why is a shortstop called a shortstop?
396638
Because he stops short of being in the outfield.
487334
When a team closes the game, and they are WINNING, with any one of it's relievers based on matchups.  They do not have a dominant closer on their team like a Yankees team with Mariano Rivera.  Make sense?
239436
"hit the baseball"...real hard!! a baseball is often called an apple."chuck that apple in here".  one of the great things about baseball is its jargon, and colorfuull use of the engish language... not to mention its colorfull history and crazzy assortment of characters...an interesting subject even for those who dont know the game... see ken burns book or film.
685778
Say a manager wants to insert an outfielder (OF) into the game. He decides to put him in centre field, but in a double switch, instead of the centre fielder coming out for the new player, he instead takes the place of another field player say the right fielder. So in the end, you have the newly inserted outfielder in centre, and the former centre fielder playing right field.\n\nThis is most commonly used in the infield instead. Infielders usually can only play one position. A double switch allows infielders to play their natural position, while also allowing the manager to keep the players he wants in the game on the field.
449194
the easiest position in the outfield is the right field. there is an abundance of right handed hitters and not many left handed hitters. hitters love to pull the ball the opposite direction and since there are more right handed hitters than left, the third baseman, shortstop and left fielder have alot to handle. the centerfielder is the toughest outfield position. center field is the deepest part of the stadium therefore the centerfielder has alot of gaps to his responsibility. \n\nIn the infield, the first baseman most often have the easiest job. they just need to hold their ground next to their base and be prepared to catch the ball from the other infielders. that is why you usually see players that are big and not very mobile power hitters, or players that have come off of an injury like nomar garciaparra playing first since first basemans dont need defensive skills. the rest of the infield must have good defense. third base is very difficult because of the right handed hitters pulling the ball as i mentioned. they call third base the hot corner because the balls fly right off the hitters bats like a bullet, and you need quick reaction time or else youll get screwed. a shortstop also needs a cannon arm because of the distance he has to throw the ball to first base, and the ability to turn double plays with the second baseman. the second baseman is the second easiest job in the infield because he is closest to the first baseman, hence he doesnt need much range on his throws like the shortstop. he only has to cover his base, have legit defense and good chemistry with his shortstop for a double play team.
23316
The thin light bat allows you to better control when hitting pop-ups/grounders to individual players.  This exercise was called fun go at some point and thus the bat became fungo.  Why fungo?  Probably some kids were having fun making the ball go where they want and fungo was born.
198320
Originally, he was a catcher...then a first baseman..then a centerfielder before making the move to right field.  He was moved from catcher because he kept overthrowing second base on steal attempts... Later on, he became one of the best fielders in the game in center.
1029433
Greetings from the Yahoo Brain in New York City!  \nHope you're watching the live Answers webcast at http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/asktheplanet/brain.html !\n\n\nI know many teams employ a seemingly random rotation between the second baseman and the shortstop, so as to keep the opposing batters guessing as to where the hole would be.\n\nHope this helps!\n\n--J.
304803
Yes, it's the same as if the 2nd baseman or shortstop grabs a ground ball and steps on the base.  When the player has control of the ball it essentially becomes a part of his body.  Any part of him could touch the base and the runner would be called out.
1030031
In general, a lefty would use a glove that goes on his right hand.  The reason is that you want your stronger arm (the left) available for throwing, which requires more strength than catching.
473250
It is a home run that ends the game.  The term "walk-off" comes from the days of Lou Gehrig.  After he hit a three-run home run to win a game for the Yankees his teammates walked-off the field, into the dug-out, and into the locker room.  They did this before rounding the bases and touching home plate.  All the runs were scored and the umpire called the game before Gehrig himself could even make his way to home.
990982
Baseball, also know as "hardball" is where the game is played with a smaller ball, and the pitcher throws the ball overhand.  The second difference, and ofter forgotten, is that the base runners can leave the base to steal at any time they choose.  Also, "leading off", or standing off the base is allowed.\n\nSoftball uses a ball with a larger diameter, and the pitcher throws the ball underhand.  \n\nThere are 2 types of pitching styles allowed in softball.  First, "Fastpitch" softball allows the pitcher to wind their arm over up and over their head and pitch the ball in straight line.  Speed is the focus on pitching.  The strike zone is the same in baseball, which is throwing the ball over the plate, above the batters knees, and below their elbows.  As for base running, the runner must stand on the bag until the pitcher releases the ball towards home plate.\n\nThe second is "Slowpitch", where the pitcher throws the ball underhand,  up in the air towards the batter, and must reach an arc between 9 to 12 feet.  Different then "fast pitch", a strike is called when the ball "falls" and hits the plate, and a 1 foot extension on the back of the plate.  \n\nFor base-running in "slowpitch", a runner can not leave their base until  the ball crosses the plate.\n\nLastly, in Professional Baseball, you have 9 innings.  In Softball, you only have 7 innings.\n\nI also think in baseball you can do a lot more spitting :)
339965
The catcher for the World Champion of 1903 -- the Boston Pilgrims -- was Lou Criger. (Cy Young was also on the team.) By the way, Honus Wagner was a shortstop, not a catcher.
415400
it stands for wild pitch\nwhen a pitcher throws a ball that a catcher cant simply handle\nits a wild pitch
320079
ok i see pretty much everyone gave you the details about dat but i'm going to give you all the numbers to the players it will kiss your confusion good bye... \n\n1. Pitcher\n2. Catcher\n3. 1st baseman\n4. 2nd baseman\n5. 3rd baseman \n6. Short stop\n7. Left Field \n8. Center Field\n9. Right Field\n\nhope this helps
319826
The Pittsburgh Crawfords played the 1927 Yankess several times and won the bulk of the games. The primary reason is that the Yanks - as did all major league teams of that era - primarily played flat footed home run oriented baseball. The Negro Leagues played a rounded game of hit and run and they had power. Their pitching was phenomenal. Also it was not uncommon for Negro league and major league players to play together in the off season down in Mexico and Latin American. Several white players touted the Black players prowess one of them being Stan Musial.
1108464
I love Mizuno gloves, though I don't remember using a Mizuno catchers glove when I played catcher. I always used Rawlings catchers gloves in little league up through high school. My outfielders glove is Mizuno and I have had that for almost 20 years. My goodness!! 20 years!!! Am I that old? No, I just got it when I was in Jr High and it's still great.