The Basics of the Infield Positions
Hello! My name is Jake Nordstrom, and today I will be talking about the infield positions. I will basically explain what each position is and what to do with a ground ball, on a double play, and during bunting defense. Hope you enjoy!
1st Base
- First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond that must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team.
- A first baseman is the player on the team that is playing defense who fields the area nearest first base, and is responsible for the majority of plays made at that base.
- At first base, the runner is always forced out, so there will be no reason to tag the runner if the base is tagged first.
- In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, 1st base is assigned the number 3
Ground balls:
- On a ground ball to you, you need to let the player covering the bag know that either you can take the bag yourself, or if you need him to take it for you.
- On a regular ground ball to anyone, your only job is to get to the base and catch the ball that is thrown by the player who fields it.
Double Play:
- On a double play ball, if the ball is hit to someone other than you, get to the base (as you would in any other situation) and let the second baseman or shortstop know if he should throw the ball to first by yelling “1, 1, 1”!
- If the player throws the ball when not needed, an over throw may end up with the runner advancing one or two + bases.
- When a ball is hit to you, after you throw it to second base, you will either cover the bag yourself, or the pitcher will cover it for you.
- If you do cover first, you still need to let the shortstop or second baseman know whether or not to throw it by saying “1, 1, 1” or “Eat it, Eat it, Eat it”.
Bunt Defense:
- When a hitter shows a sign of a bunt, you immediately charge toward him.
- The pitcher or second baseman will then charge over toward first base and cover, awaiting your throw. His job it to yell “Inside! Inside!” alerting you to throw the ball inside the diamond.
2nd Base
- Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond that must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team.
- A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base.
- The second baseman often possesses quick hands and feet, needs the ability to get rid of the ball quickly, and must be able to make the pivot on a double play.
- In addition, second basemen are usually right-handed; only five left-handed throwing players have ever played second base since 1957 in the major leagues.
- In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, 2nd base is assigned the number 4.
Ground balls:
- When a ground ball is hit to you, all you need to do it get in front of the ball, knock it down, and throw it to first.
- A second baseman is supposed to have quick hands, so even if you have to dive, you should be able to get up and still have a ton of time to throw him out at first.
Double Play:
- If the ball is hit to the shortstop or third baseman, you have to go to second base, put your left foot on the corner closest to them, and wait.
- When the ball is thrown, once you catch it, you need to hop off the bag AWAY FROM THE BASELINE, and push off your back leg to get it to first.
- If the ball is hit to the first baseman, you need to go over to first base and communicate with the pitcher to say who will cover the bag.
- If the ball is hit to you, then you need to give the shortstop a nice under-hander (or overhand, depending how far away you are) so he can slide his foot over the bag and throw to first for a double play.
Bunt Defense:
- On a bunt, no matter where it is bunted to, you need to sprint over to first base, just in case the pitcher is sleeping and forgets to cover.
- This is one of the easiest things to do, but it is so often messed up, so you still need to practice it.
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.
Ground balls:
- On a ground ball, unlike the second baseman, you need to stay on your feet and get momentum towards 1st base.
- You need to create an angle, get a good hop, and have a good, strong, accurate arm to throw him out at first base.
- Once you go onto your knees, there is no way you will have the time to throw him out anymore, so hold on to the ball.
Double Play:
- On a double play that is hit to the first or second baseman, you need to cover second base, but you don’t do it like the second baseman.
- When you are getting close to the base, you need to slow down so when the player fielding the ball throws it to you, you can catch it, swipe your foot over the bag, and throw to first.
Bunt Defense:
- On a bunt, the only thing that you ever have to do is if there is a runner on second, you need to cover third in case the runner tries to steal third.
- You need to tell the player who fields the ball whether he is trying to take third or not, since you have the best view, by saying “3,3,3!”
- When the player throws to first, if the runner is going to third, you still need to tell him if he is going or not.
- If he is already going to be safe, you need to let him know that he shouldn’t throw it, by saying, “Eat it, Eat it, Eat it”!
3rd Base
- Third base, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a base runner must touch in succession to score a run.
- The third baseman requires good reflexes in reacting to batted balls, as he is often the closest infielder (roughly 90–120 feet) to the batter.
- The third base position requires a strong arm, as the third baseman often makes long throws to first base.
- The third baseman sometimes must throw quickly to second base in time to start a double play.
- The third baseman must also field fly balls in fair and foul territory. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, 3rd base is assigned the number 5.
Ground balls:
- On a ground ball, just like a shortstop, you need to create an angle towards first base, and throw him out. Nothing complicated.
Double Play:
- The only thing that you have to do on a double play, is if it is hit to you, is to give the second baseman a nice throw so he has a chance to throw the runner out at first.
- One bad throw could mess up the whole play and end up with the runner scoring.
Bunt Defense:
- When you see the hitter square to bunt, you immediately charge forward.
- Once you field the ball, if there is a runner on base, you need to see where he is. If you can throw him out, do so.
- If you can’t throw him out (or if there is nobody on base) throw to first.
Pointers:
- In the in field, you need to know how to communicate. Almost any play in baseball needs team communication. A team is a family. If you don’t talk, you won’t have chemistry on the field. Talking LOUDLY is an important part of making these plays.
- As a player, you need to keep the energy level positively high. Don’t become quiet and lose hope in the game. Talk to the pitcher, talk to your teammates, give encouragement to everyone and keep the tempo of the game alive.
- You need to be one step ahead of the game at all times. Whatever the situation is, you need to know what you should do when the ball is hit to you. If you should throw to first, to second, look the runner back, think of every possible play available. You need to have a mental checklist of what you should do on every play BEFORE the pitcher throws the next ball. Be attentive, be READY...but most importantly, HAVE FUN!!!
Join me for my next blog about playing in the outfield. Please follow my blog by clicking the “Join This Site” button in the upper right hand corner of this page. Thank You!
If you want to be taken off the e-mail list, please let me know at jakeplaysbaseball@gmail.com
Also special thanks to my friends and teammates, Wilder, Ely and Billy that helped me out (last minute) with this video. I couldn't have don't it without you guys. Oh yeah, thanks to you, too, Dad.
If you have been forwarded this issue and would like to be placed on the mailing list, please send an
e-mail to jakeplaysbaseball@gmail.com or press the "Join This Site" button in the upper right hand corner of my blog.
All newsletter archives are located at http://JakePlaysBaseball.blogspot.com/
If you want to be taken off the e-mail list, please let me know at jakeplaysbaseball@gmail.com
Special thanks to my awesome Pirates Little League Team! Lets go all the way!!
Also special thanks to my friends and teammates, Wilder, Ely and Billy that helped me out (last minute) with this video. I couldn't have don't it without you guys. Oh yeah, thanks to you, too, Dad.
