Willie M

 

 

 

 


SHORTSTOP FEEDS

Ball hit low to the ground:

  1. After fielding the ball, drop to the right knee while pivoting on the ball of the right foot.
  2. Get the ball out quickly, and make a short firm throw with the elbow up.


Ball hit with a high bounce:

  1. Stay up, pivot on both feet, get the ball out quickly, and make a short firm throw with the elbow up.


Backhand play:

  1. After fielding the ball, plant the right foot firmly; pivot on the ball of the right foot.
  2. Get the ball out quickly, get the elbow up, and make a good accurate throw for the lead runner. Donšt rush the throw.


Slow rollers:

  1. Charge fast and field the ball off the left foot.
  2. Raise the upper body and turn the left shoulder and glove towards second base to get them out of the way of the throw.
  3. A side arm running throw may very well be necessary in this situation. The key is stay balanced to make an accurate throw.


Ball hit towards or behind second base:

  1. When going towards second, let your momentum help you with the throw. Make a firm underhand throw with a stiff wrist and the palm up
  2. When going behind second, the backhand flip will probably be necessary. This is the most inaccurate type of throw so donšt use it unless absolutely necessary. Turn the wrist out with the palm up and be as accurate as possible.


SHORTSTOP PIVOTS:

Drag pivot:

  1. Get to the bag as quickly as possible shuffling your steps as you approach to arrive at exactly the same time as the ball.
  2. Catch the ball with two hands, (thumb-to-thumb method).
  3. Step across the base with your left foot, and drag the right foot across the back corner of the base.
  4. Execute a jump turn to get out of the runners way and land on the right foot with the left shoulder pointing towards first base to complete the throw to first.


Unassisted double play:

  1. Let your momentum carry you towards second base and let the second baseman know that you are taking it yourself.
  2. Step across the base with your left foot, drag the right foot across the back corner of the base, make a jump turn to get out of the way of the runner and get the lift shoulder turned towards first base to complete the throw and the play.



 

SECOND BASE FEEDS:

Ball hit low:

  1. After fielding the ball, drop the left knee to the ground, while pivoting on the ball of the left foot.
  2. Get the ball out quickly and make a short firm throw with the elbow up.


Ball hit with a high bounce:

  1. Stay up and make the pivot towards second on both feet.
  2. Get the ball out quickly and make a short firm throw with the elbow up.


Ground ball hit left:

  1. On balls that you can get in front of, do so.
  2. After fielding the ball execute a jump turn to get the body rotated with the left shoulder pointed towards second base and make a firm accurate throw.
  3. On balls hit into the hole that you cannot get in front of the fielder must make a decision about where to throw based on the speed of the hit ball.
  4. On a hard hit ball execute a 270 degree reverse pivot and make an accurate throw to second base to get the lead runner.
  5. On a slow hit ball the fielder will have to make a decision on whether to execute a 270-degree turn to get the lead runner or make the throw to first base to insure that at least one out is made.


Ground ball towards second:

  1. Let the momentum of fielding the ball carry you towards second base.
  2. After fielding the ball turn your body towards second base and make an accurate underhand throw with a stiff wrist and the palm up. Make certain you step towards second base with your left foot.


SECOND BASE PIVOTS:

Throws from shortstop and third base:

  1. Move towards the base as quickly as possible arriving at the base at the same time as the ball.
  2. Place the left foot on the base to receive the throw with two hands (thumb-to-thumb method).
  3. After receiving the throw, push away from the base with the left foot either towards right field or centerfield with a short hop landing with the weight on the right leg.
  4. Step towards first base and complete the play with an accurate throw to first.


Unassisted double play:

  1. Make certain the shortstop knows you are taking the play by yourself.
  2. Place the left foot on the side of the base and push away with a short hop to land with your weight on the right leg. Step towards first base and complete the play with an accurate throw.
  3. Be certain to stay out of the way of the runner.