What makes the middle infielders the #1 athletes on the field

Just wonderig what people thought about what makes the ss and second basemen the top ahletes on the field. Is it the quick feet, smooth hands, quick hands. What is it that makes them so good. I love to go to a college or pro game and watch the pre-game with the middle guys. Its crazy. Its better than the bombs. The best guy to watch is Furcal of the Braves. Watch his body going to a ground ball and then tell me f you have ever seen a ball come out of a mans hand like it comes out of his. It is sweet.

 

I don't think it's the position they play that makes them good athletes. I'd say the good athletes usually play those positions based on the physical attributes required to get the job done.

 

most people claim pitchers are the least athletic.... how do you figure?

i've always thought that... (i might be a little biased)... pitchers are one of the most athletic guys on the team simply because they do more running and conditioning than field guys?

 

Every position requires slightly different skills. Some skills (like a strong arm) are pretty much universal, but more essential in some positions than others. I wouldn't say that, necessarily, the middle infielders are the best athletes on the team. They may have the quickest first 2 steps, moving towards the ball in the hole. The CF is generally faster that either. The third baseman needs to have the quickest reflexes (even if he is slower laterally).

No other positions on the field have the mental demands on them that the pitcher and catcher face.

You're now at the point of "What defines an athlete?".

What you should have really said is that the "physical attributes I admire most" are generally found in the middle infielders.

I have a fondness for catchers personally.

 

I think of best athletes as being able to succeed in multiple sports. In my opinion, basketball players are the best athletes...the way they can control their bodies. And most ss in baseball control their bodies the same way.

It's not always the case, but I tend to agree with sugarjet...ss are usually the best athlete.

 

I'll take a SS who may be a step slower, but has an excellent knowledge of the game, and good leadership skills, over a pure athlete anyday. A lot of times they make themselves look better athletically than they are, do to proper positioning and just plain knowing what to do when. But that really wasn't the subject was it, lol.

 

No it was the son. But how can I get better if I don't ask.

When SS in high school get to college they can and sometimes do get moved to the outfield. I have talked to colleges that say they will take 6 ss to but them in the outfield and at other spots in the infield. Look at the pros and list the outfielders that have been moved from short to out there. shef the yankee/chipper just to name a few.

 

The truth is that in most cases HS SSs are the most ( or at least one of the most ) athletic players on the field. In a lot of cases, when he's not at SS, he's on the bump.

In todays game, where kids are bigger, stronger, faster, and more athletic, it's become very difficult for a lesser athletic person compete successfully.

On the other hand, it seems to me that there are more and more kids that fit that athletic mold. Case in point, take a look at the outstanding baseball talent in NC alone.

 

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In talking to many coaches and recruiters, the overwhelming feeling I get is that "generally" the best athlete on the field is the short stop. And if you start looking at college rosters, you will find a plethora of players that include SS in their resume. Just to name a few:

Greg Mangum - East Meck SS, now UNC 2b
Jordan Taylor - Independence, now Pfeiffer OF
Robert Woodard - Myers Park ss, 3b, now UNC pitcher
Goose - Christian SS, where will he wind up????