Advice: Lefty Position Players

Krakatoa - As the mother of a lefty, I can't imagine any HS coach putting him at second. Just because he won't (or isn't predicted to) get over 5'9" doesn't mean that he can't gain strength and improve his throws.

I'm anxious to see what others say, but I'd think to leave him at first if he can play the position adequately now and help him to continue to build arm strength and ability to make the long throws. Sometimes, a year can make a big difference - even for a player with his challenges.

As the father of a lefty, I can tell you that 2nd base is really hard for a lefty because of the pivot at second and the extra step on the throw to first. We worked on the footwork for about 2 hours and finally gave up. Short stop is actually easier for a lefty to play than 2nd base so he ended up there for a couple of games.

What about catcher? I know that it is not done traditionally - but my son was actually quite good as a catcher - and the pickoff throw to first is just as much of an advantage as the throw to third is a disadvantage.

BTW - many players have played in the majors for a few games as LH catchers...

http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?threadid=5373

lafmom is right
5'9" is small but not that small
he can definatly improve arm strength
long toss surgical tubing etc
check out Jeager academy in southern california
they are exellent in throwing go to one camp and you will see the strongest arms you have ever seen. several pros go there and follow their program again its for throwing although many pitchers go there including barry zito
at 5'9" with a good arm if he can hit he can play jc ball maybe evn small college if he really wants it, go for it son

I actually played with a left-handed second baseman in Babe Ruth baseball in the early sixties. Turning the double play to the shortstop was a cakewalk for him. On a ground ball where the play was at first he would simply rotate on his left leg and move his right leg towards first and throw. On the double play to him from third or SS, my memory is that he flipped the ball out of his glove sort of backwards and underhanded. I can't tell you how he did it, only what it looked like.

He would catch the ball as he crossed the base and would sort of scoop the ball out of his glove palm pointing towards first. Then he would snap his elbow and forearm towards first, releasing the ball. It would travel to first almost like a popup. It seemed to take forever to get over to first but he had it down pat. It was always an accurrate throw.

Long Toss, Long Toss, Long Toss.
He's 12 yrs old. a lot of time to strengthen arm before he enters HS.

DH
1st base
no other infield position
lift weights ...long toss

Seriously ... work on LF ... I know it's not your first choice, but there is long toss, sprint work and time.

Work with your SS on going out deep for the cutoff throws, work with the player about a quick glove-hand transfer and getting rid of the ball (to the SS) quickly.

If you want to, you can make this work and give him time to develop. I've seen plenty of average arm LF players in HS, and some move on too college ball because they were good hitters with good speed, but limited in their positions.

Check out the roster at UNC ... 5'9" isn't always that short.

This post immediately made me think of an outfielder at Illinois that my nephew has played with the last few years. His name is Trevor Huisinga, is 5'7" tall and has started 111 games in the outfield in his first three years at Illinois. Also a lefty. Was a two year all-stater in high school. A height issue can be overcome.

Maybe go to fightingillini.com and print off his profile to show the kid. Things happen when Trevor is in the game.

Kevin

The long toss, tubing and Jaegar stuff will certainly help. I had a lefty in the L.L. years back that threw like 45 as a 12 y.o. and was just a small kid.
At 14 he began to grow a bit but was still small. The arm was showing mprovement.
As a senior he was the #1 pitcher and a top notch outfielder, then played at Eckerd college for 2 years as an outfielder and short reliever. He topped out at 83 mph, which isn't bad for a lefty. This kid had the biggest heart around.
There's no telling how the individual will turn out, but the hard work he will put in, will make some kind of difference.

5'9" is not too short to play center field, but it takes work. Your son needs to throw long toss, use the tubing and lift weights. He will gain strength if he will do this.

I have a son that is a junior in high school that is only 5'8" and 140lbs but he is constantly working out to improve his game. His outfield throws are now in the mid 80's and he can throw the ball from home plate over the outfield fence.

If your son has speed, then he could also make a good lead off hitter batting from the left side.

Good luck and tell your son that size is not everything! With hard work and a good attitude, he'll be fine.

Hmmm, that's a tough one.
I have NOT had experience with pre-teens
with better living thru growth harmones.

LH 12 y/o with the following (tbd) skills:
- Arm Strength - Below Avg
- Foot Speed - ?
- Hitting - ?
- Power - ?
- Fielding - ?

Many changes occur with young pre-teens between
age 12 thru age 16. Growth spurts, body type changes, hair growth, harmones popping all of the place, cars and girls. In the most general of cases, lefties mature 2-3 yrs after righties.

Unable to think about a right role model, yet maybe the closest could be:

a) Greg Foster....crafty LHP from Navy ~10 years ago. May still be flying copters.

b) Denny Neagle Jr (& prior to his recent issues).... another 'crafty' HS LHP, not drafted, 'found' at a pro tryout camp,

Can you vision this 12 y/o a soft-throwing LHP in two years? Maybe teach a charlie and change this summer when he turns 13! (8th grade?), and then maybe, just maybe with improved core strength a three foot short fastball becomes 2 feet short, then 1 feet short, and then 79 mph with movement.

If 'taught' how to improve stride rate, and stride length, (with knowledge of 'how' to read picks, pitchers), can you vision some OF duty?

Other ideas?
- Designated Bunter?
- Rah Rah Guy on Team?
- Scorekeeper?
- 1b Coach?

Golf?

regards,
Bear

quote:

Your son needs to throw long toss

Just to clarify, this is not my son - it's a kid I've coached the last two years.