Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com.
Baseball traditionalists, who may be a dying breed, would much rather watch a game dominated by pitching and defense than watch today’s home run derby contests that are represented to be major league baseball games. A well-played defensive game consists of beautiful choreography; the players move to the ball and to other positions relative to the ball according to rules that are well-defined and much-practiced. The movements that implement the rules must be practiced so often that the defenders recognize situations and move to their respective places without thinking. If the rules are executed properly, all of the defenders will be in motion when the ball is put into play, and no player, including the pitcher, will be a mere spectator, no matter where the ball is hit. This article examines the rules used for various defensive situations.Read More
