in baseball where did the term short stop come from?

Answer 1

it's from the idea that playing in field is playing short. you know when a good hitter comes in bat the outfield (and in field) tends to back up and play long...conversely when a poor hitter comes up the field moves in or plays short.

stop is to the notion of stopping in field hits and prevents runners from reaching the critical third base position.

Answer 2

the Shortstop 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 often cover second when a runner is attempting a stolen base. 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.

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.

Answer 3

I suppose ,for example,when a ground ball is hit between second & third base ,the shortstop is there to stop a ground ball short of being a hit. Hence the name Shortstop.

Answer 4

I think that the answer is that nobody knows. However, one explanation is here: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_299b.html .

The idea is that in baseball's early days, the shortstop would play in the infield grass, a lot closer than the fielders of today.

Answer 5

I DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY GOT SHORT STOP FROM BUT THERE BEEN SOME VERY GOOD ONES