What position should the weakest defender play?

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I personally believe the weakest defender should be placed in left field - if the pitcher is good and fast enough that most hitters cannot get around on the ball. Otherwise put them in Right field.

A coach that I admire insists that the weakest defender should be put at second base. He believes that they get the lowest amount of action no matter who is on the mound.

I'm looking for opinions?

 

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Re: What position should the weakest defender play

Howard Kobata feels as though second base is a more challenging position than SS because of the responsibilities they have for different situations. I'm inclined to believe him.

Given that, I find it hard to believe that putting the weakest defender there would be good strategy.

 

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Re: What position should the weakest defender play

designated hitter

 

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Re: What position should the weakest defender play

The bench.

 

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Re: What position should the weakest defender play

i can't see the weakest link at second....covering first on bunts? covering short? there were some outstanding second basemen we saw last year that meant alot to their teams...I'm sure we'll get to "well, if they were that good, why not have them at short," jive, but second basemen, like other positions, are as good as those around them...sometimes they make others around them better, from their batting, leadership to fielding.....and there's a reason why guys like Ryne Sandberg and Craig Biggio are or will be in the hall of fame

 

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Re: What position should the weakest defender play

On the opposing team! Sorry.

 

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Re: What position should the weakest defender play

2 words---Bill Mazeroski--who can transfer from glove to hand quicker?

 

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A very good HS coach told me that first base is the place to put your "9th player".

 

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Re: What position should the weakest defender play

A very good HS coach told me that first base is the place to put your "9th player".

I would want to play that team.

 

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I wouldn't want my 9th player on 1st base. Coverage on the bunts, catching the ball for the easy out at first, etc..It would all depend on the strength of your pitcher. I would move that player to the offside outfield position..JMO

 

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I have to agree with Johnnies: The Bench. It doesn't matter where you put the weakest defender, the opposing team will always find that position.

 

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Re: What position should the weakest defender play

A little bird told me a few weeks back that 2b is the most recruited college position - besides pitcher - and they are reputed to be the smartest players. Shortstop the most athletic, 2b the smartest. Take it for what it's worth.

 

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Re: What position should the weakest defender play

By weakest I do not think he means incapable and I think most posters are taking it to the extreme. Maybe the question should be you take your best nine players where do you put the one who is the weakest defensively? I would not think anywhere up the middle of the defense is a good idea.

 

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Re: What position should the weakest defender play

Yeah I am not sure you can hide anybody on the field and feel safe that they wont get much action. If you have a dominating pitcher, about the last place I would put weak defenders is 2nd or 1st, you will get Small balled to death by just a decent coach. It doesnt matter, because we all know whoever you dont want the ball hit too, that is where its going most of the time, so maybe just put her at catcher lol...(BTW putting her at catcher is a joke, so dont get too excited about that comment lol)

 

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Re: What position should the weakest defender play

this post would fall under the How to Lose a Rec Ball Game rule #1

..if at all possible, don't play weakest defender whatsoever, but if you do, this will happen..
a--ball will surely be hit to her, especially with 2 outs, bases loaded, or both
b--girl will most likely cry after having her shin obliterated by a grounder
c--your parents will clap while groaning
d--or grounder will miraculously find itself in glove but will wildly throw home when the easy out was at first

in travel ball, most weak defenders find themselves on johnnies bench...no pun intended

 

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Re: What position should the weakest defender play

in travel ball, most weak defenders find themselves on johnnies bench...no pun intended

The real trick is to not have any weak players.

 

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Re: What position should the weakest defender play

Stat keeper / pitch charter / dugout organizer


The fact is we all have times when we have to find a place for a player with lesser skills to play. The most logical place on the field seems like it would be left field. There is no circumstance that I could think of where I would put that player anywhere on the dirt. Especially 2nd base. This is based not only on pure fielding abilities but infielders tend to have multiple responsibilities ad coverages that they have to be able to execute. Also consider this, you really need to make every out you possibly can that is hit on the ground or in the air on the infield. Extra outs given up here are runs. Remember "The ball always finds the weakest player"

However as coaches it's our main responsibility to get that player better. We tend to spend more time with the bottom three or four then we do with the top six.

 

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Maybe it's just me, but "on the bench" is not a very helpful response. ?Maybe OFC is just a travel ball website, but some people have teams that either by the rules have to play every player, or they want to give every girl a chance to play, and the coach is wanting to know what position the weakest defender should play. ?Some people don't have a team full of ace players; there are a lot of mediocre teams out there.

 

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Re: What position should the weakest defender play

Very surprised to hear 2nd Base as a response...I have always thought that your defense should be "strong through the middle"

C - SS - 2B - CF...The ground those positions cover, account for 65-70% of fair territory...I don't like subbing much for those positions...much

DH - LF - RF

...but that's just me!

 

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Definitely depends on the situation of course. ?But, while I do agree with extra outs given by making mistakes on the infield does usually result in runs, those runs would usually be one at a time. ?If a mistake is made in the outfield with the bases juiced it could mean 3 or 4 runs all at once. ? If we're talking about a really weak defender here then I'd agree with some that maybe its best if she does not play. ?What is she doing playing travel level ball? ? But if I wound up with a player for some reason who couldn't field very well at all, I'd actually probably stick her at 3b, playing regular depth of course, ?unless I know for a fact the team we're facing combined with the pitcher we're throwing will result in alot of pulled balls. ?In that case I'd stick her in RF. ?3rd? ?Am I crazy? ?Maybe, but SS can cover third on steals if need be, and bunts can be handled by pitcher/catcher on that side also alot of times. ?So the only concern would be balls hit to her or covering her base on plays other than steals. ?Or the perfect bunt down that way. ?And how often do you see that? ?SS can cheat on lefty slaps also, which they're kind of supposed to do anyways. ? Think I'll stick with the idea of not having someone on our team who is that much of a liability, or if we had to take her, then absolutely get her up to at least par for a few positions before I put her anywhere.

Oh, and never, ever at Short, 1st or 2nd base.