Home of Senior Softball-USA and Senior Softball World Championships
Advertisement: Queen Kapiolani Hotel

Message board   »Message Board home    »Sign-in or register to get started

Online now: 0 members ; 11 anonymous
Change topic:

Discussion: Playing with Eleven

Posted Discussion
April 3
IDon'tKnow 3rdBase
Men's 65
28 posts
Playing with Eleven
Looking for some strategy when playing with eleven on defense. The extra infielder is the middle infielder (MIF). I would think the MIF, most of time, plays on the dirt behind 2nd base, right or left of the pitcher depending on the batter. MIF needs to play on the dirt throw out a hitter at 1st, and cover 2nd for force outs and to start a DP. They should have a strong arm. SS and 2B player are positioned further from 2nd so MIF is closer to cover 2nd.
MIF is the cutoff for throws from LC and RC. SS and 2B players take cutoffs from LF and RF, respectively.
The MIF is the infield leader calling the defensive strategy. If the MIF goes away from 2B to retrieve the ball, the SS and 2B should know who has the bag. That's how I see it. Any thoughts or suggestions?
JP
April 3
Ho

301 posts
Playing with Eleven
Tried to answer this question earlier but it would not go through. Not just a simple strategy, depends on the batter, outs, score..we have even usaed five of and four inf.
If you want to ask me questions, etc give me a call at
Ho 330-336-3958
Good luck with the 11th man, you will love it.
April 4
stick8

1997 posts
Playing with Eleven
As one who’s played quite a bit of middle for the last 25+ years much of the success of the 5 man infield can rest with the pitcher. There’s a ton that goes into that but to keep it simple have the pitcher pitch to the defense—easier said than done!!
Example: if a righty is batting and you have 3 fielders on the left side pitch the batter inside-make him pull. Vice versa for a lefty.But there is so so so much more!
Also keep in mind it won’t always work but limiting certain batters options can make a difference
April 4
IDon'tKnow 3rdBase
Men's 65
28 posts
Playing with Eleven
Great point Stick, having the pitcher pitch to the defense, if they can.
Guys, to me the communication is key to having a coordinated defense. When the MIF was added, the three fielders in the middle seemed confused and incohesive. Rarely do I see five outfields except for perceived power hitters at bat. Most batters are just trying to find a way to get on base. I think a rover is useless positioning that rarely is in place to create an out. We don't need to play mind games with opposition's offense but play coordinated team defensive that make the outs and double plays when the opportunities are presented using a six fielders on the dirt in front of home plate. Am I right in my expectations as to who does what on the basic set up?
April 5
Ace43
Men's 75
3 posts
Playing with Eleven
Three other points. Two outs man on first. Mid plays near second, 2nd baseman and SS play back in the grass. More time to get infield grounder or line drive then throw to Mid on second. Same situation with very mobile pitcher, all 3 infielders play on grass, pitcher covers 2nd. Zero or one out, Man on first, left or right batter, mid and pitcher confer if hard grounder on same side as Mid, pitcher lets it go no need for pitcher to pick up and throw. Mid fields for double play attempt.
April 5
DonnyBallGame
Men's 60
2 posts
Playing with Eleven
Ace43, you got it!
Sign-in to reply or add to a discussion or post your own message and start a new discussion. If you don't have a message board account, please register for a free nickname. It will only take a moment.
Senior Softball-USA
Email: info@SeniorSoftball.com
Phone: (916) 326-5303
Fax: (916) 326-5304
9823 Old Winery Place, Suite 12
Sacramento, CA 95827
Senior Softball-USA is dedicated to informing and uniting the Senior Softball Players of America and the World. Senior Softball-USA sanctions tournaments and championships, registers players, writes the rulebook, publishes Senior Softball-USA News, hosts international softball tours and promotes Senior Softball throughout the world. More than 1.5 million men and women over 40 play Senior Softball in the United States today. »SSUSA History  »Privacy policy

Follow us on Facebook

Partners