by David Colello

Created on: February 19, 2010

Shortstops are the superstars of the infield, where all the best fielders in the sport end up playing.  Becoming a shortstop requires versatility, a confident personality with leadership ability, and a dedication to the game.  Legends that have played this coveted position include Ozzie Smith, Honus Wagner, Ernie Banks, Cal Ripken Jr., and many more.  Among active players, such All-Star players as Jimmy Rollins, Derek Jeter, and Hanley Ramirez dominate as shortstops.  Take heed of the following advice and you just might find yourself joining the ranks of these icons of baseball someday.

Versatility

Shortstops must cover a large portion of the infield and know how to handle a wide variety of different plays.  With a majority of batters being right handed, a majority of hits head towards the left side of the field where the shortstop resides.  Ideally, the shortstop will use speed and agility to position himself directly facing the ball with knees slightly bent for quicker reactions.  Obviously this is not always possible, so some plays require fielding on the run or while diving. You must be able to snag grounders to your left, or use your backhand to get those to your right.  Looping hits that can’t be caught in the air should be charged at to retrieve on a short hop, while line drives headed for the outfield can sometimes be caught by a well timed leap.  And as if that was not enough, shortstops must also be experts at turning a double play in coordination with the second baseman.

A great deal of a shortstop’s ability to play defense stems from their great athleticism.  There is no substitute for great speed when chasing down hard hit ground balls or line drives.  Getting the ball is only half of the battle, however.  All shortstops need quick hands and a strong arm so that they can retrieve the ball from their glove and make an accurate throw with enough speed to beat the runner.  Any bobbling or hesitation will give the runner time to take those final few strides towards reaching base safely.

Personality and Leadership

Shortstops often serve as the leader of the infield, using their outgoing personality to put people at ease.   Baseball players are notoriously fun loving people, and especially so at this position.  They are looked to for directions on how to defend against each batter.  They also help calm down flustered pitchers and motivate demoralized teammates.  As is the case with all leaders, this role depends on gaining the trust of those around you.  Spending lots of time practicing with your teammates and studying all the nuances of the game will prepare you to step in when the moment is right.

Dedication

Since the shortstop position requires such a high degree of difficulty, in order to do well you must put much more effort into your practices than the average player.  This is why some coaches will say that shortstops are born, not made.  Certain players have an innate drive to practice, stemming from their love of the game.  They invariably get along well with the rest of their team and can be asked for advice.  So if you have ever thought about playing shortstop, consider whether or not you possess the skills and qualities listed above.  If you do not, perhaps another position will hold more promise.  But if you truly want to become a shortstop, commit yourself entirely to the effort and let nothing get in your way.

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