Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the ball slightly, so more balls go to the shortstop than any other position. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the shortstop is assigned the number 6.
Shortstops are required to cover second base in double play situations when the ball is hit to the second baseman, first baseman, pitcher, or catcher. They often cover second when a runner is attempting a stolen base. They also must cover third at various times, including the rotation play; that is, when there are runners on first and second and a sacrifice bunt is attempted. Shortstops generally are given precedence on catching pop-ups in the infield as well, so they end up calling off other players many times, although on deep pop-ups they fall back when called off by an outfielder. The short stop also has to back up a throw from the catcher to the third baseman when the runner is attempting to steal third base (Normally this action is not done at the major league level because the catcher is better at throwing, the third baseman is better at catching the ball, and the left fielder is there to back up third base. This action is usually performed in little league baseball.).
Traditionally, players are selected as shortstops for their fielding prowess, but in recent years more shortstops with excellent hitting have entered the leagues as well. It is an exclusively right-handed position, as a righty can easily throw to first or second without having to physically turn after playing a ground ball, the most common type of hit directed at the shortstop.

Baseball Hall of Fame members

Ozzie Smith - 13
Omar Vizquel - 11
Luis Aparicio - 9
Mark Belanger - 8
Dave Concepcion - 5
Tony Fernandez - 4
Alan Trammell - 4
Derek Jeter - 3
Barry Larkin - 3
Roy McMillan - 3
Rey Ordóñez - 3
Gene Alley - 2
Larry Bowa - 2
Don Kessinger - 2
Edgar Renteria - 2
Cal Ripken, Jr. - 2
Alex Rodriguez - 2
Zoilo Versalles - 2
Maury Wills - 2 Multiple Gold Glove Award winners

Ozzie Smith: 621 (St. Louis Cardinals, 1980)
Glenn Wright: 601 (Pittsburgh Pirates, 1924)
Dave Bancroft: 598 (Philadelphia Phillies/New York Giants, 1920)
Tommy Thevenow:597 (St. Louis Cardinals, 1926)
Ivan DeJesus: 595 (Chicago Cubs, 1977)
Cal Ripken: 583 (Baltimore Orioles, 1984)
Whitey Wietelmann: 581 (Boston Braves, 1943)
Dave Bancroft: 579 (New York Giants, 1922)
Rabbit Maranville: 574 (Boston Braves, 1914)
Don Kessinger: 573 (Chicago Cubs, 1968) All time single season assist leaders among shortstops

Donie Bush: 425 (Detroit Tigers, 1914)
Hughie Jennings: 425 (Baltimore Orioles [National League], 1895)
Joe Cassidy: 408 (Washington Senators, 1905)
Rabbit Maranville: 407 (Boston Braves, 1914)
Dave Bancroft: 405 (New York Giants, 1922)
Eddie Miller: 405 (Boston Braves, 1940)
Monte Cross: 404 (Philadelphia Phillies, 1898)
Dave Bancroft: 396 (New York Giants, 1921)
Mickey Doolan: 395 (Phiadelphia Phillies, 1906)
Buck Weaver: 392 (Chicago White Sox, 1913) Other notable stars

Jason Bartlett
Clint Barmes
Angel Berroa
Yuniesky Betancourt
Orlando Cabrera
Alex Cora
Bobby Crosby
Stephen Drew
David Eckstein
Adam Everett
Rafael Furcal
Alex Gonzalez
Carlos Guillen
Bill Hall
J.J. Hardy
Cesar Izturis
Felipe Lopez
Julio Lugo
Derek Jeter
Jhonny Peralta
Hanley Ramirez
Edgar Renteria
Jose Reyes
Jimmy Rollins
Miguel Tejada
Ryan Theriot
Troy Tulowitzki
Juan Uribe
Omar Vizquel
Jack Wilson
Michael Young