with covering second on stolen bases. Cover second base on stolen base attempts. The shortstop also sometimes calls pickoff plays to second. Simple hand signals relay this information. Some teams charge their shortstop with the responsibility of controlling how many looks the pitcher gives the runner on second. Control the running game with a runner on second base. He simply holds up the number of outs with his fingers in between at-bats to relay this information. The shortstop is expected to know the number of outs at all times and is charged with sharing it with the whole defense. Relay the number of outs to the rest of the infielders and outfielders. On any ball hit to the left side of the outfield, the shortstop is the cutoff man on throws to second and third base. Serve as a cutoff man on throws from the outfield. If he calls for the ball, everyone else must let him have it. Because of where he is positioned and his strong defensive ability, the shortstop has priority over all other infielders on fly balls in the infield. Take priority on fly balls in the infield. The shortstop should attempt to cover as much ground as possible, but he normally has priority on ground balls hit between second base and where the third baseman is positioned. Field ground balls on the left side of second base. This defensive position has several responsibilities that include the following: 6.3 Do shortstops have to play in the same spot every play? What Does a Shortstop Do?Ī shortstop is considered to be one of the most important, if not the most important, positions on the field. 6.2 What number is the shortstop position on the lineup card?. 6.1 Why don’t left-handed throwers play shortstop?. 2 Is Shortstop the Most Difficult Position on the Field?. It is one of the more complex positions in baseball, so here is some more in-depth information about playing shortstop. Many consider the shortstop to be the captain of the infield because of where he is located on the diamond and all that he is asked to do. His position mirrors that of the second baseman. In baseball, the shortstop is positioned between second and third base. Still, at all levels of baseball, the shortstop is one of the most important positions on the field for any team that wants to succeed defensively. Whether or not that player goes on to play shortstop for his future teams depends on his development as an infielder as the position becomes more complex and requires more skill than athleticism. Everyone wants to do it, and usually, the most athletic kid on the team gets to play there. Also, as an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.Īt early levels of baseball, playing shortstop is like playing quarterback in peewee football. 
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