Shortstop

The position of the shortstop

Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the ball slightly, so more balls go to the shortstop than any other position. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the shortstop is assigned the number 6.

Shortstops are required to cover second base in double play situations when the ball is hit to the second baseman, first baseman, pitcher, or catcher. They cover second when a runner is attempting a stolen base, but only when a left-handed hitter is batting. This is because the chances of a ball being hit to the left side of the infield are almost cut in half. They also must cover third at various times, including the rotation play; that is, when there are runners on first and second and a sacrifice bunt is attempted. Shortstops generally are given precedence on catching pop-ups in the infield as well, so they end up calling off other players many times, although on deep pop-ups they fall back when called off by an outfielder. The shortstop also has to back up a throw from the catcher to the third baseman when the runner is attempting to steal third base. (Normally this action is not done at the major league level because the catcher is better at throwing, the third baseman is better at catching the ball, and the left fielder is there to back up third base. This action is usually performed in Little League Baseball.)

Traditionally, players are selected as shortstops for their fielding prowess, but in recent years more shortstops with excellent hitting have entered the leagues as well. It is an exclusively right-handed position, as a righty can easily throw to first or second without having to physically turn after playing a ground ball, the most common type of hit directed at the shortstop.

1 Significant shortstops
2 See also

Significant shortstops

Baseball Hall of Fame members

Luis Aparicio
Luke Appling
Dave Bancroft
Ernie Banks
Lou Boudreau
Joe Cronin
George Davis
Travis Jackson
Hughie Jennings
John Henry "Pop" Lloyd *
Rabbit Maranville
Pee Wee Reese
Cal Ripken, Jr.
Phil Rizzuto
Joe Sewell
Ozzie Smith
Joe Tinker
Arky Vaughan
Honus Wagner
Bobby Wallace
John Montgomery Ward
Willie Wells *
George Wright (elected as a pioneer, but also starred as a shortstop in the 1860s & 70s)
Robin Yount (moved to the outfield for his last nine seasons)