--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The key step for an infielder is the…" description: "\"The key step for an infielder is the first one, to the left or right, but before the ball is hit.\" — Earl Weaver" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/977/earl-weaver-16587_baseball_the-key-step-for-an-infielder-is-the-fir_108592.png" --- # The key step for an infielder is the first one, to the… ![“The key step for an infielder is the first one, to the left or right, but before the ball is hit.” quote by Earl Weaver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/977/earl-weaver-16587_baseball_the-key-step-for-an-infielder-is-the-fir_108592.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/977/earl-weaver-16587_baseball_the-key-step-for-an-infielder-is-the-fir_108592.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/977/earl-weaver-16587_baseball_the-key-step-for-an-infielder-is-the-fir_108592.png) > “The key step for an infielder is the first one, to the left or right, but before the ball is hit.” [Earl Weaver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-weaver/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. An infielder’s first move is positioning; anticipating the ball’s direction before it’s hit determines defensive effectiveness. **In simple terms:** Position before the play begins. Key Takeaway Anticipation beats reaction. Themes baseball strategy anticipation defense Mood analytical focused Type sports instructional When to use this quote - in‑game defensive drills - coaching youth baseball - analyzing opponent tendencies Key Concepts spatial awareness pre‑emptive decision‑making Practical Applications - practice footwork patterns - study hitters’ habits Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance preparation with adaptability? - When should you deviate from standard positioning? A Different Perspective Over‑positioning can leave gaps; flexibility is also needed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Baseball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/baseball/) ## Related quotes > [The key step for an infielder is the first one, but before the ball is hit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-weaver/the-key-step-for-an-infielder-is-the-first-one-but-before-the-ball-is/) [Earl Weaver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-weaver/) > [To make progress you must actually get started. The key is to take a step today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/to-make-progress-you-must-actually-get-started-the-key-is-to-take-a/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [Awareness is the first key step in breaking the spell of your not-so-awesome financial 'reality.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-sincero/awareness-is-the-first-key-step-in-breaking-the-spell-of-your-not-so/) [Jen Sincero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-sincero/) > [He works fast. He throws a lot of strikes. That's what an infielder loves. It gets you into the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omar-vizquel/he-works-fast-he-throws-a-lot-of-strikes-that-s-what-an-infielder/) Omar Vizquel > [As an infielder, I know how tough it is to catch a ball that's a line drive right at you in between.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-correa/as-an-infielder-i-know-how-tough-it-is-to-catch-a-ball-that-s-a-line/) [Carlos Correa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-correa/) > [That's probably the most crucial part of being a shortstop, working on your footwork and having good footwork. Because almost everybody in the big…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-crawford/that-s-probably-the-most-crucial-part-of-being-a-shortstop-working-on/) [Brandon Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-crawford/) > [I'm a utility infielder. There's always somebody who is better at a specific task than I am, but I can pitch in at a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabe-newell/i-m-a-utility-infielder-there-s-always-somebody-who-is-better-at-a/) [Gabe Newell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabe-newell/) > [I've always loved the infield, because I came up as an infielder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-zobrist/i-ve-always-loved-the-infield-because-i-came-up-as-an-infielder/) [Ben Zobrist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-zobrist/) > [I always tell myself to bat the full day, and if there is a ball to be hit, just hit it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virender-sehwag/i-always-tell-myself-to-bat-the-full-day-and-if-there-is-a-ball-to-be/) [Virender Sehwag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virender-sehwag/) > [Coming out of college I thought, I'm pretty good, I guess.' But once you're out there - it's a lot faster. The ball's being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-larson/coming-out-of-college-i-thought-i-m-pretty-good-i-guess-but-once-you/) [Jordan Larson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-larson/) > [Of course, in pro ball, they never hit the quarterback in practice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-namath/of-course-in-pro-ball-they-never-hit-the-quarterback-in-practice/) [Joe Namath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-namath/) > [The first rule of baseball is to get a good ball to hit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rogers-hornsby/the-first-rule-of-baseball-is-to-get-a-good-ball-to-hit/) [Rogers Hornsby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rogers-hornsby/) > [Some players just have the natural stroke that you throw them in the lineup and all of the sudden they turn on a ball…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joey-votto/some-players-just-have-the-natural-stroke-that-you-throw-them-in-the/) [Joey Votto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joey-votto/) > [Find out where the ball is, get there; hit it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ranjitsinhji/find-out-where-the-ball-is-get-there-hit-it/) Ranjitsinhji > [On any ball hit to center field, let's just let it roll to see if it might go foul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe/on-any-ball-hit-to-center-field-let-s-just-let-it-roll-to-see-if-it/) [Joe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe/) ## More by Earl Weaver > [Momentum is only as good as tomorrow's starting pitcher.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-weaver/momentum-is-only-as-good-as-tomorrow-s-starting-pitcher/) [Earl Weaver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-weaver/) > [My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get a hold of one, Frank,'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-weaver/my-best-game-plan-is-to-sit-on-the-bench-and-call-out-specific/) [Earl Weaver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-weaver/) > [There was nothing to keep him (Cal Ripken, Jr.) from being a star in the Major Leagues. That was inevitable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-weaver/there-was-nothing-to-keep-him-cal-ripken-jr-from-being-a-star-in-the/) [Earl Weaver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-weaver/) > [A manager's job is simple. 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Momentum is the next day's starting pitcher.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-weaver/momentum-momentum-is-the-next-day-s-starting-pitcher/) [Earl Weaver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-weaver/) > [The only thing that matters is what happens on the little hump out in the middle of the field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-weaver/the-only-thing-that-matters-is-what-happens-on-the-little-hump-out-in/) [Earl Weaver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-weaver/) > [The key step for an infielder is the first one, but before the ball is hit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-weaver/the-key-step-for-an-infielder-is-the-first-one-but-before-the-ball-is/) [Earl Weaver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-weaver/) > [In baseball, you can't kill the clock. You've got to give the other man his chance. 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I can't tolerate anyone's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-weaver/some-have-said-that-i-can-accept-inadequacies-in-my-players-but-not/) [Earl Weaver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-weaver/) > [I don't think, in all the years I managed them, I ever spoke more than thirty words to Frank and Brooks Robinson.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-weaver/i-don-t-think-in-all-the-years-i-managed-them-i-ever-spoke-more-than/) [Earl Weaver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-weaver/) > [Don't worry, the fans don't start booing until July.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-weaver/don-t-worry-the-fans-don-t-start-booing-until-july/) [Earl Weaver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-weaver/) [Explore all 39 Earl Weaver quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-weaver/) ## More Baseball quotes > [I'd always have grease in at least two places, in case the umpires would ask me to wipe one off. 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Guys don't receive it well or whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-schwarber/i-don-t-want-the-electronic-strike-zone-i-like-the-element-of/) [Kyle Schwarber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-schwarber/) > [I sang the National Anthem at Dodger Stadium - at a baseball game - which was crazy; there was, like, 60,000 people there, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-devine/i-sang-the-national-anthem-at-dodger-stadium-at-a-baseball-game-which/) [Adam DeVine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-devine/) > [If I was going to make one rule change, I would bring the DH to the National League.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-brett/if-i-was-going-to-make-one-rule-change-i-would-bring-the-dh-to-the/) [George Brett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-brett/) > [In all honesty, once you become a professional, number one, you're no longer a fan. I don't root for the Dodgers, really. I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vin-scully/in-all-honesty-once-you-become-a-professional-number-one-you-re-no/) [Vin Scully](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vin-scully/) > [I'll tell you what's helped me my entire life. I look at baseball as a game. It's something where people can go out, enjoy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-caray/i-ll-tell-you-what-s-helped-me-my-entire-life-i-look-at-baseball-as-a/) [Harry Caray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-caray/) > [When I step into the batters box. The fans, the noise, the cheers, they all disappear. For that moment, the world is just a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wollstonecraft-shelley/when-i-step-into-the-batters-box-the-fans-the-noise-the-cheers-they/) [Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wollstonecraft-shelley/) > [What we should have done is kept the same team that played in the '95 World Series. 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