Short Stop Tips (Port Dover Minor Baseball)

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Critical Skills and shortstop tips
1. Fielding Tips and Instruction	NOTE:You’ll find these first 4 sections on all infielder’s pages. Skip down to #6for shortstop specific tips. Whether you want professional tips to fine-tune your game, or basic instruction on fielding mechanics, click here to learn how to consistently secure routine ground balls and make outs. The Pro Infielder’s Secret Routine Ground Balls Backhand Plays Forehand Ground Balls Plays on-the-run, and slow rollers If you can show that you are a strong defensive player you will be wanted to be on the field when the game is on the line. Everyone loves offense, but pitching and defense win games.
2. Throwing Mechanics	Throwing the ball around the infield is the second part of making plays. After we field and secure the ball we need to be able to throw it to the base that will give us an out.How to Throw a Baseball: Grip Mechanics of Throwing Feet Position, Upper Body and Feel Being able to throw properly takes work, but with a few basics for throwing correctly you will be able to increase arm strength and accuracy – of which accuracy is more important.
3. Cut-Off fundamentals	How to be in the best position possible for taking a throw from an outfielder as a cut off man. Where the shortstop should be, and how to make the quickest, most accurate throw possible.
4. Rundowns or “Pickle”	How to do a rundown or pickle. Rundowns are when you have a base runner caught in between two bases. There are many must do’s when trying to get the runner out as quickly as possible with the least amount of throws

Positioning for Shortstop
5. Double Play Depth and other Infield Positioning	Where is double play depth, infield-in, no doubles, and other infield positioning? Situational positioning for shortstops.Includes diagrams and pro tips.
6. Bunt Play Positioning for Shortstops	Learn where to properly align yourself as the third baseman in bunting situations. Learn the different types of bunts and how to position yourself and defend them properly.
7.Relay Positioning: Part 1	The shortstop’s role and positioning for balls thrown from outfield to home plate, or various cut-off situations.
8. Relay Positioning: Part 2, Double Cuts	This article discusses the following: What is a double cut relay? What is the shortstop’s role in each scenario, and particularly for every ball hit to an outfielder where there is a potential play at home plate? Includes diagrams for clarity.
9. Pop Fly Priorities	Everyone needs to know the chain of command so players won’t be fighting over who will catch a pop up – or having dangerous collisions. Visit this page to learn who the shortstop can call off and who you should defer to when a high pop fly is hit, as well as some other important protocols you will be expected to know.
Specific Skills for Shortstop
10. Double Play Feeds	As the shortstop, it helps to know how the second baseman likes to take the feed, and how you can help make the double play turns easier.
11. How to Turn a Double Play	For shortstops, learn the art of working around the second base bag on a double play when a runner is trying to take you out to avoid the completion of the play. Getting two outs on one pitch can be a huge momentum shift from the offen sive team to the defensive team.
12. How to prevent the base runner from stealing	For shortstops and 2nd basemen, holding runners close to second base is a skill and an understanding between you and your pitcher. There are a few things to think about when trying to keep the runner as close to second base as possible.
13. Receiving a throw from the catcher on an attempted stolen base	Being in position to make a tag on a runner is a basic concept that often times doesn’t get executed. This article gives shortstop tips for how to make the tag as quick as possible so you can have a better chance to get an out, and having your body in a good position to counteract a hit and run. Many times the difference between an out and safe call is milliseconds.