Shortstop is in located between second and third base . Because balls hit to or near the shortstop position are usually hit harder than to almost any other base , a shortstop must be extremely agile . On some bunt plays , the shortstop often must make a run to third base so that the third baseman can field the bunt and throw to third base in a fielder 's choice play in which the shortstop makes the play at third base .