These same qualities are sought after at high levels, but this is the minimum that might separate your infielders from outfielders.

Note: Until players are at least 12-14  we encourage coaches to play everyone at every position

For more advanced fielder scouting, click here. And for detailed insights from a former MLB infielder click here.

1Great Feet

• First 2 steps are decisive
• Lateral quickness - by leading with the legs
• Lightness and soft quiet actions (skim the ground)
• Explosiveness in any direction (sides, back, up, forward)

2Physicality

• Power, strength and grace (infielders, especially shortstops are more powerful than they used to be)
• Refined sense of athleticism - balance in motion
• Low center of gravity - and the urge to stay in it (carries his weight lower than outfielder)
• Flexibility
• Physical toughness and resilience

3Great Arm

• Arm strength and resilient action
• Ability to throw accurately from any angle (side arm, from deep in the hole, backhand toss, etc. This is party due to inate propioceptive abilities)
• Glove to hand transfer - quick, shortest path

4Mental Acuity

• Intelligent, quick learner
• Baseball sense - awareness of the game situation
• Ready on every pitch, wants the ball to come to him, flips the glove out before the ball is hit
• Ability to read the angles is instinctive, no time to be a technician or calculate
• Vision and imagination on the fly - can spot and adjust to running game as it happens
• Presence and communications skills/timing - working in concert with other players, coverage, ball relays, etc.
• Exellent judge of field conditions, ball trajectory, etc.

5Emotional Approach

• High self esteem - can handle errors and bounce back
• Love of defense - attacks the ball, wants the short hop
• Coach's mentality - situational understanding
• Positive attitude
• Decisiveness - willing to commit to each play and to lead others
• HIgh level of self motivation (early to practice, ready for each pitch, and everything in between)