Play Shortstop in Baseball
Shortstop in baseball is the leader of the diamond. Shortstop is also a very fun position to play because you get a lot of balls hit to you.
Contents
Steps
Position and range
- Position yourself correctly. The most common position is halfway between second base and the person that's playing third base.
- Work on your range. A shortstop has to be able to get to many ground balls very quickly.
- A pre-pitch routine will help you get off faster. Every time the pitcher starts to pitch you should have your feet move. It could be a small step onto the ball of the foot opposing your throwing arm or a tiny hop onto the balls of both feet. The point is that you've developed a bit of impetus.
Fielding
- Field the ball cleanly. A shortstop must be able to field the ball cleanly the majority of the time unlike a second baseman. At the higher levels starting in college and maybe high school the runners are faster and the throw across the field takes longer. A dependable out at first on a grounder is expected. Practice.
Throwing ability
- Build arm strength. A shortstop also has to have a strong arm to get the ball across the diamond to the first baseman. To do this, play "long toss" (throwing over 100-150 feet) for at least five minutes each time you warm up. Start slow and don't hurt your arm by trying to throw that far on a line. A nice arch is fine until you build strength.
- Be able to throw accurately from all angles. This is where good footwork is a must.
- Know your roles. If a ball is hit to left field the shortstop has to be the cut-off man on the play.
- Release quickly. There is no point in having a fast throw if you cannot release the ball in time.
- Know the situation. Before the pitcher pitches, take a look and remember where the base runners and fielders are positioned. This is so that you know where to throw to when you get the ball, which is extremely important since the ball will go to you most of the time.
- Be a leader. After the catcher, the shortstop directs the infield. Decide who's going to back up the throw back to the pitcher, who will be taking the throw on a pickoff and whether your infield is positioned correctly are some of the shortstops responsibilities.
Tips
- Don't be afraid to get in front of the ball. Block it with your chest. If you get a bruise on your chest, its there for a day or two and then it goes away. If a ball gets by you and a run scores, that run stays in the records and the score book forever.
- Shortstops have to work hard on ground balls and throwing. They also have to take a lot of cuts in the batting cage. A good hitting and fielding shortstop can get you far. Also working out in a weight room (not for young kids under 13 or 14) and running a lot will build your body for baseball.
- Stay hydrated.
- Good footwork requires staying off your heels and strong legs. Doing sprints up a step hill is a good way for anyone to build leg strength.
- Get down low when the pitcher winds up. Watch the batter straight off the hit, so you can be aware of where the hit is going. Your glove should touch the ground, with the opposing hand on the top part of your wrist so that it doesn't roll out of your glove or hit you in the face.
- Remember, you can be the best shortstop in the world, but if you can't hit, you won't play. Become a well-rounded player.
- In a lot of youth baseball many of the players wonder why the infielders cannot turn double plays every time like the majors. They only get the lead runner and the throw to 1st is late. This is all because your middle infielders are not positioned to turn a double play. The second base men should be 4 steps back and 4 steps over from second base, and the shortstop should be about 5 steps back and 7 over on a right handed batter. (These are you normal steps not long strides and yes, it looks really close but that's where you should play to turn two). With decent transitions you'll find that you will be turning a double play a lot more often.
- If you're on a road looking at a truck you can see if it's going fast or not, Right? stand in front of that truck, not so easy huh? so take an Angle on the ball don't let it come to you charge it on an angle For all you future Derek Jeters out there!
Warnings
- However, you must not be so concentrated on not getting hit. Put yourself out there, and remember to not be 'scared' of the ball. It doesn't feel good to be hit, but you are bound to be hit at least once in your baseball career.
- Using exercise bands is an excellent way to strengthen your shoulder and protect your rotator cuff. Do it everyday if possible and always before you throw along with stretching.
- Baseball is a rough sport. Always keep your eye on the ball; if you don't you might get drilled and that doesn't feel so good.
- Also be careful not to throw your arm out doing long toss. More than five minutes is too long
- Put your hand in front of your glove to avoid errors.
- When weightlifting focus more on correct technique then on how heavy a weight you can lift. If you can't use correct form then you're lifting too heavy a weight.
Things You'll Need
- Middle infielders' gloves tend to be smaller because they need to be able to get the ball out quickly especially when turning two.
