Where Should a Little League Shortstop Play?
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Where a Little League shortstop should play is an often debated topic. Basic baseball dictates a lot of this, but occasionally Little League has to adjust a bit. Take for instance you have a super fast power hitter. You would prefer to play your shortstop deep in the hole, but the short distance between home and first, 60 feet, prohibits this from being possible. Therefore, here are the basic scenarios and how I prefer to play them.
Bases Empty
With bases empty you can play fairly straight up. Depending on the power of the arm of your shortstop, you should generally play them mid way. This would be considered double play depth on the big field. For a faster runner you will, unfortunately, have to bring your SS in, with a slow power hitter, he can back up a few steps. Obviously you will need to adjust slightly left or right in order to compensate for lefty/righty and pull/opposite field. Likewise, the speed of your pitcher will affect his positioning left or right.
Runner on 1st, 1st and 2nd
With a runner on first or first and 2nd, Derick Jeter will typically adjust to double-play depth, only the double play in Little League is much more rare than on the big field. Therefore, unless you have a superstar combination that can truly consistently turn a double play, you will want to back up your shortstop to the grass. This will allow greater coverage and he will have plenty of time to get the force at 2nd. As always, you should adjust to the hitter. If a weak hitter is up, the SS would move up, if a strong hitter is up, keep him up against the grass and be happy w/ a force at 2nd.
Runner on 2nd
With a runner on 2nd, the SS is typically going to make the play to first. If, on the rare exception, the runner on 2nd goes before the SS throws to first, then the SS has plenty of time to adjust and make the tag or throw to third for the easy put out. So position your SS as if there is no runner on base when there is a runner on 2nd.
Runner on 3rd
With a runner on third, the game situation dictates where the SS will play. The SS will either play in, attempting to cut off the run, or as if nobody is on base taking the easy out at first. You will need to be the judge of when to make the play at home, but the general rule of thumb is early in the game take the out, late in a close game go home, have a few runs to give late, take the out.
Bases Loaded
I have seen coaches bring their infield in in the top of the first inning with bases loaded. Likewise, I have witnessed coaches keeping their infield back late in a close game with bases loaded. My philosophy on this is that early in the game, play the SS based on nobody on base or like a runner is on first base.
If you have a weaker hitter up, you might as well bring the shortstop in and give them digression to throw home or take the easiest force out available to them. With a strong hitter up early in the game, I am always playing back and taking the out at third or second, whichever is easier to get.
Late in a close game you really have no choice but to play your SS in. You can’t give up a valuable run, but this will often cost you two when you turn a bloop into two run single. That said, on the small field, with a SS that has a strong arm, he can get away with playing much deeper and still get the out at home. He can typically play at the baseline or even a step behind it depending on the power of the batter . Again, against your weaker hitters he will need to play closer, on power hitters he can move a step or two back as the ball will be on him faster.
2nd and 3rd
See runner on 2nd above and runner on 3rd above. Both factor into the decision making process for runners on 2nd and 3rd.
Sticking to these basic rules, a manager should be fairly successful over the length of the season with a decent SS. Every situation is unique, occasionally you have to go against the rule, but this can result in the ole looking like a genius or a fool rule. Either way, don’t stress about it too much. Educate your SS and sit back and enjoy his development.
Do you have a special play or situation involving your SS? Please share it.
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