Need Advice

I'm not a coach.  Just a Dad that has watched a lot of baseball.  I think what your coach may be trying to say is don't wait for the ball to come to you when it's hit in your direction.  Come in on the ball.  Sometimes that can be the difference between an out at first or the runner being safe.  I've seen many a time where an infielder waited on the ball and the batter/runner is safe.  Especially on a weak ground ball.  You may not need to "charge" on a hard hit ground ball, but on a weak one it can make the difference.

I think you got it FoxDad.

Most likely the coach is asking you to don't wait so much on the normal ground balls.  On most ground balls a good infielder is quickly reading the ball (path, spin, etc) and moving his feet IMMEDIATELY.  The goal is to get behind the ball, move forward, and position your body so that you are fielding the ball squarely in front of you.  As you get better at this you can start working on fielding it while gaining ground/momentum to where you are throwing. 

Last-if you are confused, I would recommend asking the coach for clarification.  As I coach I welcome question after question!  I'm sure he would be happy to elaborate.  Baseball language from coach to coach can differ and no doubt be confusing for young players.  Soak it in, ask if you don't understand something, and listen.

Baseball 24-7

1. Jump rope, do 20-30 yard splints.

2. Be aggressive on ground balls. Try to catch the ball before the 3rd hop.

3. Field the ball with the "left" ear. {Pat Kelley former NY Yankees]

4. Can you "Read the bat"?

5. Is your pitcher's fast ball a "sinker" or "riser".

6. Back hand only on the hard hit balls to your right.

Bob

"founder" of the Area Code games and Goodwill Series

Thanks for the great advice

In addition to the great advice "Consultant" offered, I'd suggest footwork drills with ladders.  There are multiple footwork drills that you can do to improve agility.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnc-USTRncg

One of the fun drills that I do with my youth teams is a "survivor" or elimination drill.  This teaches them to go after the ball, and try to get it by the 3rd hop as mentioned above.  I line up the team in groups of  two at shortstop position.  I hit a ground ball at both of them, whoever comes up with the ball stays alive.  We continue until only one player is left. 

Ask you coach what specific things you can do to help in these Parts of your game.  I'd rather take his suggestions than this board.  (nothing personal board). Just in case something is lost in translation....  Coaches love kids that ask what they can do to improve their game.  

Certainly no expert but what I have noticed it that those infielders who are moving forward along with the pitcher have a greater tendency to charge the ball if they're already moving. Part of that "object in motion tends to stay in motion" stuff I guess.

MCM;

that is a very good observation. Maybe the single best method to receive the ball "chest" high and throw the ball without strain on the arm. When a player throws off his heals, this places a strain on the arm. It is a "non-athletic" position.

Play deeper. Keep moving forward.

Bob

I had that same conversation with my son last year.  He's always played SS...and has always had a very strong arm.  When he was younger, he could play on the grass....sit down, wait for the ball to get to him...and still throw guys out.  Now, he's playing against bigger, older, stronger & faster kids.  He's  still got a great arm...but he can't throw out the real speedsters if he waits on the ball.  Even a half-step in when the ball is hit can be the difference between getting a kid out and giving up a hit.

Buckeye;

He is now understanding the difference of a 5.2 runner [home to 1b] and now the runner is 4.5 [average HS speed]. Next level will be 4.3.

He can adjust by thinking he is fielding a "fire ball". He will quickly release the throw, as soon as the ball hits his glove. I hope the pocket is not too deep and the web is full piece.

Bob

International Baseball 1983-2013

He wants you to learn to play offense on defense. To attack the baseball. To "work to and through the baseball." When your in your pre stance and creeping on the pitch the only time you should ever field a ball that your not playing through is when it is totally ripped right at you and you don't have any time to play through it. You either reach out and glove it, back hand it, or fore hand it.

When you do have time to play through a baseball which is going to be the vast majority of opportunities your footwork and approach is one that allows you to play through the baseball and work towards your target. This not only puts you in the best fielding position to make a play, its much quicker and sets up your throw. It allows you to play athletic baseball, offense on defense, attacking the baseball.

The whole goal is to create momentum towards your target before you field the baseball. This is impossible when a ball is smoked right at you. But it doesn't matter because you have time to create that "Mo" because its smoked right at you. I call that "Neutral Mo." There are two other types of "Mo" when fielding a GB. Positive and Negative. An example of Positive Mo would be a GB to the glove side of the SS and the play is at 2B. The approach to the baseball is taking you towards the throw. Thats good. Then an example of negative "MO" would be a GB to your throwing hand at 2B and your throw is at 1B. The proper athletic approach can negate that negative "MO" and in some cases still allow you to create positive "MO" towards the throw.

In other words to not squat on GB's. Do not play stationary. Attack the baseball creating positive momentum towards your target on the approach. As you move up in the game and runners are faster and really get out of the box, as the game speeds up you will not be able to compete. You will be in poor throwing positions because of your poor approach. There are many drills to help with this. I could type for days on this topic.