| To fellow coaches and parents, | | | | second or third base to save a run. "Looking |
| If you ask youngsters which position they want | | | | back" the runner is just a brief glance at the |
| to play, many would say shortstop. While many | | | | runner to freeze them and stop their momentum |
| players want to play shortstop, only a few really | | | | to whatever base they are trying to advance to. |
| can. The shortstop must have good range, which | | | | Simply not looking back a runner will let an |
| means a good quick lateral movement. The | | | | average base runner move up a base they should |
| shortstop must be quick to react to sharply hit | | | | not have. |
| balls, getting into a fielding position for a backhand | | | | Taking charge of pop ups, and directing other |
| in a flash. Shortstops should have strong throwing | | | | fielders on who should catch them on the left side |
| arms to make long throws in the hole, or to get | | | | of the infield is another duty of the shortstop. |
| runners on slow rollers. | | | | With a runner at second base, the shortstop |
| They must be agile enough to run down | | | | should use the "daylight play"to keep the runner |
| humpback liners or pop ups in shallow left field. | | | | close. |
| The shortstop must be able to make numerous | | | | When the shortstop uses the daylight play, they |
| plays from a wide range of spots in the field. | | | | start out the play five or 6 ft. behind second |
| Their responsibilities include taking throws on steal | | | | base, 4 ft. down the baseline towards third. As |
| attempts, covering or holding runners at second | | | | the runner begins their leadoff, the shortstop |
| base. They must back up second and third base | | | | quickly comes up right behind the base runner, |
| on steal attempts. The shortstop makes take | | | | looking at length of their leadoff. |
| defense signs from the bench. They often get | | | | If the shortstop determines lead is too large, they |
| the defense set for the next play. Many times, | | | | quickly cut towards second base, holding out their |
| shortstops aren't the biggest or strongest players | | | | glove arm as a signal for the pitcher to make a |
| on the field. They are usually one of the best | | | | pickoff attempt. If the shortstop determines the |
| athletes on the team however. | | | | lead is safe, they will quickly shuffle to the right |
| Shortstops must be willing to keep working on | | | | back towards their position. |
| their skills, even during the off-season if they | | | | When the pitcher, who is in the set position, sees |
| want to continue to play the position. The | | | | daylight between the runner and the shortstop, |
| shortstop must be able to learn to judge the field | | | | they start their delivery towards home plate. This |
| conditions and adjust accordingly. During warm ups | | | | daylight play gets rid of most of the running back |
| before the game, they see how the field is | | | | and forth by the shortstop and second baseman. |
| affecting grounders. If it is a fast track, they will | | | | Keeping the runner close to second is very |
| play back some. Grass infields or slower infields | | | | important for obvious reasons. The daylight play |
| will allow them to play in somewhat. | | | | also helps keep middle infielders in position more |
| Mindset is so important at short, because there | | | | often to field baseballs. It reduces the pitcher |
| may be more than one play you could choose to | | | | inducing a ground ball, only to see it go through |
| make on any hit ball. Knowing whether to go for | | | | the infield for a hit because the infielders were |
| a play at the plate with less than two outs must | | | | late getting back to their positions. |
| be determined, and thought about before they | | | | These are just a few of the scenarios faced by |
| receive the ball. If your team is up by five runs, | | | | shortstops. I will cover more in upcoming articles. |
| throw to first base. When your team is down by | | | | Please encourage your youth baseball players to |
| three runs it becomes an option for the out at | | | | stay upbeat and positive even after mistakes. |
| the plate. | | | | You can lead the way by staying that way |
| Strong armed shortstops can hold a runner. Alert | | | | yourself. |
| shortstops look back an average runner at | | | | |