News story

Masters of the Diamond Share Infield Strategy

May 1, 2000 – Senior Softball-USA

Great infields are the essence of teamwork.

They succeed on communication. The best infielders are in constant touch with fellow infielders and with the pitcher. They get to know each other so well, that they can anticipate how the other infielders will react in almost any situation.

The skills are important, too.

Third basemen need sure hands and a good, strong arm. Shortstops have to be fast and accurate. Second basemen need to be able to turn a double play and first basemen need to ˆ at all costs ˆ catch or stop every ball thrown to them.

But the most important factor, and often the difference between a good and a great infield, is communication.

"We usually coordinate with the pitcher so we know if he is going to pitch inside or outside," said Gerald McAnally, 57, third baseman for the 55+ Sawtre Texas Legends. "That way you get a feel for the direction that you will have to be moving.

"I also coordinate with the shortstop on every pitch, so that if I am shifting a step or two to my left, he shifts to the left as well," said McAnally.

The communication has been successful for the Legends, which won four national championships last year and finished second in two other championships.

Dan Maus, who plays second base for the super-major Orange Crush 50+ team, agrees.

"I will talk to the pitcher, to see what he is going to do," said Maus, 53 of Deerfield Beach, Florida. "If he is going to throw tight, I will play toward center. It's also essential to know what your third baseman and shortstop are going to do ˆ and what kind of arms they have ˆ when there are runners on base."

There is no substitute for practice and playing together. Infielders on winning teams often know their teammates so well they adjust their own timing without thinking in order to make a play.

And each position in the infield demands different skills:

Third Base: The Hot Corner

The third baseman needs to field without thinking and throw without flinching. He must react to hard-hit balls quickly and make long, accurate throws to first base.

Positioning is very important for the third baseman. When no one is on base, his normal position is about 6 feet behind the base and about 10 feet inside the line. If the batter is a pull-hitter, or there are runners on base, the third baseman should move closer to the line and the base.

"You have to react to the batter and pick up on the ball as it comes off the bat early," said McAnally of the Sawtre Legends. "You have to be able to recognize if they are going to pull the ball to the left or right. "For example," he said, "if the pitch is outside, the ball will go to your left, generally speaking. Scouting the batters ahead of the game helps, too," he said. "You can pick up on the pull hitters and you play the line on them."

In double-play situations, the third baseman should throw the ball sidearm and chest-high to the second baseman slightly to the first base side of the bag. That throw allows the second baseman to easily tag the base and make the relay throw to first.

When there are runners on first and second base, the third baseman should tag third after fielding the ball to stop the lead runner before throwing to first base.

And always know what the shortstop is going to do.

"Coordinate with the shortstop on every pitch," said McAnally.

Shortstop: Quick, Quick, Quick

The shortstop is normally the best fielder on a team. He has sure hands, moves quickly and has a strong throwing arm.

Perhaps the greatest asset of most shortstops is their speed. Quick reflexes are essential and powerful throws are his stock-in-trade.

"The depth that you play depends on the strength of the opposing team," said Doc Smith, 65, who played shortstop for several years with the top-ranked New York Statesmen.

"When I first began playing senior ball, I could play normal depth," said Smith, who now lives in New Bern, North Carolina and plays for the North Carolina Seniors. "But the hitters are so strong today that I am inclined to play deep, 3 or 4 feet into the outfield, or else the ball gets by you before you can react. That requires a much stronger arm to throw them out."

The shortstop also acts as the primary relay person for hits to left-center and left field. In these cases, the seasoned shortstop will run into position, hold up his arms and shout at the outfielder so that he has an easy target. As soon as he gets the ball, the shortstop has to know what to do with it ˆ he has to know how many runners are on base and what his best chance is for getting them out or stopping them from advancing.

Many of the infield grounders will come in the shortstop's domain, forcing him to move quickly to get fast runners out at first ˆ especially if he fields the ball deep in the hole or near second base. He has to practice with the second baseman so that they are comfortable in all double play situations.

Second Base: Double Trouble

The second baseman doesn't need the throwing arm of the shortstop or the third baseman, but he does need quick reflexes and to be able to clearly communicate with the first baseman and shortstop on fielding balls.

Generally speaking, balls hit over the middle are taken by the shortstop because he is in a better position to make the throw to first after making the catch. The rest are the second baseman's domain.

"I play fairly deep about mid way between the first baseman and second base," said Maus of the Florida Crush. "My advise to other second basemen is not to rush the ball ˆ let the batter try to beat you."

In double play situations, it's important for the second baseman and shortstop to communicate who will be covering second base if a ground ball is hit to the pitcher with a runner on first base.

In covering the base on a double-play ball hit to the third baseman or shortstop, it's important for the second baseman to keep his balance as he gets to the bag so that he is ready to shag a bad throw and at least get the lead runner out.

"I don't want someone trying to throw the ball to me on the run," said Maus, "I'd rather they throw it to the bag and not try to hit me on the run."

There are a number of ways for the second baseman to turn a double play. He can time the throw so that he catches the ball, drags his foot over the bag, pivots and throws. Or, he can take the throw, touch the base while pivoting and throwing. Or, he can catch the ball on the base, step back, pivot and throw (if the ball is hit hard and he has time).

"I like to catch the ball with my right foot on the bag so I can push off the bag and get a stronger throw to first," said Maus.

First Base: The Target

First base is perhaps the most maligned position in the infield. Often the powerhitters play first base. They are big, move more slowly and aren't known for their fielding ability.

But while the first baseman may not have to move as quickly as other infielders, he must have sure hands to scoop the ball out of the dirt or stop an errant throw. Often left-handed fielders have an advantage playing first base because most throws go to the right of the bag and he can play ground balls more easily to his right.

The recommended method of catching the ball at first base is for the fielder to face the throw with both heels on the bag, legs bent for mobility, and arms hanging loosely at his side.

From this position, the first baseman is ready to move quickly to catch any throw that is slightly off-line. Experts recommend that the first baseman always be prepared to leave the bag to catch the ball, rather than to try to stay on the bag and miss the ball, allowing the runner to advance to second base.