Most fans go to baseball games to see big hitters blast the ball over the fence or see pitchers who can blaze the ball past hitters at speeds of 100 miles per hour. But when it comes to winning baseball games, playing defense may be just as important as the other two factors. It may not be as sexy or get as many headlines, but players who can make all the plays win a place close to their managers' hearts.
Signficance
Players who can make all the expected plays and do that consistently help their pitchers get out of innings. A spectacular catch by an outfielder will bring the fans out of their seats and is a great bonus, but infielders have to get in front of ground balls, pick them up and make plays. Quick feet, quick hands and accurate throws are needed because teams that don't make routine plays on ground balls give their opponents extra outs and extra at bats to score runs. Over a long 162-game season, no team can afford to that.
Features
One of the features of a great defense is having a smart catcher who serves as the team's leader on defense. The catcher will often move the defensive players around as a new batter comes to the plate. For example, if a hard-hitting right-handed batter comes up, the catcher may direct the third baseman to play deeper, have the shortstop go in the hole and send the left fielder closer to the fence. He makes these calls not only because of his knowledge of the hitter, but because he knows how the pitcher is throwing on that day and how that hitter is likely to react to his pitches.
Effects
Great defensive play can pick up the team in the field and deflate the team at the plate. When Hall of Famer Frank Robinson was at the peak of his powers with the Baltimore Orioles in the late 1960s and early 1970s, he regularly came to Yankee Stadium and robbed Yankee hitters of home runs by leaning over the short right-field wall and extending his glove to take the ball away from waiting fans. Yet Robinson was not impressed by his own catches. What thrilled him was watching teammate and fellow Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson play third base and rob opponents of sure hits. "He was the best defensive player at any position," Frank Robinson said. "I used to stand in the outfield like a fan and watch him make play after play. I used to think, 'wow, I can't believe this.' "
Types
Proper defensive play is different from spectacular defensive play. Proper play means making all the plays you are supposed to and not making mistakes on routine plays. It is often an indication of great professionalism on the part of major league players. Sparky Anderson managed World Series champions with both the Cincinnati Reds and the Detroit Tigers. Both teams were known for their defense. "That was the most unappreciated aspect of both teams," Anderson said. "When you have players who do what they are supposed to do every single day, you have great pros. That's what I had with both teams and that's a big reason we were able to win."
Warning
Defense is a very important part of baseball but it is not the only part. Teams that depend on defense but don't have the pitching or hitting to go along with the expert glove work will struggle to win. In order to play the game very well, all three aspects of the game along with good base running must come into play.
Types of Plays
Proper fielding is more than just execution--it is knowing the situation and making the appropriate decision. Fielders have to know how to position themselves on a number of different plays. On double plays, the second baseman will have to run to the bag on a ball hit to the left side of the infield. He must take the throw, step on the base and make a quick relay to first. On a ball hit to the right side of the infield, the shortstop will have to do the same. These plays require excellent reactions and hand-eye coordination. When outfielders field a base hit, they may have to throw to third base or home to get the base runner out. On those plays, the pitcher must back up the third baseman or the catcher in case of an overthrow. The shortstop or second baseman will line up the outfielder's throw and either infielder may have to cut off the throw if it is offline or there is another runner to be thrown out.
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