How to Play Shortstop and Second Base
A practical guide to playing shortstop and second base: the ready position, fielding and throwing, turning the double play, covering bases, relays and the communication that holds a middle infield together.
The middle infield is where a team's defense is held together. The shortstop and the second baseman handle more ground balls than most players on the field, take part in nearly every double play, cover the bases on steals and bunts, and act as relay men for throws from the outfield. The two positions look similar from the stands, but the work is different: the shortstop is the long-range fielder with the strong arm, and the second baseman is the quick-footed player who works in tight spaces and turns the double play.
This guide is for young players, parents and coaches who want a clear picture of what each position asks and how to practise it. It covers the basics of fielding and throwing, the double play, the situations that decide who covers what, and the habits of communication that prevent collisions and missed pop-ups. It gives general coaching advice only. For guidance on rules, equipment and workloads at your level, follow your league's published guidelines and talk to a qualified coach.
Two positions, two jobs
The scoring numbers tell part of the story. In the standard scorekeeping system, the shortstop is 6 and the second baseman is 4, so the classic double play is written 6-4-3, shortstop to second baseman to first baseman, or 4-6-3 when the second baseman starts it. Each of them touches the ball on most of the plays that involve the middle of the diamond.
The shortstop plays between second and third base, deeper than the second baseman, and has the longest throw in the infield. The position asks for range to both sides, a strong and accurate arm, and the judgment to take charge of the infield. Shortstop also has priority on pop-ups and ground balls that other infielders can reach, which makes the player the leader of the infield by default.
The second baseman plays between first and second base, closer to the bag, and makes shorter throws. The position asks for soft hands, quick feet and an instinct for the double play. The second baseman also covers first base on some bunts and acts as a relay man for the right side of the outfield. Many coaches value good footwork and a quick release more than raw arm strength at second.
Neither position is reserved for a particular body type. Size matters less than footwork, balance and decisions, and young players often play both positions as they develop.
The ready position and the first step
Good infield play starts before the pitch. The ready position is an athletic stance with the feet a little wider than the shoulders, the knees bent, the weight on the balls of the feet and the glove out in front, low to the ground. The body should be balanced so that it can move in any direction.
A routine helps. Many players take a small step or hop as the pitcher releases the ball, so that their feet are moving when the ball is hit. The step has a name, the split step, and it lets the player push off in either direction with the first move. Standing still and then reacting costs a fraction of a second, and in the infield a fraction of a second is the difference between an out and a hit.
Before each pitch, the middle infielder should know the situation: the number of outs, the runners, the score, the batter's tendencies and the plan if the ball comes to him. The thinking is quick. For example, with a runner on first and fewer than two outs, the plan is often to start a double play; with two outs, the plan is the nearest sure out. A player who has decided in advance does not hesitate when the ball is hit.
Fielding a ground ball
The fundamentals are the same at every level.
- Get in front of the ball. Move so that the ball comes to the center of your body, if you can. A ball fielded in front stays in front if it takes a bad bounce.
- Stay low. Keep the glove near the ground and bend at the knees, not at the waist. It is easier to raise the glove than to lower it.
- Use two hands. The glove catches the ball and the throwing hand covers it. Two hands keep the ball in the glove and put the hand in position for the throw.
- Let the ball travel into your body. Give with the ball, as you would to catch an egg, and avoid stabbing at it.
- Field it, then throw it. Fielding first and throwing second is the right order. A player who thinks about the throw before he has the ball will often miss it.
- Keep your eyes on the ball. Watch it into the glove.
A few shortcuts are for specific situations. On a ball hit to the side, a backhand play lets the fielder reach across his body; the key is to keep the feet moving and to get the glove out ahead. On a slow roller, a barehand play is sometimes the quickest route to a throw, but it is a play for advanced players with a good reason, not for beginners. A ball in the hole between short and third often requires a long, strong throw from deep in the infield, which is the shortstop's special task.
Throwing from the middle infield
The throw is a footwork problem as much as an arm problem. The aim is to turn the body to the target, step toward it and throw with the body, not just the arm.
- Grip the ball across the seams, with the fingers on top, so that the ball carries and does not tail.
- Turn your chest and shoulders toward the target before the release.
- Step toward the base and finish the throw with the weight moving forward.
- On a deep ball to the hole, many players use a crow hop, a small skip that builds momentum toward the base.
- On a quick play, a short, firm throw to the chest of the first baseman is better than a long, high one.
A throw made off-balance is less accurate, and arm strain can grow with throwing mechanics that depend only on the arm. The advice for young players is to warm up before throwing hard, to stop when the arm is tired and to follow the guidelines for rest in the youth pitch counts article, which also apply in spirit to infielders who throw a lot. If a player has arm pain, a doctor or athletic trainer is the right person to ask, not a coach or a website.
Turning the double play
The double play is the signature skill of the middle infield, and it is a matter of teamwork and timing. A typical double play involves a fielder who gathers the ball, a middle infielder who takes the throw at second base, and a first baseman who catches the relay.
For the fielder, the key is a quick, accurate feed. A shortstop or second baseman who fields a ball to the second-base side often makes the feed with a short underhand toss, or with the glove, at chest height and out in front of the bag. The player covering second needs a throw he can catch while moving.
For the pivot man, the footwork around the bag matters. The goal is to catch the ball, touch the base and throw to first with the body under control. Some players step on the bag as they catch the ball and then step away from the runner as they throw; others drag a foot across the base. Coaches teach several methods, and the best one is the one that a player can do reliably at his level of strength and speed.
For safety, the runner and the pivot man must both be careful. Rules about sliding and contact vary by league and level, and many youth leagues have specific rules about sliding into second base on a double play. Follow your league's rules, and let your coach teach the footwork that fits them.
For timing, the aim is not to rush. A rushed throw that goes wide may cost the team the out at first and leave the runner on second. A clean out at second is better than a bad throw on a double play that was never available.
Who covers what
Many of the decisions in the middle infield are about who takes the bag, and teams use rules to make them automatic. The table shows some common patterns. Coaches vary, so use the version your team teaches.
| Situation | Shortstop's job | Second baseman's job |
|---|---|---|
| Ground ball to the shortstop, runner on first | Field and start the double play | Cover second base and take the throw |
| Ground ball to the second baseman, runner on first | Cover second base and take the throw | Field and start the double play |
| Steal of second | One of the two covers; the other holds | The other covers; the other holds |
| Bunt with a runner on first | Often covers second or third | Often covers first as the first baseman charges |
| Throw from the outfield to a base | Relay man for throws from left field and left-center | Relay man for throws from right field and right-center |
| Pop-up between the infielders | Takes priority over the third baseman and the second baseman when he can reach it | Calls and gives way as needed |
On steals, teams usually decide who covers second by a signal or by a simple rule, often tied to the batter's handedness. Players should know their team's rule and should not change it in the middle of a game.
On throws from the outfield, the middle infielders line up between the outfielder and the base as relay men. The outfielder throws to the relay man's chest, and the relay man turns and throws to the base. Relay men also watch the ball and the runners, and sometimes the catcher or a coach calls for a cut-off, which means the relay man catches the throw and holds it to prevent a runner from advancing.
Pop-ups and communication
Most collisions in the infield happen because two players go for the same ball and neither speaks. Good communication fixes this.
- Call early and call loud. "I've got it" or "Mine" should be shouted several times as the ball drops.
- Know the priority. The player who is moving forward, with the ball in front of him, generally takes the ball. The shortstop usually has priority over the second baseman and the third baseman on a pop-up. Outfielders have priority over infielders on balls in the gap, because they are running in with the ball in front of them.
- Back off when someone else calls. If someone else calls for it, get out of the way.
- Use the infield fly rule. With runners on first and second or the bases loaded and fewer than two outs, a fair fly ball that an infielder can catch with ordinary effort is an automatic out for the batter, whether or not it is caught. The middle infielder should know the situation and what the umpire's call means.
Talk to the other infielders between pitches. Remind them of the outs, the play and the shift. A middle infielder who keeps up a steady conversation makes the whole infield better.
Positioning
Where a middle infielder stands depends on the situation, and the choices follow a few principles.
- Normal depth is a few steps behind the baseline with room to charge, tuned to the batter's speed and strength.
- Double-play depth moves the infielders a little closer to second base and a little shallower, to shorten the throw, in exchange for a smaller area covered.
- Infield in moves the infielders forward to cut off a run at home, at the cost of more hits through the infield.
- Guarding the lines is for late innings when a double down the line would beat you.
The rules of professional baseball now limit shifting. As of the 2025 season, major-league rules require two infielders on each side of second base, with their feet on the infield dirt when the pitch is delivered. Rules at youth, high school and college levels differ, so check your own league.
A short practice plan
Practice makes the movements automatic. A simple 30-minute routine for a middle infielder might include the following. Adjust the volume to the age and the level of the player, and stop if arm fatigue is an issue.
- Warm up with easy throwing and some light stretching.
- Footwork, with short drills that practise the split step, shuffles to each side and the crow hop.
- Ground balls from a coach or a partner, starting slowly, to the left and right, then in-and-out. Aim for quality over quantity.
- Feeds and pivots, with a partner, practising the toss and the footwork at second base without a runner.
- Situations, calling out the outs and the runners before each rep and making the right throw.
- Cool down with light throwing and a short review of what went right.
Home practice also helps: a ball against a wall, soft toss with a partner or fielding a tennis ball on an uneven surface. Short, frequent sessions beat one long one.
Common mistakes
Playing the ball instead of getting in front. Reaching for the ball on the side with one hand leads to bad hops.
Rushing the throw. The play is not over until the throw is made accurately.
Standing straight up. A high body means a high glove, and a ball can go underneath.
Not knowing the situation. A player who has not thought about the next play will be slower to make it.
Failing to talk. Silence causes collisions and dropped pop-ups.
Forgetting to back up. Middle infielders should move to back up throws and bases when they are not involved in the play.
Common questions
Which is harder, shortstop or second base? They are hard in different ways. Shortstop asks for range and a stronger arm, and second base asks for quick feet and the ability to turn a double play under pressure. Many players learn both.
Who is the leader of the infield? Usually the shortstop, who has the best view and priority on most plays, but the role is shared, and good communication comes from everyone.
Do I need a strong arm to play second base? Less than at shortstop, since the throws are shorter, but accuracy and a quick release matter a great deal.
How should I practise on my own? Use short sessions with a wall, a soft ball and a partner, and focus on footwork and clean fields. Rest if your arm is sore.
Can lefties play shortstop or second? Left-handed throwers rarely play there, because many plays require a turn of the body before the throw to first, so they tend to play first base, the outfield or pitch. It is a matter of mechanics and comfort, not a rule.
Where to go next
Learn about the other infield corners in how to play first base and third base, the plays that begin with the catcher in how to play catcher and the other side of the field in how to play the outfield. To keep score of your own games, including the 6-4-3 and 4-6-3 double plays, try the scoresheet, and for more on the youth game visit the youth baseball pages.