Shortstop/Key Attributes
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Key Position
"Strong up the middle" is one of the oldest adages in baseball . This holds true in Little League , the shortstop must be one of your strongest players. This is the position that the ball is hit to most often, and the one that needs to record the most assists and least errors.
Your shortstop should be agile and able to cover a lot of ground. They need to be able to pick up the play in the gap between them and the third baseman and have the ability to dive and cover up balls up the middle. The hardest play they make is in the hole and they have to be able to get into proper throwing position quickly. They need to be baseball smart as they have to move more than anyone else on the field .
Accuracy Counts
Shortstop should have one of the best arms on the field. They must be right handed because a lefty cannot make the throw to second or first w/o rotating.
Key Characteristics
Here are some characteristics of a good second baseman :
- Right Handed
- Strong Arm
- Baseball Intelligent
- Dedicated
- Accurate
- Solid throwing fundamentals
- Agile
An agile shortstop with a strong and accurate arm that can handle the ball up the middle and in the hole is a must.
Can you think of any other valuable characteristics a shortstop should have? Please share them.
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