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Attributes Of A Great Shortstop

Obviously like anything else in the world, one’s subjective perception emphatically negates objective reality; thus, each and every person’s subjective conclusions regarding anything are merely opinions and a far cry from being absolute truth. Nonetheless absolutes and ideals are established everyday. The democratic process does this in so far as those most popular and/or agreed upon opinions become those absolute truth or ideals. The same analysis can be drawn in baseball wherein every respected mind entails a varying approach and philosophy as to how the game should be played in a most efficient manner. Thus, when determining the best attributes one must posses to become an ideal shortstop, the aforementioned is applicable; however, ultimately the game’s greatest intellects will collectively agree that a certain basic set of characteristics should be present in a shortstop.

To give one specific example of the ideal shortstop is virtually impossible given the fact that the greatest shortstops of all-time have all possessed at least one flaw; thus, to exemplify those ideal attributes of a shortstop, one should refer to different shortstops throughout the history of baseball that within their respective arsenal possessed an ideal attribute.

The first attribute one should look for in a shortstop is defensive in nature. This attribute is defensive range, or a player’s ability to move in all directions in order to track down a batted ball. A shortstop with optimal range may effectively cut down potential base hits, whereas a shortstop with limited range will allow a greater number of base hits. An example of a Major League shortstop that possessed ideal range would be the former St. Louis Cardinal Ozzie Smith. In his playing career Smith could track down nearly every ball within his range that many other players could not get to. Thus, throughout his career, Smith saved his pitchers many base hits; furthermore, his range ultimately helped the Cardinals win due to this great defense.

The second defensive attribute one looks for in a great shortstop is a good throwing arm. Possessing a good throwing arm can also cut down on the amount of base hits a pitcher allows, in so far as this will allow a player to throw out many base runners who would otherwise out run a weak throwing arm. A modern example of a shortstop with a good throwing arm is Miguel Tejada of the Baltimore Orioles. Tejada’s throwing arm allows him to effectively throw base runners out even if they normally would beat out a throw against another shortstop.

Another attribute to look for in a great shortstop is soft hands. When a shortstop possesses soft hands this will allow him to gobble up any ball, which is hit to them regardless of the ball’s trajectory after traveling through the infield. Possessing soft hands will also allow a shortstop to turn a double play more efficiently than otherwise because a shortstop with soft hand can transfer the ball from his glove much quicker than otherwise; furthermore, this attribute will allow a shortstop to compensate for any poor throws they may receive from the second baseman. An current example of a shortstop with ideal hands is Omar Vizquel of the San Francisco Giants. Throughout his career Vizquel has been able to make hundreds of adjustments to compensate for bad hops and/or mis-thrown balls, thus, enabling him to effectively compensate for minor errors which otherwise would have resulted in base hits and/or runs.

The final attribute one should possess as a great shortstop is the innate quality of being a leader as a great leader can affect the game in several aspects. First, while on the field a shortstop should be the leader of the defense, in so far as when any ball is hit into play the shortstop should take command and always be in a specific position to properly defend the opponent from scoring.

Another area the shortstop needs to be a great leader in is a team clubhouse. A shortstop who serves as an off the field general can make his team more focused and make the team much more cohesive overall. An example of such a shortstop is Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees. Jeter leads his team by example and provides the Yankees with many intangibles, which do not necessarily show up in the box score but in the win-loss column. For example whenever his team needs to advance a base runner, Jeter will sacrifice his own statistics in order to do so. Another example of his leadership is his excellent play in the clutch. Whenever his team needs a base hit and/or a defensive play and the game is on the line, Jeter more often than not will come through resulting in his team winning.

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SolveYourProblem.com : 2008

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