Shortstop, drills and tips

Question
I play Shortstop and I'm 16, How do I get quick hands and quick feet? I would also like to know the technique of fielding at Shortstop eg. How to field the ground ball.( I don't really have an Idea, so could you please go to detail. eg. someone once told me to keep the ball in line with your left ear when fielding a ground ball, I don't really understand this) and how do I increase my arm strength so my throw from Shortstop to First is hard and flat. So really what I'm trying to say is How to play shortstop and throw faster. What are some drills I can do at home and what are your tips and thoughts.

Thanks   

Mitch

Answer
Itch,
         Quick hands and feet come from repetition.  Hands and feet work together so one cannot go faster than the other.  Usually the feet are slower than the hands and arms.  Most infielders are slow because of their footwork and never their because of slow hands.  Their are numerous drills to become quicker and improve foot speed and coordination.  Two great drills are the Dot Drill and the Speed Ladder.  These two training tools can be found at Bigger, Faster, Stronger (www.biggerfasterstronger.com).  Both of them will improve foot speed and coordination as long as you are dedicated and keep the training intense.  Remember, the faster the feet move the faster the hands will follow.   
         The process of fielding a ground ball can be different from coach to coach but remember to keep it simple.  Some coaches say to line the ball up with your left side because you have to throw most balls to your left side.  They use this technique because they say that when you field the ball you can go through it and use you momentum into the throw.  I don't like this technique because most of the time you don't have time to line the ball up.  
         When I teach infielders I start with the 3 positions.  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.  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.
         To increase arm strength you can long toss, lift weights to improve overall strength, and use resistance bands.  Long toss is usually the best but be careful not to over do it and injure yourself.  I like to long toss on a football field because you can track your progression with the yard markers.  When lifting weights or using resistance bands make sure you stretch to maintain flexibility.  Use dumbbells when you can over straight bars to maintain a good range of motion.  Remember, a strong arm is a plus but quicker feet will also get the job done.  A strong arm and slow feet is the same as an average arm with quick feet.  Most routine plays at short stop don't require a rocket of a throw to first base.  As long as you have quick feet and a quick release with accuracy you can save the arm.  As you get older and the competition becomes better you will notice that everyone has a strong arm, but what separates people is the quick feet, quick release, and accuracy.
         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.  

I hope this helps and Good luck.
Thank You,
John Priest
Nokona Batman
Nokona Baseball Factory