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.

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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.

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What Should An 8 Year Old Practice To Play Catcher In Little League?

By David J Weller

Coaches and parents alike can sometimes feel overwhelmed teaching young catchers to play their position. But there are some simple basic steps you can take with them to establish good conditioning early on. A young catcher should really be focusing on four main things to begin with. Firstly, the catcher should practice the squat. Then, they need to get used to moving in their equipment. Finally, they need to practice catching when a batter is swinging the bat and blocking balls in the dirt.

The first thing the child needs to learn is the squat. The feet should be about shoulder width apart. Their weight should be equally distributed between each foot and they should be up on their toes. When a catcher is in their squat, their center of gravity should be low, providing stability. A catcher needs to become comfortable in this position. When squatting behind the plate, the glove should be out in front the catcher, giving the pitcher a big target. The other hand should be behind the back.

Next, the catcher will need to become familiar with the catcher's equipment. It is important to be able to get the gear on and off quickly. The shin guards are the most complex. The lower straps should cross in the back, with the lower strap connecting to the middle D-ring and the middle strap connecting to the lower D-Ring. The straps should cross above the calf, which will keep the shin guard in place. The top strap (or straps) do not cross.

The chest protector is relatively simple. Usually, everything except the waist strap is left connected. This way, it can be easily put on by putting one arm in and lifting it over the head. Then the waist strap is connected. At this age, the helmet and face mask should be one piece. The fit should be snug but not tight. The catcher needs to be able to get the mask off quickly without causing pain. The shin guards should stay on unless the catcher is batting, because they take the longest to put on. Also, the catcher should get used to walking and running with the shin guards on.

Now that the catcher can squat and is getting comfortable with the equipment it is time to get used to having somebody swing a bat while they catch the ball. This can be difficult to get used to. It is very intimidating trying to catch a ball while somebody is swinging a bat right above your head. It is helpful to start with a coach swinging the bat, trying not to hit the ball. Then, when the catcher is used to that, have an actual batter try to hit the ball. Be aware, this may produce some bumps and bruises if the batter foul tips the ball.

Finally, it is very important to learn how to block a pitch in the dirt. Start with a pitch that is over the plate that bounces before it gets to the catcher. The proper way to block this is for the catcher to go down on their knees, with their knees spread, and put the glove and the other hand down between the legs, and lean forward slightly. The goal is to keep the ball from bouncing away from the catcher. If the catcher is in the proper position, the ball will bounce off the ground, hit the catcher, and end up in front of the catcher.

And there you have it. These are the things that young catchers should learn and practice. First, of course, is the squat. Everything that a catcher does starts with the squat. Then a catcher should get used to the equipment that is needed. Once the catcher is used to the equipment, they should catch while a batter is swinging the bat. The last thing I usually teach at this age is blocking balls in the dirt. A catcher that learns these four things early will have very solid fundamentals with which to build upon as they get older.

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The Best Pitches for Beginning Pitchers

By David J Weller

Many beginning pitchers believe that they need to be able to throw a lot of pitches, or at least a curve ball, in order to be effective. That is simply not the case. It is possible to be very effective with just knowing 2 or 3 pitches, even without a curve ball. In fact, throwing a curve ball at a young age can be damaging to the arm. All you need to throw are fastballs (2-seam and/or 4-seam) and a change-up. The key is to change speeds and locations. If a pitcher can keep the hitter off balance, that pitcher will be successful.

The first pitch that should be learned is a fastball. There are two common types of fastballs: a 2-seam fastball and a 4-seam fastball. The 4-seam fastball is usually taught first because it has a straight trajectory. The pitcher holds the ball with the index finger, middle finger, and thumb. The index finger and middle finger are perpendicular to the seams where the seams are the closest. This causes both of the fingers to touch two of the seams, so there are four places where the fingers connect with the seams. That is why it is called a 4-seam fastball. It is thrown hard and straight.

Once the pitcher can throw the 4-seamer, it is time to learn the 2-seamer. It is held in a similar fashion, except that the fingers are parallel to the seams. This means that one finger is on one seam and the other is on another seam. Therefore, there are two contact lines, giving it the name 2-seam fastball. This gives the ball a different spin which causes it to move a little bit from left to right. It does not have very much motion compared to a curve ball, but it is different than the 4-seam fastball. That difference is something that the batter has to consider when swinging.

The third pitch is a change-up. This pitch is thrown with the same arm movement and arm speed, but the ball speed is significantly slower. This disrupts the hitter's timing, causing them to swing early. There are many ways to hold the ball to get this effect. The most effective way for a young pitcher or one with small hands is to use three fingers instead of two. A good change-up will look like a fastball coming out of the pitcher's hand, only to arrive at the plate a split second later than expected.

You may be asking, "Why not a curve ball?" Well, at this point, it is more important for a pitcher to learn how to pitch and how to throw strikes. They will need to improve their mechanics and build their strength and velocity. Also, for younger pitchers, it can wreak havoc on their arms, causing injuries that could otherwise be avoided and may even be permanent. Once a pitcher has mastered the fastball and change-up, curve balls can be added. But for now, these three pitches should be sufficient.

The pitcher will need to be able to throw all three of these pitches where they want to. Being able to pitch inside, outside, high, and low at any time will keep the hitter guessing. Mixing all three pitches without becoming predictable will also make it hard for the hitter. The secret of pitching is not letting the batter know where the ball will be next or how fast it is coming. These three pitches, along with practice, will help any pitcher be successful.

DJ Weller has been a student of baseball for over 30 years. He enjoys passing on his knowledge to all those who are interested.

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