How To Play Shortstop SS

The shortstop is one of the most important players on the field. It is also the most popular and in my opinion, most glorified position, on the field. Many right handed batters will pull the baseball on the ground to the shortstop. While that is not the only way the shortstop gets any baseballs his way, it is in a lot of instances.

The shortstop is usually one of the better fielders on the team. It is someone who has a lot of range and can cover a lot of ground (get to a lot of balls and make a lot of plays). Shortstops must have good arms as well because they will sometimes have to make a throw from the back of the infield, across the diamond to the first baseman. In some cases, they will even be moving away from where they need to throw the baseball. This takes a very strong arm and very athletic shortstop.

With nobody on base, most shortstops will set up in the back of the infield by the outfield grass with equal distances between 2nd base and the range of the 3rd baseman. With a runner on first the shortstop will be in "double play depth" which is a couple steps forward and a couple steps toward second base. This makes it easier for the shortstop to get to second in case the 1st or 2nd baseman get a ball to turn a double play. With a runner on second, the shortstop will stay behind the runner, sometime jab stepping to hold the runner close to second base. The shortstop can give a "daylight" pick to the pitcher by running to second base with his glove open. This tells the pitcher to turn and throw the baseball to the shortstop at second base.

When a runner is stealing from first to second the middle infielders should first know who is going to cover the bag. Usually the shortstop will communicate who he wants to cover the bag by closing his mouth indicating "me" or opening his mouth indicating "you" (the second baseman). Usually he will put his glove in front of his face to hide his signs from the other team.

When you are turning a double play, you want to get the baseball to the second baseman as quickly as possible. Try throwing the baseball to his chest just before he reaches second base. This will allow the second baseman to react accordingly to the runner and how he is going to turn the double play.

When you are covering second on a double play you should get to the bag as soon as possible and if you have time, straddle the bag. This will allow you to react to the throw and to the runner at the same time. If the throw is off to one side or the other, shuffle to the side keeping your inside foot intact with the base. Let your momentum carry you away from the base after you catch the baseball, and the redirect your momentum toward first base as you go to make the throw. If you get a chest high throw, you can decide which way you want to go depending on the runner. In the best case scenerio, you will catch the baseball on you glove side, chest high, touch the base with your right foot as you are getting momentum toward first to throw the baseball. It's almost like you are dragging your foot across the back of the bag as you are setting up to throw. Read turning the double play for more specifics. LINK

By the way, chicks dig shortstops!