Errors

I would relax and then he will be more likely to relax. He is probably just pressing and trying too hard. The key to the position is to start low and stay low as you move to the ball. No standing tall running to field and then bending over. Start low, stay low, and have fun!

Enjoy watching your son while you can, it does fly by!

Eleven errors in 20 games for a soph. SS isn't excessive. 

Just enjoy watching your son and don't worry about this stuff.  Sounds like his coach has a lot of confidence in him. 

Absolutely  , and there is nothing wrong with it!  As the father of 3 pitchers (2 were also position players in HS) you learn not to hang on every pitch or play.  If you step back, you'll see all the little things that your son will do to help his team.  As a varsity sophomore starter, he's got a lot of baseball ahead of him.  Enjoy it while you can!

I can only echo what the others have posted.  Don't worry so much.  He's a sophomore and has plenty of baseball ahead of him.  If you think about it, 11 errors over 20 games averages out to less than one error per game.  That's not bad for HS ball.

Enjoy the ride.  It will be over before you know it.

My son had the opportunity to follow a shortstop that made 22 errors in 22 games. It made my son look like a stud. That kid went on to D1 ball, as a center fielder. Relax and enjoy it. Your son is on the field. It beats the bench or JV.

Realize that the SS of any team is almost always the leader in errors due to the nature of the position.  On the flip side, it doesn't mean he shouldn't keep working his butt off.  Good players will always strive to get better.

Lot of good advice/comments here from people who have been there... I particularly love FloridaFan's "I would relax and then he will be more likely to relax".

You won't enjoy this ride very much unless you can realize you have no idea how many errors he has made. And you have no idea what his batting avg is. The fact your son is in the line up tells you all you need to know. Sit back and enjoy these times. Don't worry about things you have no control over. Its going to go by all to quickly. Sit back, relax and simply enjoy watching your son do what he loves to do.

Wow - miniman. Our exact situation.

Everyday 2016 SS is having the same issues.

Normally so solid, that during tryouts nobody went to compete with him.

Yet has made quite a few errors and some at critical times

However,12 games in, he has played every single inning.

Was scratchin my head as well. Decided just to keep encouraging him and remind him it will pass.

floridafan is right stay low to the ball like he's going to shovel dirt the whole way.

Also, not sure about your boy, but I noticed everyday son letting the ball come to him a bit more.

Told him to charge the ball more and get agressive as if every runner may beat out the play.

Good luck! He'll turn it around.

miniman,

I agree with everything said here.

FWIW you mentioned something that could possibly be a problem depending on exact technique. You mentioned he bodied up on the ball.

Often kids are taught to get their body in front of everything possible.  This sometimes leads to poor technique on certain ground balls.  It can cause the infielder to field the ball on the wrong side of his body.  Remember that you want to field ground balls on the "glove" side (below the left ear) unless you are back handing.  This gives your glove hand the most flexibility and actually creates "softer" hands.  On the back hand it is usually best to keep your body away from the ball.  This again gives the most range of motion for the glove hand. Often we see infielders trying so hard to get their body in front of the back hand play they either stiffen up (off balance) and don't make the play or they end up in a position that is nearly impossible to throw from.  Hope I explained well enough.

None of the above has to do with ability.  It is all about technique!  Not sure if this is a problem for your son or not.  Just thought I would mention it because of what you described.

Best of luck. 

Thought I should add when charging the ball, with that comes trying to get it on the short hop.