Shortstop The shortstop positions himself between the third baseman and the second-base bag. More from Positions. Connect with MLB. The pitcher took notice of him and told his captain these was a promising youngster that would bear watching.
But my bold Dickey was there with both feet — not in fielding, possibly, for nothing came his way — but at bat the youngster was in his element. He was a hard man to pitch to, as all midgets have been, since, from Davy Force to Billy Keeler, and Dickey showed up some of the regular members in getting to first and getting around the bases.
That accidental chance to play made Dickey Pearce. He was put on the regular team and placed at shortstop, for the reason that he was considered to be too short-legged to cover ground in the outfield.
It was a fortunate selection, for Dickey took to shortstop like a duck to water, and in the first game he played in that position, he showed such ability that none of the old-timers on the team had a chance to beat him out of the job. And none did that that for years and years. In fact, Pearce was a close rival of the great and only George Wright for the supremacy in the position. Against the Mutuals in the games the Atlantics played with their New York opponents, and when partisanship was at the highest pitch, Dickey Pearce was always a star.
In the eleventh inning it was Dickey Pearce who started the rally that enabled the Atlantics to win out 8—7. It is a hit that is foul now under the present rules, but in those days there was no rule that prevented it from being perfectly fair.
I have seen both Dickey Pearce and Ross Barnes get three bases by working this foxy bit of batting. I have heard of home runs being made on the same hit, but I never saw it done , and I doubt if Dickey ever did , simply because I do not imagine that his short legs could ever carry him the distance, but many is the game little Dickey sewed up by the shrewd stab. There were lots of objections and protests made in those days on that hit, but no rules could be found to prevent it, and until the rules were altered, Dickey always was high up in the existing batting records.
I am inclined to give John M. Ward the credit of discovering the bunt as now played. But that is a story for a future article. Dickey Pearce made such a big reputation with the Atlantics that he was in demand by the best clubs in the country, and finally he cast his fortunes with the old Mutuals, of New York, his old rivals. Dickey kept in touch with the game for a long time after he got out of active participation in it as a player.
He still continued to retain his popularity with players young and old, by whom he was considered an oracle. Recent blog posts. Explore Wikis Community Central. Register Don't have an account? History Talk 0. Categories Positions Major league shortstops. Universal Conquest Wiki. Shortstops are oftentimes the most athletic player on the field, along with the best glove for fielding ground balls.
The third baseman has to protect the foul line, meaning the shortstop has to range further to his left and his right. Chasing balls in each direction forces the player to throw in difficult such as backhand and forehand. The shortstop can often be seen getting the ball on the run, having to flip his hips back around and throw the ball sidearm.
The same kind of throwing style can be seen by shortstops who are fielding a backhand. We can often see the shortstop backhand the baseball, jump in the air, and throw the baseball.
It would take a half-second longer if the shortstop stopped, planted his foot, then threw the ball all the way across the diamond. The shortstop skill set requires quick lateral movement and precise accuracy when throwing to first. Due to the fact, the shortstop is on the left side of the diamond, shortstops are typically right-handed throwers. As a right-handed thrower would be able to scoop the baseball and make an immediate throw, a left-handed shortstop would have to gather the baseball, turn their entire body, then throw the baseball.
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