Short Stop

The short stop is a right handed thrower who is agile with the ability to cover a lot of ground quickly. She has a strong arm and a good glove.

The starting spot for her would be two steps less than 2/3 of the way toward 2nd base from 3rd base and four steps behind the base line for a right handed batter. If a left handed batter is up, I would move them two steps forward and two steps closer to the 2nd base. If you are coaching an 8U or 10U team, move them up one step in front of the base line for a right handed batter and two steps closer for a left handed batter.

If the batter squares to bunt with no runner on or a runner on 1st base, the short stop should be covering 2nd base. If there is a runner on 2nd base, she should cover 3rd base.

If the ball is hit to the 1st base side of her, her angle of pursuit should be directly at 2nd base. If she ends up fielding the ball, with a runner on 1st base, she could make the play at 2nd herself or throw/toss the ball to the 2nd base player who would be covering the base. If there is no runner on base and she fields the ball, she would make the throw to 1st base. If she does not field the ball, she would be in position to cover 2nd base. If there is a runner on 2nd or 3rd and no runner on 1st, she should check the runner. What I mean by that is pause for just a split second and look at the lead base runner. If the runner takes of for the next base, the short stop could make a play on her, but more than likely the runner will see the fielder looking at her and choose to not put herself in a position to be put out. If the runner decides not to take off, then the play can be made at 1st.

If the ball is hit to the right of her, she would take a pursuit angle directly at 3rd base. If she can field the ball within a few steps, she could (with a runner on 1st base) make the throw to 2nd base where the 2nd base player is covering. If she has to take more than 3 or 4 steps to field the ball, she probably would not get the runner at 2nd so she should get the runner at 1st. It is wonderful to get the lead runner out, but if there is little to no chance, get the sure out. If there is no runner on base, she would make the throw to 1st base. If the 3rd base player is able to field the ball, the short stop would just continue following her pursuit angle to 3rd base where she would then have that base covered in case of a throw there. Again, this is why it is important for the fielders to review and rehearse the situation and what they would do if the ball were to be hit to them in their heads between every pitch.

If the ball is hit to the right of her, she would take a pursuit angle directly at 3rd base. If she can field the ball within a few steps, she could (with a runner on 1st base) make the throw to 2nd base where the 2nd base player is covering. If she has to take more than 3 or 4 steps to field the ball, she probably would not get the runner at 2nd so she should get the runner at 1st. It is wonderful to get the lead runner out, but if there is little to no chance, get the sure out. If there is no runner on base, she would make the throw to 1st base. If the 3rd base player is able to field the ball, the short stop would just continue following her pursuit angle to 3rd base where she would then have that base covered in case of a throw there. Again, this is why it is important for the fielders to review and rehearse the situation and what they would do if the ball were to be hit to them in their heads between every pitch.

If a hit goes into right field, she would react by moving that direction and end up covering 2nd base for a throw into the infield. If the hit goes into left field, again, the natural reaction of going after the ball would draw her toward the left fielder that could then make a short accurate throw to her who would act as a cutoff person. The cutoff person could then redirect the throw to another base if needed and because of the shorter throw (than all the way from the outfield) make a more accurate throw.

Center field hits are a little more of a grey area. I would recommend that center field be divided in half. If the hit is to the right side of straight away center, she would cover 2nd base, if it is to the left side, she would go out for the cut off. If it is straight away center field, my opinion is to have the player who is closest to 2nd base be the cut off person. The difference in distance from 2nd base would be caused by shifting for a right or left handed batter.

I would use her to cover 2nd or 3rd in stealing situations. Have them cheat over two steps toward the base likely to be stolen. she has a better view of the play developing at 2nd base than the 2nd base player. If there is a runner on 2nd base, she can see the runner take off and she can take off for 3rd and arrive ahead of the base runner. The 3rd base player should be playing up for a possible bunt and retreating backwards to make the play is not an easy thing to do.

The 2nd base and short stop players have priority over the entire infield for pop flies. The only players that have priority over them on pop flies are the outfielders. If you hear an outfielder call for a catch, get out of their way. If you have a better angle on an infield pop fly, speak up and make sure your team mates hear you.

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