Infield Positions

Softball is a game with nine positions, divided in two categories: infield and outfield. The infield positions consist of first base, second base, short stop, third base, catcher and pitcher. The outfield positions include left, middle, and right field. Starting at a young age, five years old, helped me understand the game. Growing up, I have played many of these positions. Now, second base is my position; it’s a very important position on the infield and can be quite difficult. Playing second comes with many different strategies, scenarios, and plays to learn.
I began playing t-ball when I was five years old. T-ball is much different level than high school ball. Your dads were your coaches, every kid played on the field, and got to hit. You
hit off the tee, boys and girls were on a team together, and everyone won. As I got older, coach pitch was the next step while playing coach pitch, the coach was the pitcher, and everybody got to play. After, coach pitch comes kids pitch. Playing kid pitch, it was now only girls on the team. Your dad was still your coach, but now it’s more completive. The positions are picked and not every kid got to play on the field. One teammate pitch the ball, and an empire behind the catcher. As I got older, my coach told me that I was going to be the catcher. I was so excited. The catcher is one of the most important parts of playing softball. My coach taught me how to catch the ball the right way and how to throw the ball all the way down to second base. When I got older, my throw to second base got better. I could finally aim where I wanted to throw the ball. If the runner was running to the right side of the bag, so the corner closest to the pitcher, I would throw in front of the bag. Kids pitch ended and high school began.
High school softball is much more completive.
Your coach isn’t your dad anymore, you have try outs, and not everyone gets to play. My freshmen year came around and my coach asked what position I usually play. I told him that I was a catcher, and he said “okay, lets see what you got”. I showed him my skills and he helped me improve them. Then, he asked if I would be willing to play second base. I told him that I would give it a try. Me and another player tried out for second base and during our first game, she started before me. Because I was a freshman, I wasn’t upset with his choice. While playing the next game, the second basemen messed up a few times and my coach called me over. I met him at the door of the dug out and told me to get ready because I was going to play next inning. I was so excited. It was my first time playing second base and my first time to show my coach what I could do. The ball was hit to me; and I took my time, fielded it, and threw it to first base. My coach had a smile on his face. He told me after the game, that I did really well and that we would work on being better in
practice.
A couple of practice went by and my coach told me some tips that would help me get better. He said, we have a lot to learn still at second base but I believe that you can do it. Playing second, there are so many different plays and techniques needed to be excited. As a second basemen, my coach taught me how to cover first base in a bunting situation, when to cover second base when the ball is hit to the outfield and to think about different situations. In a game, there is a lot for second basemen to do. The second baseman is the only infield player that truly must play proficiently two base positions…second base and first base (A Case for Second Base, March 29, 2016 paragraph 3). Not only does second base have to play two positons, they also have to turn double plays, tag plays and take away the bunt. Turning a double play is while someone is on first base and the hitter sends the ball to one of the infielders and they throw it to second and then second base throws it to first base and gets both the runners out. A tag play is when someone is on first and the hitter hits the ball to one of the infielders and they tag the runner instead of tagging the base. Lastly, taking away the bunt is when the hitter is bunting and first and third go up towards the home plate and second goes to cover first while one for the infielders gets the ball and throws it to first base. There are so many more defense plays that second basemen need to know. The most important thing that a second basemen needs to be able to do is think and respond fast, and how to communicate with other players around the infield to let them know what pitch is coming or who is covering what base. Also, a few strategies to be in the best position to make plays and to use the field to your advantage. (Communication and Defensive Strategies, August 10, 2015 paragraph 4). I always need to know what to do before the pitcher is about to pitch the ball. My coach told me to always be thinking even when the ball doesn’t come to you.
Communicating is a big part of softball.
Second base and short stop are like two peas in a pod. They should always be talking constantly. When the ball is hit to third and there is runner at first going to second, who should be covering the bag? Second and short stop should be talking through the play, telling each other, “you take it” or “you’ve got time”. When the ball goes out the right field, second should be going out to cut and short stop should be telling then left, right, go out farther or no cut. Tell the second basemen to do all those things helps know if they are line up with the bag so if they do have to catch and throw the ball, they have an idea of where the base is. Also, they should be talking about who gets the base when the catcher is throwing down to second base. Short stop should be calling, I got the bag and after second hear that, and they should be covering behind the bag in case the ball passes the short stop. The right side of the field is the second basemen’s job to cover and the left side of the field is for short stop to cover. The right side of the infield is the second baseman’s domain – anything hit between second base and the right foul line is his responsibility. If he can get to the ball, he should do so. (Batboy Tips February 12, 2012 paragraph
3). Lastly, I think that defense is one of the best parts of playing second base. Hitting is the key to winning games but without a doubt, defense is my favorite part. I love when I get a good play and get the first or last out of the game. It’s always fun to get a good play and to see your coaches face light up with excitement. There were many plays where I have messed up many plays, but I never gave up nor did I let that one mistake determine that I wasn’t good enough to play. With the help of my team and my coaches pushing me to be the best I could be, I am now a senior in high school playing second base for the fourth year. I can’t tell you that playing second base is the easiest position nor is it the hardest, but it’s a great experience. I’m glad that my coach asked me to try out for second base.