[Editor's note: Parents, players, and coaches may all benefit from the insights in this article inspired by Ted Kubiak, see side note and bio.]


Scouting may be the toughest job in baseball. There's very little time to properly assess a player in any try-out environment, which means a lot is left to the coaching staff once players are assigned. (See also Scouting Fielders and  Infielder Attributes for other viewpoints.)


Here are some things to consider for the infield that are not what many would call conventional wisdom but seem to reflect Ted Kubiak's experience as player and manager (as interpreted by WebBall)...

Kids rush forward too much. The first instinct - too often - is to charge straight at the ball, without considering the angle it's moving, the spin, or the alignment needed for a good throw after the stop. Coaches: try to slow them down, get them to think laterally.

Unteach the cross-over. Many coaches [including WebBall - ed.note] have emphasized the cross-over step as a way to get the body moving and get a jump to the side. But this can close off the hips and reduce flexibility and may force the body into a higher posture. So try to unteach crossovers. Have them turn with open hips and the lead leg going first.

Tire them out, then work them hard. [Ed note: this is very contrary to the conventional wisdom that training should stop before muscle fatigue. But then again...]  Players need to learn to be efficient - minimize effort for maximum results. If they start to tire but are challenged to keep doing the task, they will force themselves to find a way to do it with the least possible effort - to conserve energy. Perspiration = inspiration.

Taking charge is hard to teach but easy to spot. The best infielders (see below) have confidence in their abilities, a desire to shine, and a willingness to take all the pressure on themselves. while mechanics and strategy can be taught, the instinct to be a leader is something each player will develop on their own - some sooner than others.