The shortstop is usually the most athletic infielder. Second basemen stand far away from the batter but have a short throw to first base. Third basemen stand close to the batter but have a long throw across the diamond.
Shortstops stand far away from the batter and they also have a long throw. Shortstops are also in charge of organizing the infield for cut off throws from the outfield to the bases.
Like the second baseman, the shortstop is around the center of the action when a baseball is hit into play. The shortstop must have good awareness of players' positions around the infield and know where to throw the baseball next. The shortstop fields many ground balls ; often he fields the most ground balls out of all the infielders. Ground balls are baseballs hit fast and low to the ground so that they bounce.
Since ground balls travel very quickly, it is important for infielders to get a hold of them quickly so they can throw the base runner out. After collecting the baseball, the shortstop often tosses it to the second baseman to begin the double play, or he throws it directly to the first baseman. There are different types of shortstops. These types are mostly defined by the type of player. There are defensive shortstops, offensive shortstops and all-around shortstops. A defensive shortstop is a shortstop who is better at the defensive side of baseball.
Defensive shortstops make few errors , they usually have good instincts and range in the field. A good defensive shortstop will also have a good arm to make tough plays at first base. Some defensive shortstops include Andrelton Simmons and Troy Tulowitski.
Offensive shortstops are the opposite of defensive shortstops. They tend to be a little worse at fielding. They might make a few more errors.
See more words from the same year. Accessed 14 Nov. More Definitions for shortstop. See the full definition for shortstop in the English Language Learners Dictionary. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! Log in Sign Up. Save Word. Definition of shortstop Entry 1 of 2. On a ball hit to the right side of the infield, the shortstop must cover the second-base bag and receive a throw from either the second baseman or, less frequently, the first baseman and make an accurate relay throw to first.
Shortstops will typically cover the second-base bag on grounders hit back to the pitcher in double-play situations, as well. A good defensive shortstop must possess excellent range, a strong throwing and an ability to field batted balls cleanly.
Several years ago, it was thought that shortstops had to be smaller, quicker players. Cal Ripken Jr. Ripken stood 6 foot 4 inches and displayed an offensive production at the position that had not been seen in a long time. Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Troy Tulowitzki, and a host of others all stood 6 foot 3 or taller helping to break the mold of what shortstops used to be. All in all, a shortstop must be quick enough to cover ground, sure-handed enough to make as few errors as possible, and have a strong enough arm to make tough throws from deep in the infield.
The most recent shortstop to make his way into the Hall of Fame is longtime Yankees captain Derek Jeter. Jeter was only one vote shy of being a unanimous selection. He had a 20 year career and eclipsed the 3, hit mark late in his tenure.
Some argued throughout his career that Jeter was never the best or most talented shortstop in the MLB, but no one can debate his consistency as both a defender and a hitter. He won several World Series titles and made clutch plays in the field and at the plate in each of them. Wagner was the first shortstop to ever be inducted into Cooperstown in He actually played every position in his Major League career except catcher, but his primary position was shortstop. He was one of the first players to bring an offensive presence to the position while also being an elite defensive player.
Left-handed throwers rarely play second base, third base, or shortstop because of the time it takes for them to square up their shoulders to make a throw to first base after fielding a ground ball.
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