Chapter 3: Position By Position
This chapter examins each fielding position and explains the responsibilities of each. As the young player matures more an more options are taught for each position until the fielder becomes a specialists in her most favored position. Coaches for younger fastpitch teams will typically attempt to determine the best position for his/her athletes by rotating them through all fielding positions. Over time, and as the player ascends through the age brackets, both the coach and the player become aware of the postion(s) that most benefit the team and the softball career of the young player. At this point, the fastpitch player focuses her training to eventually stake a claim on the position she most wants to play.
1. The way you practice is exactly the way you will play.
Practice sessions are tricky. Since there is no oppossing team present, the atmosphere is more relaxed and the tendency is not to play as hard as in a real game. This attitude can be disastorous for you and your team.
Fastpitch softball is 98% eye-to-muscle memory. Just as you jerk your hand away from a flame without a second thought, the plays you make and the "at bats" you take require that same automatic response. Making offensive and defensive reactions automatic requires practicing the skill over and over until it becomes a part of you -- until you have taught you body, your eyes, your muscles and your mind how to react without thinking.
To accomplish this level of skill requires repeated practice at the same intensity level you encounter in real games. So when you practice with your coaches, imagine every play is real and it's always the bottom of the 7th inning. Practice hard and you won't be surprised during the real game.
2. If the ball is hit and you're not moving, something's wrong.
Every defensive player moves on every defensive play. Your coach will not be bashful about explaining exactly where you should move on each play. Listen carefully and learn the right move. When someone doesn't move to the correct spot, that means there is a fielding weakness somewhere that could result in extra bases or even a run scoring. Make your plans to move in advance.
Section One: 1st Base
First base is a pivotal position for any team. Since this is the position that has the first opportunity to make an out on a runner, much of the game's action will take place here. The throw of all other fielding positions is probably practiced more than any other fielding play. Certainly, other bases will have the opportunity to "tag out" a runner; but it all starts at first base.
A coach's dream first base player would be:
- one of the team's tallest players (so she can stretch to make the catch from other fielders while remaining in contact with first base)
- extremely mobile: able to react and reach balls that are hit down the first base foul line and quick enough to catch foul balls that are hit outside the first base foul line
- able to field bunts and throw to first (or tag the runner) quickly
- able to catch extremely well using both handsOf course, most team's don't automatically get their dream first base player. They are developed over the years. So, just because you're not the tallest girl on the team or you don't run very fast yet, don't give up. Your physical skills will develop and you certainly will grow taller over time. The important thing is to understand the skills you need, practice them at every game or practice session, and ask for help when you don't understand a play or field strategy. Desire goes a long way with any coach.
1st Base Responsibilities:
- Just like any other defensive player you have an area on the field that belongs to you. Within this space you are in charge. The drawing below give you a look at the area you must control.
The area of the field shaded in yellow is the home turf for the 1st base player. Notice that this includes a large area in foul territory. The first base player must be able to catch or retrieve balls hit into this area and make a quick play to first.
As you can see, some of this yellow area takes you away from first base. In these cases, you rely on the person who moves over to cover first to catch your throw and make the out at first. The person covering first base for you is usually the second base player.
- The first base player rarely stands next to first base. More than likely your coach will have you stand closer to home plate for the first two strikes and then ask you to back up towards first base on the last strike. Because the bunt is a powerful and often used batting tool, your coach wants to to be closer to home plate on the first two strikes to cover the bunt. Don't worry your second baseman will cover 1st for you. How close you stand to cover the bunt is determined by your coach. He/she will practice this play routinely and you'll get a good idea of exactly where you are to stand. You move back (and closer to 1st) after the second strike since the likelihood of a bunt on a third strike pitch is slim.
- Be alert at all times. Get into your fielding position with your glove on the ground as soon as the pitcher starts her motion. When you have an extremely fast pitcher, right handed batters are most likely to hit the ball towards the first and second base players. This is because many batters will not be able to swing the bat fast enough to hit the ball toward left field. So you'll be very busy on your side of the field. Of course, just the opposite is true when your pitcher is not as fast. Many of the hits off these pitchers will go towards third, short, and left field.
In the case of left handed batters, the ball will enter your position when the batter is very quick and accurate. These hits will also be faster, so stay alert.
Don't forget you are responsible for fly balls that are hit just behind first base. You probably have a better chance of catching the ball than the more distant right fielder. However, be attentive as you back up to make the catch. If your right fielder calls, "I got it" then let her catch the ball, and you move back to cover 1st -- just in case.
- When the ball is hit away from you, immediately return to 1st base and place you left foot on the base with you body on the second base side of first base. If the ball is fielded well, the throw will be to you. Be ready for anything. Because your teammate who fields the ball senses the urgency of the play the throw will be fast (and hopefully accurate). (Practice catching fast one-hoppers.) Whenever possible, keep you foot on the base and stretch to make the catch. If the throw is wide, move to catch the ball and return to first base quickly. You may still be able to make the play. The right fielder will back you up in case the throw is wild or you miss the catch. If this happens, stay at first to protect the base and ready to catch any throw from your the right fielder.
- Even if the runner makes it safely to first, the play isn't over yet. If you have the ball, watch all base runner to make certain they stay at their base, and quickly return the ball to the pitcher to end the play and hold the runners. If you don't have the ball when the runner makes it to first, stay close to the base. If the runner decides to try for second you need to be in a position to make a play at first or run down the player as she attempts to make it to second base.
- Most importantly, as you are getting ready for each pitch by your pitcher, run the possibilities through your head. What will I do if the ball is hit? How many outs are there? What is the count? Where are the other runners, and what do I do if there is an attempt to steal from 1st to 2nd? Answer each of these questions during the period between pitches, because there won't be time once the ball is hit. The team that reacts the fastest wins.
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The second base player along with the short stop player require the quickest fielding reactions, most accurate throws and good decisionmaking.
A coach's dream second base player would be:
- Quick from side to side (not only to make the play on a hit ball, but also to cover 1st and 2nd base as the situation dictates) A 2nd baseman's speed is more important than height.
- Has the ability to move to the ball (not waiting for the ball to come to her)
- Able to keep the ball in front of her and "dig out" the hard hit balls at her feet
- Exceptionally accurate and fast thrower (able to make accurate throws to any base including home plate)
- Good decisionmaker (know when to throw the ball, hold the ball, and how to check the runner)
- Alert enough to back up the pitcherAs with all positions, it takes time and desire to master 2nd base play. But, if you want to be where the action is, 2nd base is a great choice.
2nd Baseman's Responsibilities:
The picture below shows the approximate area that the 2nd base player calls home. The good second base player is always evaluating the situtation to know where to make her stand for each pitch. Probably the last place you'll see a second baseman standing is on 2nd base. Her primary job is to cover the large gap (or hitting area) between 1st and 2nd while her short stop teammate covers the similar hole between 2nd and 3rd. That's a lot of territory.
- Know that your coaches are watching the habits of each batter. Keep an eye on your coaches they will help guide you to the right spot for each batter. Eventually you will start to learn how each batter hits and you'll naturally go to the right spot and anticipate the hit.
- You must make plays at two bases: 2nd and 1st. Whenever the first base player is drawn off her base to catch a hit ball you must take her place at first and be ready for the throw. Most coaches want to make certain the can at least get an out at first regardless of what other runners are on base. You are often the player that makes the out at first. When there is a play at second and the ball is hit to the left side of the in-field or out-field you must cover second base. When the ball is hit to your side of the field, the short stop runs to cover 2nd base.
- Your are the cut off player. When a ball is hit over your head and into right or right-center field, you are the person who receives the throw from the right or center fielder. This is called the cut off person because you have moved to a spot on the field that is half way between the outfield and the infield to make the outfielder's throw easier. You then make the decision where the ball is thrown next. It may be that there is no place to throw the ball because all runners are on base. You hold the runners in place by throwing or running the ball into the pitcher.
- You must back up the pitcher. it is not unusual for a throw to the pitcher by the catcher or another player will be missed by the pitcher. You must remain alert throughout the game to retrieve any ball missed by the pitcher. If a ball passes the pitcher and you, it is certain that any base runner will steal the next base or run home to score.
- Usually a throw from from the catcher to 2nd base to catch a steal from 1st to 2nd is covered by the short stop. Your job is to get into position behind second base to stop the ball should the short stop miss the ball. The center fielder comes in to back you up in this play.
- You are usually the first player to make an out in a double play (2nd and 1st). Typically, the short stop or third baseman will catch a quick grounder make a throw to you at 2nd (to force out the runner from 1st to 2nd) and you will throw quickly to 1st base to throw out the batter who is running to first. You may also be the one who cathes the ball in a double play. A ball hit quickly to you allows you to either tag the runner as she passes you or step on second base for the forced out and then throw the runner out at first. Both situations require your speed, concentration, and accuracy to make this important play.
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