The Best Defensive Shortstop

[retep]

Hey everyone. We've had many people playing down at SS the last few games. I wanted to open up a discussion regarding who the best one out there is.

I don't really have any opinon on this issue, so someone needs to comment.

All I can say is that I have a career 1.000 fielding percentage at SS!
I will ignore the fact that I've only made one play at SS.

[Cuong]

We should have like a MVP at end of the baseball season..That'll be pretty cool...

[Baseball=Life]

Yeah, that would be cool!

And everyone who has played even one single game could vote!

[Rich B.]

I would have said I would be the best shortstop two games ago, but I've that's not the case lately. But I shall soon make my triumphant return!

[Cuong]

I guess those who vote for MVP cannot vote themselves...

[Southpaw Slim]

Well, since I normally have to face Dorian out there, my first inclination is to nominate him for best SS, but then I got to thinking about how well Scott handles the position when he's at full strength. The only downside to his game is his tendency to overthrow the ball to first (which we are all guilty of). But I remember his game when he wasn't wearing all the knee and ankle braces that he has to put on now, and there was no thought of even hitting it to the left side when he was on the field. I might as well have walked over and handed it to him. That's when I used to launch it back at the pitcher (before the Chris incident) and try to beat the throw to 2nd.

So, in summary:
Scott - great defense, excellent range, 110% given on every play (which sometimes doesn't help)
Dorian - quick reflexes, not quite the same range, slightly more accurate but also slightly slower throws to first
Rich - Sorry, man. Nothing really stands out in my mind. Probably solid.
Rico - what the hell ever happened to that guy? He was a pretty good SS.

[retep]

Rich has the best arm from SS, but Scott has the best range.

[Southpaw Slim]

Yeah. I haven't played 1st in so long that I don't even really know how well each infielder plays anymore. And when I hit I just make contact and keep my head down, hoping an errant throw doesn't bean me in the skull.

[retep]

Trust me... as a 1B, I appriciate strait throws... even if they're in the dirt.

[TheLegend]

It's definately between Dorian and Scott, and I think Scott has the slight advantage because of his arm and range even

Rich, I always actually considered youa 3rd baseman who was unfortunately booted to SS when on my team.

[Baseball=Life]

Well, thanks to all those who think I can do a decent job at SS. Honestly, I needed that--my confidence has waned a bit due to the last 2 games (overthrows and underthrows from me while at middle-infield positions).

Yeah, Nick, Rico was definitely a solid SS. Not quite the range of myself, but superior arm in terms of consistency, even overall-not just my recent games. I expect to see Rico back in games with us starting next game (because football season will be over). He'll probably be into this forum as well.

Anyway, there are a few other good defensive SS's...... Dorian & Rich (as mentioned), plus Ryan (came to probably 4 games with is brother Robert). I know there's at least one other that isn't coming to mind.....


(':?:') (':?:') (':?:')

[Guest]

In addition to considering arm strength and range, one should also look at general game awareness of the SS. The SS is responsible for most of for being cut off, doing a quick relay, and making tags at 2nd. If you look at these qualities, I think it adds to my nominatation for best SS.

I'll work on my range. In defence of my weak arm, I am a born left hander. I learned how to throw with my right arm a few years ago solely to play infield. Give it a few more weeks and I'll have some arm strength. And if it doesn't get better I can always get a left handers glove and really school y'all at short.

- D-trizzle (Dorian)

Now I actually have to figure out how to use this message board and put up stupid picture of myself.

[Southpaw Slim]

Dorian, I've seen Scott relay a throw MANY times. He keeps the ball moving toward the plate in a fluid motion with a quick release. No offense, but it'd be hard to prove you could do better.

[dtrizzle]

Yeah, you're probably right. I guess I can't think of too many times where I actually remember Scott throwing out someone (besides at first) or tagging out someone. But I do remember hearing Kenyatte complain all week about how many lobs or overthrows that Scott threw when trying to get a runner out.

But it's all perception and maybe I'm focusing on the errors because when things go right we don't notice as often.

- D

[Southpaw Slim]

No, I totally hear you on that. Scott does have his fair share of overthrows, and I can assure you nobody is more aware of them than him. Last game I remember him talking about concentrating more on accuracy the next game we play.