Does anyone have an helpful hints on catching pop ups that are hit directly behind the shortstop.What is the right way to play this
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
are you asking if its a blooper over your head?--if thats the case generally you're suppose to turn and run and get position under the ball then turn back. or a skyed ball. . .you catch it next to your face
it's a tough play. the best way to play it is to try and camp under it. having someone toss fly balls is an easy way to practice the play. The more you do it the more comfortable you'll feel with it.
When you camp under it do you back pedle to get to it or do you turn your back to the plate and just run straight back. Do you take your eyes off the ball as you run back?
That and the low liner are the two toughest IF plays. What I do is call off everyone and run like heck after it. If I catch it, I guess I did it right. lol
to me this is one of the funnest plays to make...what i do is turn with my back to home plate but at the same time never taking my eyes off the ball. Its the same way an outfielder would try to catch a ball hit over their head, they turn to go get it but never take their eyes off and never cross their feet.
Well Im not a shortstop but what I do at first base is I turn around and run towards where I think it's going to fall and never take my eye off of the ball.. get your teammates around you to tell you if your about to run into the fence or not... it's always better for a ball to fall in front of you than behind you!!!
ok well, i dont really play ss, but ive made these plays a thousand times, i also have played the outfield, and on any ball hit over your head that you are going to have to run for, you dont look at the ball it only slows you down. i mean if its a blooper yea you have to look, but you have to judge how hard it is hit and run to that spot then find the ball. generally i take 3 or 4 hard steps then look and then i re adjust.