One of the faults of young ballplayers and parents is to become a fixture in a position at an early age. For instance, some kids may only catch or play shortstop because that’s the position he likes the most or possibly the coach doesn’t trust any other player in those positions. Sometimes the parents only want the child to play the position he is best at. Well I believe this is wrong. Ballplayers need to be well rounded and be able to play just about every position on the field.

Let’s take a look at some great major league players who have switched positions at sometime in their professional career.

* Mark McGwire- Pitcher to 1B * Babe Ruth- Pitcher to Outfield * Alfonso Soriano- Infield to Outfield * Craig Bigio- Catcher to Infield to Outfield * Dale Murphy- Catcher to Outfield * Alex Rodriguez- Shortstop to 3rd Base

We coaches love those players that can be filled into any positions at a moments notice. Injuries occur or players transfer, often resulting in a void on the field that needs to be filled and the kid who can fill in may just be the one waiting for his big chance to impress the coaching staff at that position. I know a number of coaches who will keep the kid that is on the bubble for making the cut just because they have the ability to be an asset to the team as a utility player.

Too many times I see talented high school and college players that are being scouted heavily and don’t get drafted because they don’t have a necessary tool at their current position and can’t play anywhere else. An example would be a great hitting shortstop that doesn’t have much range in the infield and has a slightly above average arm. This player may have a better shot at getting picked up as an outfielder.

From the big leagues down to little league traveling teams, coaches want those versatile players to put the best possible defense on the field.

About the Author

Coach Rau has been an instructor at baseball camps and clinics for over 20 years, and has ten years of high school and college baseball coaching experience. He has worked with a number of current and past professional baseball players over the years helping them improve their skills and mental approach to the game. He primarily handles the Play Ball pitching lessons, but has also spent many hours studying hitters and their swings. Coach Rau is a

Have you faced these baseball concerns as a coaching dad?

Has your son become the player he is because he wants to be , or because you forced him into the sport? Dad, if this sport has become more about your feelings and not your son’s , then you need to step back and rethink what you could be doing to your son.

Do you put more pressure on your son , than the rest of the team? If so, you are turning your son against you. Eliminate embarrassing your son in front of his team players. Talk to the team as a team , don’t pick on your son or any other child in front of their team players.

Do you decide what position your son should play? Have you checked to see what abilities the other team players have before you stuck your son in it. No one is perfect. There are some positions that you will never find or be satisfied with the player.

Athletes under thirteen tend to have a hard time settling down to one specific position. You will always have a weak link in the team.

When a team player is out sick , do you drag your son up to fill that position? Is he satisfied with you doing this ? Just because this is your son, don’t mean you should treat him like a guinea pig. Maybe some of the other players want to fill that empty position. Yes , experience helps out. If you’re steadily picking your son to fill the empty position , none of the other players are getting more experience in the empty positions. Treat the players fairly.

Nothing is more exciting than coaching your son. Making decisions to fill empty positions with other players isn’t easy either. Did anyone tell you the game was going to be easy? Remember your son looks at you as his father and coach. You should look at your son as a team player and your great son.

By the age fourteen, your son will develop a natural position. What about the other players on the team? Without experience , they will never hold a natural position.

With experience , the team can develop trust among themselves and learn that they can depend on each other. This will allow the team to see the game in a different and definitely a better way. Experience may force your son out of his natural position before his baseball career has started to another challenging position in baseball. Never tend to say never , because it will come back on you.

J. Brown writes about FootballFanatics.com coupon code, BaseballSavings.com discount codes and Pro Sports Memorabilia promo code

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