The anchor to any infield is the shortstop. This athlete is usually your best physically and naturally. The shortstop's sure hand, strong arm, quick release, and foot speed are her most important assets. She has a large territory to cover with many kinds of responsibilities especially with runners on base. She must have a quick mind, be decisive, and understand the subtleties of the game. It's her job to communicate and assist the catcher in field leadership and defensive play calling. Good glove work is said to be more important than arm strength and speed for very young players. You have to stop or catch the ball before you worry about anything else. This is a challenge for beginning age youngsters. In upper age level play the girl with the best throwing arm should be chosen. It's estimated that over a third of all balls hit go to the shortstop. Thus, when you consider that a player with a good arm can generally make a good throw faster than the average runner can run safely to a base, this concept makes sense. It's also better to have a steady rather than a flashy "hot gal" type player in this position. Five out of six outs is statistically better than one great big play out in one out of six chances. Leadership is another attribute of the shortstop type.

Accountability

The shortstop has many defensive responsibilities. Here are a few of the major ones.

1.Fielding responsibilities include all ground and fly balls in an area between second base and into the outfield. Her range includes the areas between and beyond these bases, going as much as 10 to 20 feet in front of the base line and as far back of that line into the outfield as she can get to without interfering with the clear play on the ball by the left fielder. Making the play at first from deep in the hole behind third base is the true measure of a great defensive shortstop.

2. Receives throws from other players as she covers second or third base on stolen base attempts. She must know how to make tag plays and avoid runners sliding into the base.

3. Backs-up throws to second or third on steals and pickoff attempts when bases are being covered by second or third baseman respectively.

4. Backs-up throws from catcher back to pitcher with runners on.

5. Backs-up third-baseman and/or pitcher on balls hit back to them.

6. Acts as a cut off for left and/or center fielder's deep throws back into the infield or to the plate.

7. Double play responsibility with her covering second base and receiving a throw and/or with her making a throw to the second baseman covering.

8. Flashes catcher's signals to outfielder.

9. Can be part of pick off play schemes and rundown plays.

10. In bunt situations with none on or one on, she will cover second base as the second baseman will have first base coverage.

Skills

In performing her duties as shortstop, the player must learn several important skill techniques. Many of these skills are fundamental and may be common to other positions and will be reiterated when we discuss them in future issues. Initially, the shortstop must master the set or ready position wherein she prepares for action prior to the pitch.

In this position she should assume a comfortable semi-erect crouch position. The weight (head and shoulders) should be balanced and forward, with bent knees, and the feet at least shoulder width apart. The palm of the glove should be on or just above the ground and open facing the hitter as should be the throwing hand.

By being semi-erect, she can move back or from side to side more easily. From this ready position, she can utilize one of several movements to go to the ball such as a cross over step, a straight pivot step, or the dive/lunge. The cross over step covers more ground with the first step. A straight pivot step is shorter in distance but quicker to execute. In the cross over step, the first step is made towards the ball by the foot opposite the side that the ball is hit to and crossing in front of the other foot which pivots and in turn steps across the lead foot. The cross-over step can also be used to initiate a back-step as you turn to your side and then run back for balls over your head.

In the short pivot step, the foot furthest away from the ball is crossed in front of the body as you pivot on the ball side foot and reach out.

In the dive or lunge, the lunge is initiated following a short springing cross-over step to gain momentum and diving with glove extended out from the body towards the ball.

In gaining position to field a ground ball to one's side the player should seek to get an angle on the rolling ball by running in an arch-shaped path to position oneself in front of the ball to field it. In fielding the ball, assuming she got in front of it, she should react as if she were in the act of sitting down in a chair. She should spread her legs apart, lower her backside, and reach out to take the ball into her body all the while looking the ball into the glove. Keeping wrists firm but flexible provides cushioning to the ball. Closing the non-glove hand over the ball tightly traps the ball in the glove. In fielding most grounders, utilize the normal below the waste technique of letting the open hands face the ball with palms open and fingers pointing down, little fingers together and partially parallel.

A shortstop will also encounter many short fly ball and line drive situations. It's a thing of beauty to watch a shortstop snare a scorching line drive. This kind of catch is reactive and done almost in self defense. Soft, quick hands absorb the ball as it hits the glove. In catching balls above the waist, the hands come together with the thumbs pointing up and being parallel. Whenever possible the fly ball should be taken on the throwing arm side of the body and generally above shoulder level with the arms extending above the head from the sides. Positioning ones-self with the glove side shoulder pointing towards a potential target when catching the ball will assist the mechanics and momentum of a subsequent throw. In catching quick dropping fly balls in front and below the waist, keep the glove and non-glove hand extended in front. Keep the body and head down while moving to the ball. Letting the body or head pull may lose the ball under the glove. In balls hit over her head, she can, as stated above, use a cross-over step to turn and run to where she perceives the ball will land, always keeping an ear and eye open for the left fielder coming in.

A shortstop must master many kinds of throws. The deep overhand outfield type throw (over the shoulder past the ear), one of several pivot type (quick release) throws to a base, and some sort of on the move throw are a must to learn. Pivot throws are made without taking a step (from where the ball is fielded) but pivoting in the direction of the throw on the ball of the foot nearest the direction of the intended throw. Deviations on this can include taking a step after the pivot and shifting weight from the pivoting back foot to the front foot in making the overhand or side arm throw. In simplest form, a player fields a ball, shifts her weight from rear to front foot as she throws keeping her hips open - all without taking a step. Optimum running throws finds fielders fielding the ball with their weight on their throwing arm side foot and shifting their weight to the glove side with the throw. Overhand throws generally have better rotation and speed. Underhand throws work for across body tosses and back hand flips work well for chances to a players throwing side. Snap wrist throws (released just at the ear) are great for rundowns.

This key middle infielder must also learn how to take throws, make tags, and assist in relays. In taking most throws the player must always watch the ball. She should be in as direct a line as possible with the thrower using both hands, arms extended, to make the catch. The arms/elbows will give with the catch.

In making tags, she should always make sure she has control of the ball, i.e., catch the ball first before making a tag. She should let the base runner slide into the tag when possible, with the shortstop's body squaring up to the runner and with her feet straddling the base (feet off the back corners) in a crouching position

Defensive Positions

Finally, where does the short stop play in certain game situations? Shortstops play deep (10 to 5 feet) toward the outfielder (giving them more range), on the baseline (may prevent runners from scoring from second), and short (5 to 10 feet) in from the baseline (winning run on third-run prevention). Shortstops can also cheat as they play closer to second or third base to be in a position to deal with a steal, a batter's hitting characteristics, or other special defensive strategy.

I always have my shortstop play deep with a runner on first as the throw most likely will be to second base. Less hard hit balls will get by as well as playing deep gives more time to react.

Here are some ideas for stationing the shortstop in various game situations.

1. Runner on first - less than 2 outs: double play probability - SS plays about 5' off of the baseline.

2. First and second occupied - less than 2 outs: getting the lead runner or tag play possibility. Double play possibility if SS takes ball near second base. SS plays on or near to the back side of the base line.

3. Bases loaded - less than two outs: SS plays in to prevent a score at the plate or if you can afford to allow a run, the SS plays similar to #2 above.

4. Third base occupied - less than two outs: same decision situation as #3 above.

5. Runners on second and third - less than two outs: same as #3 above.

Getting the lead runner is always a good idea, but getting a sure out is always better. Self-made force plays are more sure than having to throw the ball. In fielding a ground ball on the run with 2 outs, the percentage play is to first, even with runners on.