infielders moving on the pitch

Question
Hi John  I am looking for advise as well as drills for fielding.  I want to work on the fundamentals of fielding balls with your hand under the ball.  I also am looking for a way to explain moving on the pitch and circling a ground ball while moving toward 1st base. I hope this is an explanation that you can address. I need to be able the explain this to  some 14u players.

Answer
Tom,
    When I teach infielders I start with the 3 positions.  These positions will keep the infielders moving and ready on the pitch.  The first position in a relaxing position that can be with the hands on the knees.  This position is used between pitches before the pitcher becomes set.  In the second position the fielder will bend the knees, get his weight on the balls of his feet, put the glove and bare hand out in front of his body, and slowly shift his weight from side to side.  This position is for when the pitcher becomes set up to just before the release.  Upon the pitcher releasing the baseball, the fielder will take two short steps forward maintaining the weight on the balls of the feet, and bringing the glove out in front of the body and down.  When the baseball is hit the fielder should break down with their glove on the ground when the baseball is about 8 feet in front.  I would recommend to keep the baseball lined up with your midline to left side.  When the baseball comes into the glove make sure to field the baseball and not to catch the baseball.  This concept is one of the most important aspects to becoming a smooth infielder.  Catching the baseball requires you to close the glove and slop the baseball.  Fielding the baseball will slow the ball down but keep the hands moving.  As soon as the ball reaches the glove the bare hand goes on top and the glove and ball funnels to the midsection.  As the hands are bringing the baseball to the midsection the right foot will slide half way to the left.  Then throwing hand brings the ball back as the left foot strides.  I hope you can follow this, writing how to do this is a lot harder than showing you.
    A great drill is the reaction ball.  It is a ball with a number of bumps on it so it will bounce in unpredictable directions.  This will require good balance as well as quick hands and feet.  The speed ladder has too many drill to list.  If you do get one it will come with some basic and advanced drills.  Have someone time you and record the times so you can track the progress.  As far as ground ball drills , you can do short drills.  Have someone roll and throw short hops at you, forehand, and back hand.  The best drills for infielders is fungos.  You can never field enough fungos no matter how many grounders you field in a day.  The more grounders you field the smoother, more efficient, and more confident you will become.

Thank You,
John Priest
Nokona Batman
www.nokonawreckingcrew.com