Why Is It Called a Shortstop in Baseball? Every Position’s Name Explained

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It is called a shortstop because the position started as a “short fielder” who stopped balls between the infield and the outfield. In the 1840s and 1850s, the ball was light and hard to throw far, so a player stood in shallow left center to relay throws from the outfielders. Credit usually goes to Daniel “Doc” Adams of the New York Knickerbockers, who played the role and helped move it into the infield. The chart below explains the name and number of every position.

Baseball positions explained
All nine positions, their numbers and where the names come from
Numbers are the scorekeeping numbers used to record plays, like a 6 to 4 to 3 double play.
1
PitcherFrom early rules that required the ball to be pitched, or tossed underhand, to the batter.Key skills: arm strength, command and stamina.
2
CatcherNamed for catching every pitch behind home plate.Key skills: toughness, framing and a quick release.
3
First basemanGuards first base, where most outs are recorded.Key skills: soft hands and scooping low throws.
4
Second basemanPlays between first and second base.Key skills: quick feet and turning double plays.
5
Third basemanGuards third base, the “hot corner”.Key skills: fast reactions and a strong arm.
6
ShortstopOriginally a “short fielder” who stopped balls between the infield and outfield.Key skills: range, a strong arm and leadership of the infield.
7
Left fielderCovers the left side of the outfield.Key skills: reads balls pulled by right handed hitters.
8
Center fielderCovers the middle and most ground in the outfield.Key skills: speed and leadership of the outfield.
9
Right fielderCovers the right side of the outfield.Key skills: the strongest outfield arm, for throws to third.
The shortstop is the only position not named for a base or a spot on the field.

How the Shortstop Moved Into the Infield

As baseballs got harder and livelier, outfielders could throw all the way to the infield on their own, and the short fielder moved in between second and third base. The name stuck even after the job changed. Today the shortstop covers more ground than any other infielder, handles the most chances on ground balls and usually directs the infield defense.

Why the Shortstop Is Number 6

The scorekeeping numbers run around the infield from first to third base, then jump to the shortstop at 6 before moving to the outfield. The most common explanation is that the numbers were set when the shortstop was still thought of as a roving fielder rather than a true infielder, so the position was numbered after the other three.

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The National Baseball Hall of Fame covers the Knickerbockers and early baseball, and MLB.com defines each position.