Expert: John McInnis - 8/16/2006

Question
Hello i have just finished my first year in babe ruth baseball and i am trying to find my place in the field. All my life it has been baseball and i intend to go all the way already i am working as hard as i can to help my weaknesses. Now let me describe myself i am a short boy with a good arm. I am not fast though i do get a good jump on ground balls. I do not like the outfield at all. I am a somewhat average hitter nothing special not a huge amount of power but i always make contact even if its not a great hit. What I can do however is field i will grab any ball that comes in my range which im not sure how big it is considering my speed and my good jump on the ball. please honestly tell me if i was in your lineup what place in the batting order would you put me in and what defensive postition and why. Thank You

Answer
Hi Jay,

your grasp of the english language is excellent and you write very succinctly.  Well done.

As for your baseball lineup, I would say you'd bat either 6nd or 7th.  I'd want someone who is consistantly making contact with the ball and could either get on base or advance the runners on base.

Regarding your position, since you lack speed, where on the infield would you want to play?  You'll have to work on your speed and throwing accuracy to play infield.  The most agile players are usually catchers, short-stop and 2nd base players. They have speed and have a very strong knowledge of baseball strategies.  If you are left-handed, I would put you on 1st base.  If you are slower BUT have a strong and accurate throw, I'd put you on 3rd base.  

Don't downplay the outfield.  Many kids want to be where the action is (so they think); the infield.  The outfield is just as important and should never be overlooked.  Remember, this is a TEAM sport and everyone contributes.  Would you rather think of yourself and play infield where you may not have the ability (at the moment)?

I was an outfielder when I played baseball.  I played 3rd base when I could but my power was in the outfield (throwing + accuracy) and the team needed me there.  When I was young, I made sure I tried every position before I decided which one I really, really wanted.  I chose 3rd and center-field.  

As a player, you have to be versatile and dependable.  Make it known to your coach that you can be relied upon at the position he assigns you.  Those are the players who think of the team and not themselves.  Make your name in whatever position you are given and you have a better chance of moving around to better places.  What is important is that you learn the game from as many positions as possible.

Best of luck,

JohnMc