43Drills

# Runners on 1st and 3rd

# Infield playing double play depth

# As the pitch is thrown the hitter squares to bunt
# The runner at third breaks hard toward home
# The runner at first does a straight steal

# First baseman yells “GOING” and breaks home to help cover the bunt
# Second baseman rotates to cover first while short sees the runner coming and begins to cover second
# Third baseman yells “GOING” and covers the bag
# The catcher is prepared to cover the plate on a Squeeze play.

# The hitter pulls back on the bunt and lets the pitch go through
# The runner at third retreats back to third
# The runner at first is 2/3 way to second before the catcher realizes the Suicide Squeeze is not in play.

# Second base has been stolen without a throw from the catcher to second
# The runner at third must be careful to watch the catcher

# If he throws to second immediately, he must be ready to steal home
# If he throws to third, he must be under control enough to get back to the back safely.

# It is really important for the hitter to square as soon as the pitcher begins his motion.
# It is also really important for the hitter to try to block the vision of the catcher by squaring over the plate and pulling back at the last possible moment.

# This play works best with a left-handed hitter up because they naturally block the runner at first.

Team Bunting Drill

GOAL
Teach hitters how to put a bunt on the 3rd base side in a competitive environment.

DURATION
# 8 minutes (per complete rotation)

RESOURCES
# 12 or more players
# 16-20 baseballs
# 4 or more bats
# 1 complete infield
# 4 field markers
#

# SETUP
# Put 4 pitchers on the mound, one facing each base.
# Each pitcher needs 4 balls.
# Break hitters into groups four groups of 2, and assign them to a base.
# Let the hitting teams give themselves a MLB name.
# Designate a triangular zone and circular hotspot that each of the bases.

EXECUTION
# Each team will receive 4 fastballs from the stretch position.
# 2 pitches for each hitter.
# Coach will give the command, “Set….Deliver” so the drill is in sequence.
# After the 4 pitches have been delivered, pitchers rotate to the next base.
# Hitters are responsible for bunting EVERY pitch, even a ball.
# After the pitchers complete 1 rotation, the drill is completed.
# Hitters are responsible for bringing the balls back to the pitcher.

SCORING
# 0 point for balls outside the zone.
# 1 point for every bunt landing in the “ZONE”.
# 3 points for every bunt landing in the “HOT SPOT”.

The team with the highest score wins.

This drill is designed to help infielders work on good accurate throws and quick hands and releases.

The C throws to the 2b,
2b throws to 3b,
3b throws to 1b,
1b throws to SS,
SS throws to C.

The sequence is repeated.

Teaching points
# Throws should be targeted to the throwing arm shoulder.
# Do not catch the ball deep in the glove but make your glove hand stiff so the ball does not become ‘trapped’ in the glove.

Pick-Off After BB

This play is designed to pick-off the batter-runner if he makes the mistake of running past or through first base after a walk, which often happens in youth leagues.

# After ball four, the catcher steps into foul territory and waits until the batter-runner is at least two-thirds of the way to first base.
# The catcher throws behind the batter-runner as he approaches first base. This is the key to making this play work: the batter-runner must be unaware that the first baseman will receive the ball.
# If the batter-runner makes the mistake of turning towards second, or running through or past the base he can be tagged out.
# Of course, if the first-base coach is paying attention this play will not be successful.

This drill is useful for younger players since it keeps everyone involved. It combines pitching for accuracy (we want the batter to actually bunt the ball), bunting, and double plays on both sides of the infield. The coach near the mound rolls a ball towards the fielders on the side to which the ball is bunted. The home-plate coach acts as a backstop for the pitcher and tracks down those occasional wild ones.

Goals

# Pitcher - throw strikes
# Hitter - bunting to each target area
# Fielders - knowing coverage’s and pick-ups for double plays

There are 53 panels in this sequence.

http://www.jes-baseball.com/fig/buntsinfield_2.gif

Around the horn is a warm up drill that enforces hustle and accurate throwing.

The players line up as shown and the rest of the players line up behind the shortstop.

On the diagram, the H designates a hitter or coach.

Line 1 throws to line 2 & follows and goes to end of that line.

Line 2 throws grounders to line 3 and follows and goes behind that line.

Line 3 tosses to line 4 and follows and goes behind.

Line 4 throws grounders to line 1 and goes behind.

This is the format

Line #1
1 throws to 2 who pivots and throws to 3

Then 3 throws to 2 who pivots and throws to 1

REPEAT
Other lines have the same format

Equipment: (1) 12 baseballs (2) 3 batting tees (3) 3 bats

Drill One: Throwing Progressions (7 minute station)
# Partner’s throw back and forth to warm up arms.
# Start out at 15 feet apart. After 10 throws apiece move to 30 feet apart. After 10 throws apiece move to 60 feet apart. After 10 throws apiece move to 90 feet apart. TOTAL THROWS = 40 (ARMS SHOULD BE LOOSE THEN)
# Move to batting tees after throwing station.

Drill Two: Batting Tee (7 Minute station)
# Partner’s take turns hitting baseball off of batting tee.
# Emphasize keeping head still when swinging. If the head is still the chin will go shoulder to shoulder during swing.
# Coach should also check that the players are holding the bat at the base of the fingers: NOT IN THE PALMS OF HANDS. Holding the bat in the palms of the hands decreases bat speed. Bat speed = power.
# Each partner should take a round of 10 hits.
# Move to throwing progression after batting tee.

Players sit on bench for explanation of next drills.

Players :

# P pitcher
# C catcher
# 1B first base
# 2B second base
# 3B third base
# SS short stop
# LF left field
# CF center field
# RF right field
# X Runner

Pop Fly Ball Between Home and First Base In Foul Territory.
Runners On First And Third Base.

Pitcher - Covering Home Plate
Catcher - Attempt To Field Fly Ball
First Baseman - Attempt To Field Fly Ball
Second Baseman - Runs To Cut-Off Position
Shortstop - Covers Second Base
Third Baseman - Covers Third Base
Left Field - Back Up Possible Throw Made At Third
Center Field - Back Up Possible Throw To Second
Right Field - Back Up First Base

Play Was Layout By Steven C. Foraker
YouthSports4Coaches.com