Keys To Playing Shortstop

Antonelli Baseball is the #1 online resource for baseball instruction. We breakdown the mechanical aspects of hitting, fielding, throwing, and base running to make them easy to understand and actionable. We also cover the mental side of baseball and offer college baseball recruiting advice. We delve into the details that you will not find anywhere else. After receiving tons of requests, we've finally made our video on the keys to playing the shortstop position. Learn what it takes to be a great defensive shortstop.
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[@reaperrider1]

You are welcome! I found myself trying to beat out a sophomore shortstop as a freshman this year and went searching for some drills to do. I knew I was going to hit, but I really wanted to play SS. I wanted it to not matter whether he was older or not, but for it to be clear I was the better player. I found your videos and my play has skyrocketed since then.

[@AntonelliBaseball]

First question. Your arm typically will become better the older you get and the more you do it. Its really just experience, throwing thousands of baseballs, and getting comfortable with it. My arm action really started to change once I became a professional player and started to field hundreds of ground balls a day. As far as learning the footwork. It can be tough and there isn't one way to learn it. Again it takes fielding thousands of ground balls. The more you do it the better you will get.

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Thanks! Matt Antonelli...and I will try to put something together once I catch up on requests.

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Yeah I got drafted in 2006 by the Padres in the 1st. Playing with the Yankees now in AAA.

[@darinmcmahon6589]

Antonelli Baseball congrats

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Absolutely. I agree with you 100%. I'm glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for the comments!

[@RichRoblox-wq7hd]

Thanx for the video. My cousin is 10 yrs old n trying to learn how to play short stop n I think this video will help him get a great start toward understanding short stop. Thanx for ur time andnpatience to create this video, may god bless u n urs. Peace, love, n tranquility.

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Thanks! Glad the video helped. Thanks for watching!

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Hey you look good man. I like the fact that your able to get your work done all by yourself too that is awesome. You have good actions. Just make sure you stay under control and don't try to do things too too fast. Also sometimes you funnel the ball more towards your right under arm which makes it a little tougher to transfer the ball. You don't do it all the time but did a few times. When you funnel right above your belly button you transfer more smoothly. Keep up the good work good luck!

[@reaperrider1]

I completely agree with the hardest thing is taking the right angles. Until I started actually trying to get better in the infield, I would sit back and just move laterally. The more reps and the more comfortable you feel at shortstop, the easier it is to take the right angle to the ball. I think the more you trust yourself, the better off you'll be not just for the angles, but overall as a baseball player. Great video once again!

[@AntonelliBaseball]

I can try. Really backed up on requests, but I'll do my best.

[@AntonelliBaseball]

I'll do my best!

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Yes I will do my best. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Go to our KZbin channel it should be the main video. If you don't see it you may have to search through our videos. You can also try to search for High School Infield Clinic.

[@AntonelliBaseball]

I agree. He is very good at that.

[@AntonelliBaseball]

I'm trying to put together something to help infielders out with their footwork because I get a lot of questions like this. I will try to put it together as fast as I can. Hopefully it will help you guys out. Good luck!

[@AntonelliBaseball]

I will throw one up this week...Sure I will try to put that up also. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@FirePlayzGamingandIntros]

Im going to start baseball and im going to be shortstop this is my first year and im nervouse im 12 and some of these kids have played all their lives so i hope these tips help thank you.

[@machoman8779]

Hey man I cannot be more the same legit I was just getting dressed this morning and going shopping for all my baseball things and I was so freaking nervous but the thing is just get to know your coach a little bit more don't worry as much and get to know your players and then you'll be good you know it's it is pretty nervous and it is pretty nerve-racking but do you want to do after first practice if feels like second nature so just chill out and you'll be fine

[@darinmcmahon6589]

Fire same

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Awesome! Good luck!

[@jackwallace2055]

Thank you for doing this video, through many years of playing and coaching I have never seen or been tought about these angles from short. Sure we learn some on an subconscious level, but now I can teach this to the youngsters right from the start.

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Great! Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for watching!

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Thanks! Yeah I hear ya. Good luck man!

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Sure I'll take a quick look

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Awesome! Keep it up!

[@J0HN119]

Good point about taking the right angle on the ball. I play a lot of 2nd base cause im a little guy like pedroia and i can kinda get away with not taking the best angles. I sometimes play short though so thanks for the vid :)

[@AntonelliBaseball]

No problem!

[@banditmonkey7225]

im going to start baseball and im playing shortstop really helps thanks

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Great good luck!!!

[@AntonelliBaseball]

I have a lot of stuff to help you become better at SS. Check out our high school infield clinic. We do some of the drills on there. Also, look up some quickness drills on KZbin. There are a lot of them out there.

[@AntonelliBaseball]

You're welcome

[@fortniteprorock1341]

thanks I'm playing shortstop

[@AntonelliBaseball]

No problem and good luck!

[@22tbrads22]

FINALLY! thanks for the tips

[@AntonelliBaseball]

No problem

[@laceymaher7844]

Hi, I’m a new softball player (my first season!!) and I barely play sports, my coach put me in short stop, and I barely know the game, is there any suggestions or tips along with the video? I still don’t understand fully and I really try to.

[@AntonelliBaseball]

We have a bunch of short stop videos to check out. I think they will really help you! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@alexs.1389]

bro same im scared tryouts are in like a week for me hh also ik this is really late haha

[@swiftguy002]

What are some drills to become quicker and a better SS.

[@AntonelliBaseball]

I would like to but I've been sent about 500 videos so I'm not able to do so right now. I am actually coming out with a new system soon so maybe in the next few weeks or so I will be able to. Sorry about that.

[@stefan32792]

nice video! would you mind taking a look at me taking grounders and tell me what you think?

[@brandonko7839]

could you also do second base?

[@swiftguy002]

How do I find the high school infield clinic?

[@MyREDTAIL]

Ozzie ( THE WIZARD ) Smith, the Best SS in Baseball Ever.?

[@AntonelliBaseball]

He was pretty darn good...not sure if he is the best ever, but he has to be somewhere up there

[@drizzle452]

As a Cubs fan who watched him play in the 80s-he’s the best defensive player I’ve ever seen. My #1 pick on an all-defensive team. Just my two cents…Prime Andrelton Simmons is the second best defensive SS in my lifetime. Better than Vizquel imo

[@Jeterfan906]

Though his range isn't what it used to be I think Jeter is best at positioning himself before the pitch creating good angles for himself.

[@andyross8516]

Intro song?

[@yuyuyusuf1698]

What do you mean by back hand

[@str8kronic]

What's your name are u still in baseball ?

[@AntonelliBaseball]

+Anthony Gronock Matt Antonelli. I'm coaching now. Stopped playing 2 years ago.

[@mserth22]

+Antonelli Baseball You mentioned having a great arm at the SS position. I coach a kid that has all the tools--5'11 190 pounds, runs a 6.58 60, switch hits, power from both sides, sits at 86 off the mound but throws 83-84 across the diamond and he's a two sport star athlete. What do scouts look for in terms of arm strength, and do you know how hard the prototypical SS throws across the diamond (or should I not even worry about how hard he throws across the diamond in MPH)? I imagine that his current velocity from SS would fall in the average to below average range at the pro/big league level (but when compared to other high schoolers or college players he has a cannon). Thats just my intuition though. Thanks for your help/imput!

[@spongehead7]

mserth22 if he's throwing 83-85 across the diamond that is stronger than some major leaguers most scouts look for foot work fast hands and proper form not necessarily arm strength if he threw 70-74 across the diamond and plays short they would more then likely move him to 2.

[@RichRoblox-wq7hd]

Thanx for the video. My cousin is 10 yrs old n trying to learn how to play short stop n I think this video will help him get a great start toward understanding short stop. Thanx for ur time andnpatience to create this video, may god bless u n urs. Peace, love, n tranquility.