by Chip Lemin

If you ask youngsters which position they want to play, many would say shortstop. While many players want to play shortstop, only a few really can.

The shortstop must have good range, which means a good quick lateral movement. The shortstop must be quick to react to sharply hit balls, getting into a fielding position for a backhand in a flash. Shortstops should have strong throwing arms to make long throws in the hole, or to get runners on slow rollers.

They must be agile enough to run down humpback liners or pop-ups in shallow left field. The shortstop must be able to make numerous plays from a wide range of spots in the field. Their responsibilities include taking throws on steal attempts, covering or holding runners at second base. They must back up second and third base on steal attempts. The shortstop takes defense signs from the bench and often gets the defense set for the next play. Many times, shortstops aren't the biggest or strongest players on the field. They are usually one of the best athletes on the team, however.

Shortstops must be willing to keep working on their skills, even during the off-season, if they want to continue to play the position. The shortstop must be able to learn to judge the field conditions and adjust accordingly. During warm ups before the game, they see how the field is affecting grounders. If it is a fast track, they will play 'back' some. Grass infields or slower infields will allow them to play 'in' somewhat.

Mindset is so important at short because there may be more than one play you could choose to make on any hit ball. Knowing whether to go for a play at the plate with less than two outs must be determined, and thought about before they receive the ball. If your team is up by five runs, throw to first base. When your team is down by three runs, it becomes an option for the out at the plate.

Strong armed shortstops can hold a runner. Alert shortstops look back an average runner at second or third base to save a run. ‘Looking back,’ the runner is just a brief glance at the runner to freeze them and stop their momentum to whatever base they are trying to advance to. Simply not looking back a runner will let an average base runner move up a base they should not have.

Taking charge of pop-ups, and directing other fielders on who should catch them on the left side of the infield is another duty of the shortstop. With a runner at second base, the shortstop should use the ‘daylight play’ to keep the runner close. When the shortstop uses the daylight play, they start out the play five or six feet behind second base, four feet down the baseline towards third. As the runner begins their leadoff, the shortstop quickly comes up right behind the base runner, looking at the length of their leadoff.

If the shortstop determines the lead is too large, they quickly cut towards second base, holding out their glove arm as a signal for the pitcher to make a pickoff attempt. If the shortstop determines the lead is safe, they will quickly shuffle to the right, back towards their position.

When the pitcher, who is in the set position, sees daylight between the runner and the shortstop, they start their delivery towards home plate. This daylight play gets rid of most of the running back and forth by the shortstop and second baseman.

Keeping the runner close to second is very important for obvious reasons. The daylight play also helps keep middle infielders in position more often to field baseballs. It reduces the pitcher inducing a ground ball, only to see it go through the infield for a hit because the infielders were late getting back to their positions.

These are just a few of the scenarios faced by shortstops. Please encourage your youth baseball players to stay upbeat and positive, even after mistakes. You can lead the way by staying that way yourself.

About the Author
Chip Lemin has been a promoter of youth baseball since they started using aluminum bats--that's a long time. Visit his site to sign up for an insightful, informational, free coaching e-course at http://www.baseballecourse.com

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