How to Play Shortstop in Baseball

The shortstop in baseball is the leader of the diamond. It’s a fun position to play since you’ll get a lot of balls hit to you. Because of this, you need to know how to position yourself in all sorts of situations. Master basic fielding so you can track down any ball and fire a clean throw across the field. Good range and technique means you can hold down your side of the field and make stunning plays for your team.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Fielding Balls Hit to You

  1. Hold the tip of your mitt against the ground. Follow the ball as you attack it. If the ball takes a hard bounce, you can move your glove up to stop it. Keep your glove at an incline and use the heal of your wrist to stop the ball. Practice this by having someone roll or hit some balls directly at you. [1]
    • When the mitt is held flat on the ground, balls can roll up your arm. When the glove is held straight off the ground, it’ll block balls rather than catch them.
  2. Shortstops need to be mobile. Anticipating balls and getting to them quickly is crucial. Practice shuffling to the side to get to balls not hit right at you. Hold your glove down and use your feet to get yourself into position. [2]
    • Add a small hop to your routine. As soon as the bat hits the ball, hop so you can get your feet moving.
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  3. Catching balls in the center of your body should only be done if you don’t have time to move. Keep your arm near your side. Align your arm and mitt with the ball’s path after getting into position. This prevents your muscles from tensing, so you’ll make less errors.
    • Even when a ball is hit to your opposite side, you won’t cross over yourself. You’ll plant your back leg ahead of you and make a backhanded catch.
  4. Once the ball is in your glove, pull your arm up into your chest. This secures the ball and readies it for a throw. Rushing means you try to transition the ball to a throw before you’ve secured it, so it pops out of your glove. When the ball is centered, your body will feel balanced so you’ll be less likely to make an errant throw.
  5. When a ball is hit hard, you won’t have time to get into position. You should anticipate where the ball will go and step towards it. Plant your dominant foot ahead of you. Aim to have the ball land between your thumb and pointer finger, then push your glove against the ball to catch it. [3]
  6. Moving too early for a ball gives the batter an indication of what pitch is coming. Instead, stay in place. Watch the pitcher deliver the ball. When the batter is about to swing, move to where you need to be. Keep the batter guessing so he doesn’t get a hit.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Throwing the Ball

  1. [4] Adjust the ball so that one surface is on top with the horseshoe-shaped stitching around it. Place your middle and index fingers over the ball. These fingers should cross over stitching twice. Pull your thumb back behind the ball and place your ring finger beside it. This grip makes your throws stronger and more accurate, which are essential qualities of good shortstops.
    • Practice by throwing the ball up in the air. Catch it and quickly rotate the ball so the stitching is near the top. Finish by applying the four-seam grip.
  2. Start with your body sideways. Point the shoulder on the mitt side of your body towards the target. Move the foot on your throwing side back, firmly planting it behind you. You’ll need to use this stance to generate power and accuracy. Practice the mechanics until they feel comfortable. [5]
  3. As you plant your throwing foot behind you, draw back your arm. Hold the ball so it faces the ground instead of your target. When your arm travels back as far as it can go, you can fire the ball at the target. [6]
    • Balance is essential to a hard, accurate throw. Don’t rush.
  4. Bring your arm forward. As you do so, the face of the ball will turn inward until it faces the target. Your arm functions like a whip. Use your fingers and wrist to generate power. Remember that you’re throwing the ball with your entire body. Follow through by bringing your throwing arm forward after you’ve released the ball. [7]
  5. The middle of the body is a big target. Balls thrown to this area are easier to handle. Don’t try to land the ball in the person’s glove. Instead, pretend that you’re throwing the ball past them, since you’ll need to throw harder and faster. Practice this by picking a spot on a wall and trying to hit it.
    • To hit a moving target, you’ll need to anticipate where the glove will be. Aim the throw so that it’s a little ahead of the target.
  6. To get out quick runners, you’ll have to change your style sometimes. For a slow-rolling ball, you can try plucking the ball with your bare hand. Spread out your fingers so you have the best chance of getting the ball and adjusting your grip. This throw is often inaccurate, so you’ll need to judge whether or not you can get the ball to the target before the runner.
  7. Keep your throwing hand near your glove. Plant your front foot when the ball hits your glove. Move the ball into your throwing hand. You may have to use a side-arm throw to get the ball away sooner. Plant your throwing foot as the ball leaves your hand.
  8. This kind of throw is useful for balls on the edge of your range. Catch the ball in your glove. Spin away from your target. When your eyes find the target again, throw the ball as you normally would. This throw is tough to get right, so practice finding first base after spinning. [8]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Positioning Yourself in the Field

  1. This is the standard position. Normally, you’ll be a little closer to second base. This is because shortstops generally field with their left hand. When the ball is hit to your right, you move over so you can easily throw the ball across the field. [9]
    • How far back you stand depends on your arm strength and the runner’s speed. Standing back gives you more time to see balls, but the ball will have a longer way to travel.
    • Shortstops are often asked to cover second base, so staying closer to it comes in handy.
  2. Take three steps towards the pitcher. Take three steps towards second base. You will have less time to react to balls, but you can throw the ball to second base quicker. Many double play balls travel up the middle of the diamond. You’ll also need to be quick to get the runners out.
    • Your positioning depends on the hitter. If you know they often hit towards the right side of the field, you can edge to the right.
  3. Start at double play depth. If there is a runner on second base, you’ll need to stay behind him. Watch the pitch and determine that the batter will bunt instead of swing. When you see the batter move to bunt, run to second. Be prepared to catch the ball.
  4. Dash towards second, aiming for the back corner of the base. The second baseman will go to you to get the runner out. Face your teammate so he can target your chest. Stay prepared for a bad throw. Catch the ball, touch the corner of the base, then step away.
    • To turn a double play, you’ll have to plant your foot and make a strong throw as you normally do.
    • The runner may try to slide into you. If you can’t get out of the way, jump and don’t worry about landing on them.
  5. Range towards the third base line, staying in fair ground. Stand between the ball and where the ball needs to go. Move so the outfielder can throw the ball to your mitt side, chest high. Turn in the direction of your mitt to make your throw.
    • Keep your relay throw close to the ground so it gets to the target quicker.
    • Sometimes the outfielder will throw directly to a base. These throws will be aimed over your head.
  6. The position you take depends on where the ball is hit and how many runners are on base. When the ball goes into right field, for example, move forward to the infield grass. You may field the throw. If the second baseman leaves his base, you’ll have to go there.
    • You will also have to cover third base if the third baseman moves to field a throw from left field.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Preparing before a Game

  1. The infield needs a good communication strategy so everyone works well together. The shortstop in particular needs to stay in sync with the second baseman. Your communication should not be audible or obvious to the other team. [10]
    • For example, look at the second baseman. Shield your mouth with your glove. Open your mouth to show that you’ll cover second base.
    • It’s your job to communicate to the other infielders what pitch will be made. You can hiss to tell them the pitch won’t be a fastball.
  2. In order to predict how batters will hit, you’ll need to know how your pitcher operates. Get familiar with what kinds of pitches they throw. This will give you insight as to where the ball travels and how hitters are likely to respond to it. Find this information during team practices, by watching taped recordings of the pitcher, or looking at their pitching statistics.
    • For example, your pitcher throws a lot of curveballs. You may notice that right-handed hitters pull these towards the right side of your range.
  3. As a good ballplayer, you should know how the batters hit the ball. If you know that the batter hits towards the left side of the field, you’ll know how to adjust your positioning. This is critical for communicating with the other infielders and working together to develop fielding strategies.
  4. Carry a ball with you while warming up. Look over the grass and dirt. Smoother grass makes the ball roll faster. Note any damaged spots that can cause the ball to take odd hops. Touch the dirt or bounce a ball against it to see how well it is packed. Packed dirt means fiercer bounces you’ll have to contend with.
  5. Take some time before the game to warm up. Field a few ground balls and make a few throws. Follow up by practicing non-routine plays such as spins and running throws. Allow yourself to be creative during your routine. You’ll face all kinds of situations in games, so you never know when a move will come in handy.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Should I tell my coach I can only play shortstop?
    Isaac Hess
    Baseball Coach & Instructor
    Isaac Hess is a Baseball Coach, Instructor, and the Founder of MADE Baseball Development and Champion Mindset Training Program, a baseball training program based in Los Angeles, California. Isaac has over 14 years of experience coaching baseball and specializes in private lessons and tournaments. He has played baseball for both professional and collegiate leagues including Washington State University and the University of Arizona. Isaac was ranked as one of Baseball America's top 10 prospects for 2007 and 2008. He earned a BS in Regional Development from the University of Arizona in 2007.
    Isaac Hess
    Baseball Coach & Instructor
    Expert Answer
    Absolutely not, at least if you want to play baseball! When a player says "I can only play shortstop," the coach's options are play that player at shortstop, or bench them. But if they're open to playing other positions, a coach may put you at second base, or third base, or the outfield. It may not be your preferred position, but it's better than just sitting on the bench.
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  • Question
    What if I can't throw accurately?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Practice with a friend or teammate. Start close to the other person, and throw until you can do it accurately every time. Back up a little and repeat. Keep backing up and throwing until you can do it accurately every time. You can also do this alone by throwing to a target on a wall.
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  • Question
    What if I threw the ball over the first baseman every time?
    Community Answer
    If you are throwing the ball over the first baseman, that means that when you are throwing the ball you are most likely releasing to early and should hold on to the ball in your throwing motion a little longer.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.humankinetics.com/excerpts/excerpts/fundamentals-of-fielding-a-ground-ball
      2. ↑ Isaac Hess. Baseball Coach & Instructor. Expert Interview. 20 March 2020.
      3. ↑ http://www.qcbaseball.com/skills/infield-playing-shortstop.aspx
      4. ↑ http://probaseballinsider.com/baseball-instruction/how-to-throw-a-baseball-part-1-the-4-seam-grip/
      5. ↑ http://www.ducksters.com/sports/baseball/throwing.php
      6. ↑ http://probaseballinsider.com/baseball-instruction/how-to-throw-a-baseball-part-2-mechanics-of-throwing-2/
      7. ↑ http://www.qcbaseball.com/skills/infield-playing-shortstop.aspx
      8. ↑ http://probaseballinsider.com/baseball-instruction/forehand-ground-balls/
      9. ↑ http://www.ducksters.com/sports/baseball/shortstop.php
      1. ↑ http://www.theoleballgame.com/second-base-fundamentals.html

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