At a time of the year when batting cages and training facilities are full with player working on their swings and pitching mechanics, there is a part of the game that is commonly being neglected. That part is Defense.
Often overlooked, defense is a skill that can bring you a long way in this game, and a skill that can be easily improved should a player devote the proper amount of time to it. Outstanding defensive players are few and far between, and when you see them, it is easily apparent. They have a certain look and flare that separates them from everyone else on the field, and it all starts with taking pride in the defensive side of the game. Having been around some of the best defensive players in the game, I have realized there is one thing all of today’s greatest defenders have in common-They love playing defense and thrive on saving runs for the respective teams. They remember all of their great plays, and they love sharing defensive stories with similar type players.
Just last year I headed down to Texas to see the Texas Rangers play a series against the Toronto Blue Jays. The shortstop for the Blue Jays is a guy named John McDonald, a perennial Gold Glove candidate and a former minor league teammate of mine with the Cleveland Indians. I made a point to say hello to John during batting practice, and upon seeing me, he immediately ran off the field and into the clubhouse to grab his new gloves he wanted to show me. He was so excited and couldn’t wait to see what I thought of them. We ended up meeting for dinner after the game, and there we were walking the streets of Dallas, talking defense and making phantom plays in our street clothes. I’m sure we drew some very weird looks from a few passer by’s, but it’s this type of obsessive behavior and passion that most good defensive players possess. Especially middle infielders. Unfortunately, that is not the norm and I can’t tell you how many games I saw last year where players of all ages and skill levels just didn’t seem ready to field a ball hit to them. They looked flat footed and lazy, and basically just disinterested in making a play.
Obviously runs are produced on the offensive side of the game, but we forget that just as many runs can be saved on the defensive side. I can talk all day about the proper way to field a ball, but if the player isn’t ready, we have some serious problems. It’s very easy to fall into the trap of reliving a poor at bat, or getting tired of watching your pitcher walk guy after guy.
Baseball can be a slow moving game, but when that ball is put into play, the spotlight is on whomever the ball is hit to. It’s an opportunity to shine, and being alert, prepared, and mentally tough will put us in a great position to make the play. A good fielder should constantly be thinking various thoughts. For example: How many outs? Where should I be throwing the ball if it’s hit my way? What’s the score? What are the hitters tendencies? What are thefield conditions? Should I be aggressive on certain balls, or play it safe due to the time and score of the game? The odds are, the ball will not be hit your way, but having the same intensity on every pitch will ensure defensive success. It never fails that just when you let your guard down, a game changing moment takes place, and your lack of readiness costs your team the game.
Over the next seven issues of Baseball Player Magazine, I will share insights on various defensive subjects. In the meantime, don’t forget to get some glove work in this winter, an be the player who wants the ball hit to them this upcoming season.
