2006-06-13 02:16:12 · 41 answers · asked by Coach 1 in Sports ➔ Baseball
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I know many teams employ a seemingly random rotation between the second baseman and the shortstop, so as to keep the opposing batters guessing as to where the hole would be.
Hope this helps!
--J.
2006-06-13 03:53:20 · answer #1 · answered by John in Jersey 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
In softball, the shortstop always covers second on an attempted steal no matter which side of the plate a batter is hitting from because if a lefty is up, the second baseman has to be able to cover first in a bunt situation and also be ready for the pick-off if the first baseman is playing closer to home for the bunt. The only time the shortstop would not cover 2nd is in the slap bunt defense when the center fielder would cover the bag after the ball is hit and shortstop, playing deep, covers 3rd while the 3rd baseman is up for the possible bunt. Also, if there is a runner on 3rd, many teams will have 1st and 3rd plays in order to catch the runner at 3rd off guard for the out, usually not concerned with the runner from 1st running to 2nd. In those cases, either the 2nd basemen or shortstop will cover 2nd depending on which play is being run.
2006-06-13 02:26:58 · answer #2 · answered by lefty09_00 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Too many variables for just one answer.
1. Who's pitching?
2. Who's hitting?
3. Who's the better athlete, the 2nd baseman or shortstop?
4. What's the score of the game?
5. Are there any other runners on base?
6. What are the conditions of the field? (A 2nd baseman will have a harder time making a tag with a wet field because he has to turn around).
7. What's the pitch that was called?
Typically on the team I coach we will use the shortstop because he's a team captain and the "leader" of the infield.
2006-06-13 05:14:18 · answer #3 · answered by GPC 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All depends on whether batter hits the ball.
I played third and first so I would have to guess. I would vote that if the batter didn't hit the ball, the shortstop would cover. They have a better view of the runner. They might see him go a split second before the second baseman.
2006-06-25 17:23:51 · answer #4 · answered by emwell2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It all comes down to coaching preferences and what the situation of the game may be at the time. If a left handed hitter is at bat and he is a dead pull hitter, chances are the shortstop will cover the bag. This wiill allow the second baseman to remain in his primary fielding position and possibly still turn a double play. Vice versa for a righty that pulls the ball, the second baseman is more LIKELY to to cover the bag and so on. There are so many detailed hitting charts on every hitter and were he tends to hit put his batted balls, all this information based on percentages allows each manager and infield unit to make the decision on who should cover the bag.
2006-06-24 12:26:52 · answer #5 · answered by tom p 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It all depends on where the defensive team anticipates where the batter will most likely hit the ball.
In a standard situation, for a righty batter - the second baseman will cover and for a lefty batter the SS will cover. However, other factors such as speed of pitcher - type of hitter (pull or opposite field), pitch location also play a part. On the major league level, on every pitch - the SS will look into the catcher then signal to the 2B man behind his mitt "Me" (closed mouth) or "You" (open mouth). This is mostly due to pitch location and type and how it impacts the batters likelyhood to pull a ball.
2006-06-13 03:25:30 · answer #6 · answered by Coupe60 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Left handed batter the shortstop covers. Right handed batter second baseman covers the bag
2006-06-21 08:18:37 · answer #7 · answered by Jeff N 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
With a left handed batter the shortstop should cover because normally the batter will pull the ball, and it would be the and basemen from a right handed batter.
2006-06-13 03:04:22 · answer #8 · answered by weskisats9 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The shortstop should take the throw either side because what if the batter hit it to the second base side that is why the center fielder should only back up if it is a hard shot you could probley turn two.
2006-06-26 12:18:41 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the batter is left handed the the Short Stop. If the batter is right handed then the second baseman.
2006-06-23 05:32:50 · answer #10 · answered by S. Leroy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it is a left handed batter who pulls the ball, the shortstop should cover; if he is a spray hitter, the second baseman should. If it is a right handed batter who pulls the ball, the second baseman should cover; if he is a spray hitter, the shortstop should.
2006-06-13 06:36:52 · answer #11 · answered by Garte 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋