Baseball Positions: First Baseman Is the Best

By David J Weller

First Base is the best position on the baseball field. First basemen are involved in nearly all of the ground ball outs. They need the ability to catch or block bad throws from the other infielders. On deep fly balls where a runner could score, they act as the cutoff man to home. And for left handers, first base is a great position for you.

A first baseman's primary job is to receive throws from infielders on ground balls, thus completing an out. Most ground outs end with the first baseman catching the ball. A very important skill of first basemen is the ability to catch or block bad throws for the other infielders. A good first baseman helps create outs and prevents runners from advancing.

On a hit to the outfield where a runner might score, the first baseman acts as a cutoff man to home. This means that the first baseman will line themselves up between the outfielder and the catcher and either make sure the ball gets to the catcher or reroutes the ball to another base to get an out.

Left handers enjoy an advantage at first base. If there is a need to throw to another base, a left handed first baseman does not need to reposition in order to throw the ball. Also, when receiving a throw from one of the other infielders, they do not need to turn their back to the infield.

So there you have it. First base is the best position to play. First basemen are involved on most of the ground balls that are hit. They block bad throws from the other infielders, keeping runners from taking extra bases. And left handed first basemen enjoy an advantage over right handers.

If you are a first baseman, you are in company with baseball greats such as: Lou Gehrig, Frank Chance, Orlando Cepeda, Jimmie Foxx, Harmon Killebrew, Willie McCovey, Eddie Murray, Keith Hernandez, Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, and Don Mattingly.

This is part of a series of articles explaining why each position on the baseball field is the best. This series is aimed towards coaches at all levels. It is my belief that every position is important, and they each need players with different strengths.

This is part of a series of articles explaining why each position on the baseball field is the best. This series is aimed towards coaches at all levels. It is my belief that every position is important, and they each need players with different strengths. It is my hope that coaches can use this series to help inspire a love for the game of baseball.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_J_Weller

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7509761

Baseball Positions: Second Baseman Is the Best

By David J Weller

Second Base is the best position on the baseball field. Second basemen need to have a good range. They also need to have quick hands and quick feet. Second basemen are vital in turning double plays. Often, when a runner is stealing second, the second baseman covers the bag. And they also act as the cutoff man for balls hit to right field or right-center field.

A second baseman needs to have a good range. They cover between second base and the first baseman. Most first baseman have a smaller range, mainly because they need to stay close to first base. Therefore, the second baseman needs to cover just a little more ground. It helps to have quick reflexes in order to cover that ground.

Second basemen need quick hands and quick feet. The quick feet allow them to get to more balls. The quick hands get the ball out of the glove fast which allows the second baseman to get the throw off quickly. The combination of quick hands and quick feet allows the second baseman to get to more ground balls and make more plays.

Those quick hands and feet also help on a double play. A second baseman needs to be able to catch a ball, pivot, throw to first, and avoid the runner. Being able to do that prevents runs and gives the team a better chance to win. After all, the double play is a pitcher's best friend.

Second basemen often cover second base on a stolen base attempt. This is another example of quick hands and feet coming in very handy for a second baseman. Getting to second base quickly on a stolen base attempt is important because it gives the catcher a better target to throw to. The quick hands allow the second baseman to catch the throw and apply the tag quickly.

Second basemen are crucial to the cutoff throw. When a ball is hit to right or right-center field, the second baseman gets between the outfielder and the base they are throwing to. The idea is to create a shorter throw for the outfielder. And once again, quick hands and quick feet come in to play. When the second baseman receives this throw, they need to pivot, transfer the ball from the glove to the throwing hand, and throw an accurate ball to a base in an attempt to get the runner out.

So there you have it. Second base is the best position to play. Second basemen have a good range. They also have quick hands and quick feet. They are vital in turning double plays. They cover second base on stolen base attempts, and they act as the cutoff man for balls hit to right and right-center field.

If you are a second baseman, you are in company with baseball greats such as: Roberto Alomar, Jackie Robinson, Rogers Hornsby, Bill Mazeroski, Joe Morgan, Ryne Sandberg, Jim Gantner, Craig Biggio, Dustin Pedroia, and Rickie Weeks.

This is part of a series of articles explaining why each position on the baseball field is the best. This series is aimed towards coaches at all levels. It is my belief that every position is important, and they each need players with different strengths.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_J_Weller

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7509767

Baseball Positions: Shortstop Is the Best

By David J Weller

Shortstop is the best position on the baseball field. Shortstops are the captains of the infield. They make some of the more spectacular plays. Shortstops have a large range and a strong arm. They are also involved in double plays.

Shortstops are the captain of the infield. They make sure the other infielders are aware of the situation. Shortstops communicate with the second baseman about who is going to cover the base on a stolen base or a double play started by the pitcher. And on an infield pop fly, it is the shortstop that makes sure there is not a collision between infielders trying to catch the ball.

Shortstops often make spectacular plays. On a play to their right, they have to get to the ball and turn around to throw all the way across the field. Also, with all of the ground that they cover, there are many plays in which they run and/or dive, then have to throw quickly for a close play at first base.

Shortstops have very strong arms. Because they are positioned on the left side of the infield and they play further from the hitter than the third baseman, they have less time to get the throw off to first base. On balls hit to their right, they have to throw in the opposite direction of their momentum. Since they can't use their body on these throws, it is done mainly with arm strength.

Shortstops are involved in many double plays. Their quickness and arm strength are crucial in turning the double play. Good shortstops will kill many rallies by turning a double play, giving their team a better chance of winning.

So there you have it. Shortstop is the best position to play. They are the captain of the infield. Shortstops have a large range and use their strong arms to make some spectacular plays. And they are critical in turning the double play.

If you are a shortstop, you are in company with baseball greats such as: Pee Wee Reese, Phil Rizzuto, Honus Wagner, Dave Concepción, Ozzie Smith, Robin Yount, Cal Ripken Jr., Alex Rodriquez, Derek Jeter, Nomar Garciaparra, and Jose Reyes.

This is part of a series of articles explaining why each position on the baseball field is the best. This series is aimed towards coaches at all levels. It is my belief that every position is important, and they each need players with different strengths.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_J_Weller

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7509772

Baseball Positions: Third Baseman Is the Best

By David J Weller

Third base is the best position on the baseball field. Third basemen are key to a defense because most hitters are right handed. They are often the closest infielder to the batter. Third basemen need a strong arm and good reflexes. They also need to be able to field bunts.

Third base is also known as the Hot Corner. The reason for this is that most hitters are right handed and good hitters tend to pull the ball. This means that the third baseman is going to be getting a lot of hard ground balls hit their way. A good third baseman will take a hard hit ball and turn it in to an out.

Another reason for that nickname is that the third baseman is normally the closest infielder to the hitter. Because of that, the they have a shorter amount of time to react to the ball. This makes every pitch exciting with the possibility of a quick play coming their way.

Third basemen need a strong arm and good reflexes. Most of their throws go all the way across the infield to first base. A third baseman's reflexes are essential, as they are relatively close to the hitter and they are reacting to hard hit balls.

A third baseman's ability to field bunts is very important. They need to get to the ball quickly and make the throw to get the out. Bunting is a strategic tool for the offense, and if the third baseman is good at fielding them, the offense is much less likely to use it. This is a subtle way that a third baseman can affect a game.

So there you have it. Third base is the best position to play. Third basemen are key to a strong defense because right handed hitters outnumber left handers. They have a lot of exciting plays because they are closer to the hitter than the other infielders. They use a combination of a strong arm and quick reflexes in order to make those plays. And finally, third basemen are responsible for fielding bunts.

If you are a third baseman, you are in company with baseball greats such as: Ron Santo, Eddie Mathews, Graig Nettles, Brooks Robinson, Mike Schmidt, George Brett, Wade Boggs, Matt Williams, Scott Rolen, and David Wright.

This is part of a series of articles explaining why each position on the baseball field is the best. This series is aimed towards coaches at all levels. It is my belief that every position is important, and they each need players with different strengths.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_J_Weller

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7509780