Hi All,

My 13 year old son plays 3B when he isn't pitching. He has a very strong arm and has relied on it instead of developing consistent fielding mechanics.

He does a couple of things wrong, but not all the time. If I hit him a bucket of balls, he will make mistakes, but not the same mistake. He will:

1. Sit back on his heels at times.
2. Pull up with his head and shoulders at times.
3. Not move well across the field with his throw, just step and throw.

I would greatly appreciate any drill suggestions to use with him. I would like to do 10 balls where he focuses on one thing, then 10 on another and eventually put it all together.

I am hoping that this approach will help develop and reinforce better habits. Not to mention that me telling him everything he is doing wrong doesn't go over too well....

Thanks.

Try numbering the balls and have him call out the number as he recieves the ball before he throws it. This should keep him lower. And, speaking of lower, try to encourage him to get lower to the ground and keep his hands out front.

It sounds like he isn't moving his feet very well. try this:

1. Have him charge everything - no matter how hard it is hit. This will give him confidence in his hands and feet.

2. Make him count the hops aloud. This will have him concentrate on something other than standing flat footed and waiting on the ball.

3. Have him play EVERYTHING off his left ear prior to breaking down into his fielding position. This will give him better angles to not only read the hops, but get his momentum going to 1B (which will allow him to get through the ball).

4. Finally, have him work his feet to get a good hop. Similar to #3, but this relies on forward and backward movement.

redbird, all great advice, do you work with infielders all the time?

Yes, 2bagger, I work with IFs and hitters.

Baseballmom, you have a PM.