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Online now: 1 member: TABLE SETTER 11; 85 anonymousDiscussion: How deep can infielders play EFFECTIVELY?
| Posted | Discussion |
| Oct. 4, 2012 Webbie25 Men's 70 2414 posts | How deep can infielders play EFFECTIVELY? We have debated this on various teams that I have played on over the years. The shortstop and second baseman are the 2 that I see most often do this. The advantage I can see to it is that it might make a hitter think about it, and sometimes that can be effective. But, if you get too deep-you take yourself right out of the defense-there are so few hits you can get to in time to get an out. Slowly hit balls are automatic hits-and I have intentionally hit grounders myself when a second baseman plays too deep-I can beat it out almost every time. I like to think about it as 'maximizing the defensive area' that you can cover effectively and get the most outs. Any thought on this? |
| Oct. 4, 2012 Gary19 Men's 50 2609 posts | It's all situational. If you have a force out at second you can play a bit deeper. Slow batter, play a bit deeper. Strong arm, a bit deeper. It is all situational, no one right answer. |
| Oct. 4, 2012 frampton Men's 55 55 posts | If you want to play for a double play, the middle infielders have to move in some. It's also true that moving in can cut down the angle on some ground balls (it might take two steps to get to a ball that, playing deeper, will take three). I also always thought that the more bounces, the more chances for a bad bounce. The lip of the grass can also be problematic. So, the field can also be a factor, as can the speed of the batter and the strength of the infielder's arm. (And, if you have a force and only need one out, that's the perfect time to move back.) |
| Oct. 4, 2012 Gary19 Men's 50 2609 posts | frampton, on your last comment that is the perfect time to have the infielders move as far back as they safely can and have the pitcher take the throw at second. |
| Oct. 4, 2012 Caveman Men's 50 68 posts | Our second baseman plays about 15-20 ft off the dirt on most plays, depending on if the batter is a right handed pull hitter or middle hitter. He probably makes more outs on short flyballs to the outfield, line drives that would normally be over a second baseman's head, than he allows on slow rollers by playing so deep. Our pitchers will cover second, but it is difficult to turn 2 as the pitcher is moving away from the infield to make the put out at 2B. |
| Oct. 4, 2012 Webbie25 Men's 70 2414 posts | I should have been clearer-I meant with nobody on. |
| Oct. 4, 2012 Tim Millette 615 posts | I think the deciding factor in how deep an infielder can play is........ if they are holding a homerun ball in their glove they need to play two steps closer.... Unless of coarse.... Swing is on second base:) |
| Oct. 4, 2012 swing for the fences Men's 50 1224 posts | depends on his foot speed and the strength of his arm and the speed And the speed of the runner! |
| Oct. 4, 2012 Tim Millette 615 posts | Come on swing.... Number five hundred should be an insult towards me... |
| Oct. 4, 2012 swing for the fences Men's 50 1224 posts | You're a nice guy! |
| Oct. 4, 2012 swing for the fences Men's 50 1224 posts | You're a nice guy! |
