Playing Shortstop
Shortstop is No. 6: the most range and the biggest arm in the infield.
How it actually works. Play between second and third, closer to second, and deeper than the second baseman, because the throw is longer and a deeper spot buys range. The first step is a read step toward the ball, glove side or backhand. Footwork is a smooth shuffle and a strong plant for the long throw. He covers second on double plays and steals, decided with the second baseman before the pitch, and he calls the coverages and directs the cutoffs.
Why it is done, and when it is wrong. Shortstop is the captain of the infield. It needs the range, the arm and the hands, but what really separates a shortstop is that he is thinking a play ahead and telling everybody else. Before every pitch he should know the outs, the runners, the count, who has the bag and where the ball goes if it comes to him. When he talks, the whole infield plays faster.
What people get wrong about it. Playing too shallow and losing range, a slow reaction to the ball to his backhand, and throwing without lining up his shoulders to first, which is where most of the sailing throws come from.
At Little League and travel ball. Most youth teams put their best athlete at short, and that is usually right. Teach him the backhand early, and teach him to be the loudest player in the infield. A quiet shortstop is a waste of the position.
Batter's Eye: look up anything in baseball