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? asked in SportsBaseball · 1 decade ago

Why don't the SS and 2B switch positions for left handed batters in baseball?

Correct me if my thinking is somehow misguided. The shortstop is typically the better of the two middle infielders. Why don't teams move the player at shortstop to second base and the player at second to the shortstop position when there is a lefty at bat? I saw a couple of plays today where it would have made a difference.

Second question. If the shortstop moved to the first base side of second base is his position switched to 2b for that play? What kind of a mess would this cause for stat keeping and scoring?

4 Answers

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  • Operaz
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    First, they won't make that shift because not all lefty hitters pull the ball, many can slap it to any part of the field. Only in the case of a lefty power hitter that pulls the ball, like David Ortiz or Ryan Howard, they move the second baseman to the middle of the way between 1st and 2nd base and a little into right field, while the shortstop moves behind second base.

    And second, nope, even if the shortstop is playing in 2nd base territory, he's still the shortstop.

  • 1 decade ago

    Just my guesses:

    1-a. The shortstop has to have the stronger arm to make put-outs on balls hit to the third-base side. Typically, the second baseman wouldn't have this type of arm. The percentages are more favorable leaving the players in their usual positions.

    1-b. The fielders might not benefit from numerous changes of position.

    2. Score book

    I don't think that the location affects stat keeping and scoring.

  • ?
    Lv 5
    1 decade ago

    He is called the shortstop the while game, but can play anywhere. For example, when Prince Fielder bats, they make the shortstop play on the right field grass but they still call him the shortstop.

  • ?
    Lv 4
    4 years ago

    acceptable, i will no longer be able to write with my left hand in any respect! yet I do a brilliant style of issues with my left hand, curiously i'm left hand eye co-ordinated. Or acceptable, whichever is the alternative of what acceptable handers could be! I open doors, carry luggage and do maximum stuff with my left hand.

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