receiving throw @ 2nd from ss

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Welcome aboard the HSBBW Charlie0103. I'm with you, my baseball knowledge is limited even after all these years.

Others will inevitably offer advice to you, but one thing I do know is the throw from SS to 2B should be such that the 2B can handle it cleanly. A hard throw from a short distance, as your son can testify, is difficult to handle and as such it is not the correct method.

Other advice for Charlie?



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When my son first visited a former pro player that gave instruction on fielding he did a drill with him, that I believe was primarily so the instructor could tell if my son had enough talent to bother with him.

The drill was done without a glove and the goal of the drill was to deflect the ball with the glove hand into the throwing hand. My son caught on pretty quickly and they had fun with that for quite some time.

This may help him develop the confidence he needs to recieve the throw.

Keep this double play idea in the back of your mind because you may not want to begin working on it yet but I think that if a kid is interested it is a good to begin teaching little extras as early as he wants. SS has to make the right kind of throw to 2nd - definitely not hard. Have the 2nd baseman use the back of his glove and his throwing hand to catch the ball so that he does not have to take the ball out of the pocket of his glove to make the throw to 1st. Back of the glove cushions the catch and speeds up the delivery to 1st base.

I am posting this since you state that all input would be helpful. My baseball knowledge is limited as well but some of the experts on here should be able to advise on footwork. Have fun!

Charlie,

Check out the video I attached. You can also go to YouTube and look up RipkenBaseball and find all kinds of videos. The Ripkens teach a method similar to Perry Hill. Left foot to bag and right foot to the ball keeping the ball in the center of your body. If you watch the video it keeps things simple and makes a lot of sense. My son worked with Perry Hill who is thought to be the best infield coach in the major leagues. Perry has a video you can purchase. Just type Perry Hill into the google search window to find a link to it. However you really don't need to purchase videos with the quality of videos on YouTube. Just make sure you are watching videos made by respected players like the Ripkens.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...uAxU&feature=related

quote:

Originally posted by Charlie0103:
...they are throwing it very hard from a short distance.

You can also teach your shortstops on how to make a proper throw. They don't always have to be missles.

If the grounder is close to 2b or moves the SS in that direction, he can use a nice crisp underhand toss instead of an overhand laser.

Might be a little advanced for that age but here's a great way to practice turns and throws...by yourself!

Video

A very well known D1 College coach who's clinic we attended recently taught is this way -- SS be sure, 2B be quick. Make sure you get the 1st out.

Strike 3, I have been looking for that video and could not find the link. Love the pitch back "wall ball" drill. Thanks for sharing!

There is an old saying : One is a must two a plus.

I wouldn't even bother working on this unless this is a travel team. Well, maybe I would show the proper foot position to make the out.

But I would (and do) make this age practice underhand toss EVERY day of practice at the end of their throwing routine.