43Drills

Purpose:
Often players want to catch the ball with one hand when receiving a throw at second. It takes time to transfer the ball to the throwing hand which slows down the double play. This drill will help the players get used to using both hands.

Equipment:
Baseballs, second base area

Setup:
Have a couple of second baseman and shortstops without gloves playing fairly close to second base.

Execution:
Coach will roll ground balls from close to second base to the infielders as they work on fielding and turning double plays.

Players will work on fielding ground balls with both hands and then making a good accurate underhand toss to the other player covering the bag.

Player accepting the throw will work on catching the ball with both hands and then complete the double play with a throw to first.

Purpose:
Helps infielders work on different fielding techniques for ground balls hit to their right.

Equipment:
1 cone or glove for the players and coach to use as a marker; baseball

Setup:
Set cone up between short and third or between second and short. Coach stands on infield grass. Have a player set up between the cone and first base to catch the throws.

Execution:

backhand drill graphic

* Player gets in ready position.
* Coach rolls a ground ball either close to the cone or farther to the right of the player.
o If the ground ball is rolled close to the cone the player should hustle to get around the ball, plant his right foot and field the ball as he begins moving toward the target. Try to roll it at a speed that allows them to move around the cone. This helps to emphasize the change in direction.
o If the ground ball is rolled farther away the player should hustle over to get into position to backhand the ball.
* After fielding the ball, the fielder should make a good throw.

Notes: As your players get comfortable with both techniques, remove the cone and move farther away. This will allow you to throw the ball in different positions, with various hops, and at different speeds. This will help them get comfortable with the footwork required to field most balls that are hit to their right.

With the ball that they can get in front of, make sure you get them to round the ball enough to be able to stop their momemtum for going to the right. This will allow them to field the ball smoothly and make a quick throw. Fielding the ball in front of them while still moving to the right is a difficult play to make and puts them in a poor position to throw the ball.

Purpose:
This is a fun competition game for working on fielding grounders and getting in the proper position to field the ball.

Equipment:
8 cones or throw down bases or chalk to define playing area; baseball

Setup:
Split group into 2 teams. Maximum of 3 or 4 on each team. Can be played with as few as 2 players (1 on 1 game).

Execution:

ground ball competition graphic

* 1 Player is playing at a time for each team.
* Both players must start behind back cone or line.
* Player with the ball starts the game by throwing the ball toward the player on the other team. Rules for throwing are:
1. Ball can bounce any number of times before getting to the other team.
2. If thrown in the air, it must be caught or hit the ground before going over the back line. (see #1 in illustration above)
3. Ball must be thrown between the cones. (see #2)
* First player in the line from the other team must move forward and field the ball anywhere in the fielding area. He doesn’t have to let it bounce as long as he stays in the fielding area. (see #3)
* Once he has fielded the ball, he becomes the thrower and throws the ball back to the player on the other team. He then goes to the end of the line.

Scoring - Points are given for mistakes and can be given to either the throwing or fielding team. The goal is not to get points. 1 point is added to the team total for each of the following:

* Ball is not fielded cleanly (defined as not hitting the ground after hitting the glove or other body part)
* Ball is fielded outside of the fielding area.
* Throwing team throws the ball outside the fielding area.

First team to 10 points loses.

Notes: You can add additional rules based on what you want them to work on. If you want them to work on fielding the ball in front of them, have a rule that the ball must travel over the back line in play or it is considered a throwing error. This prevents players from trying to cut the corners with the throw. Now, if you would like them to work on fielding balls to the side as well as in front, allow throws to be legal as long as they hit once in the fielding area.

Purpose:
This drill helps a player work on hitting inside and outside pitches while keeping his stride the same.

Equipment:
Bat and helmet; 2 Batting Tees; Baseballs

Setup:
This drill can be used as a batting practice station or as part of a team defensive drill.

Execution:
Set one tee up in front of the plate on the inside to simulate an inside pitch. Place the other tee in the middle of the plate on the outside to simulate an outside pitch. The tee for the inside pitch should be set lower than the outside tee.

Place two balls on the tees.

Have the player take his stride and call out inside or outside as he completes his stride.

The player will then have to swing and hit the appropriate ball. By calling the location out after the stride, you have eliminated the hitter from cheating during the stride.

Purpose:
To help players develop plate discipline and execute a strategy when going up to bat. This is a good drill to use after they have completed the Plate Discipline Tee Drill.

Equipment:
Bat, Batting Helmet, Baseballs or Whiffle balls.

Setup:
This can be run as a station during batting practice using whiffle balls or as your main batting station. The player must understand his approach and hitting zones prior to using this drill.

Execution:
It’s not so much a drill as a different type of batting practice that emphasizes having an approach when at the plate. Here’s how I run the batting practice. I will not discuss the other stations, just the hitter I’m pitching to.

* I pitch with a screen that I position close enough that I can have excellent control.
* Each player will get up to 10 pitches.
* Tell each hitter how many strikes they have before stepping up to the plate. The hitter will then adjust their approach to the strike count.
* With 0 strikes:
o have the player stick out the bat over the plate showing you their favorite pitch. This will give you an idea of the general zone that they like the ball in.
o If the player swings at a pitch in his ‘hitting zone’, decrease his cuts by 1.
o If the player swings at a pitch that is outside his ‘hitting zone’, he loses that pitch plus an additional penalty pitch.
o If he takes a pitch outside his ‘hitting zone’, keep the same number of swings left in his turn prior to the pitch.
o If he swings at a pitch outside the strike zone, he loses half of his remaining swings as a penalty.
* With strike 1:
o If the player swings at a strike, decrease his cuts by 1.
o If the player swings at a pitch outside the strike zone, he loses that pitch plus an additional penalty pitch.
* With strike 2:
o I emphasize 2 strike hitting and being a tough out. If he swings and misses that’s okay unless the pitch is way out of the strike zone. If that’s the case there is an additional pitch penalty.
o If he lets a borderline pitch go by there is an additional penalty pitch.
o If he lets an obvious strike go by, his batting practice turn is over.

The goal is to always have the hitter get all his cuts. If they master the drill with 10 pitches, move up to 15.

Explain to your players that your call on a pitch is a judgment call, just like it is when an umpire makes a call, so they are not to argue the call.

Not only will this drill help your players with an approach at the plate based on count, it will also help them be more aware of the strike zone.

Purpose:
Helps hitters work on hitting the ball to all fields and recognizing pitch location.

Equipment:
Batting practice equipment; L-screen or other type of screen; two cones; colored tape

Setup:
This drill can be used during practice or as an individual or team competition. Place 2 cones on the edge of the outfield grass, 1 behind the shortstop and 1 behind the second baseman. This divides the field into 3 areas. See diagram below. Place 2 strips of tape from the front of the plate to the back to divide home plate into 3 equal sections. Place a pitching screen close enough to home plate that you can control the location of the pitch.

Execution:
As each pitch approaches the plate, the hitter must call out the location as he starts his swing (in, out, or middle) and hit the ball to the appropriate part of the field.

Example: Right-handed hitter: Inside pitch; hitter should call out “in” and pull the ball to the left side of the infield. Outside pitch; hitter should call “out” and hit the ball to the opposite field. Pitch down the middle; hitter calls out middle and hits the ball back up the middle.

As you pitch, you’re in a great position to see if the hitter is aware of the strike zone and able to hit the ball to all fields based on where the ball is pitched. The tape on the plate will help you to analyze whether the correct location was called out by the hitter.

Contest: I love making contests and games out of drills. This can be made into a contest in many different ways. One way is just keeping track of points during batting practice. Let’s say each kid gets 10 swings. Properly calling out location and hitting it in the right direction results in a point. Best total after batting practice is the “King of BP” or whatever you want to call it.

Another fun game to play right after batting practice: Get a team in the field and the rest of the kids up to bat. Each player gets up to bat with a 2 strike count. They have to call the pitch and hit it to the correct area. If they’re successful they go to the end of the batting line and wait for their next turn. If they’re not successful, they grab a glove and go out in the field. Next player in the field comes up to hit. I don’t have a pitcher or catcher with this game and we rotate from: left > center > right > first > second > short > third > hit - Unless you’re short of kids have them run the bases. Keep track of who has the longest streak of staying up to bat.

Hint: If a couple of kids really do well, have them start out in the field to give the other kids more chances to make it through at least a couple of times.

You can also run a scrimmage using this drill. I’ve used this for a variety of different games. Be creative and the kids will love it.

Key Points:
# Throw to the base ahead of runner.
# Cut off men sprint into position.
# 3rd baseman lines up cut off man (SS)
# Cut off man puts arms up in the air to be easily identified by the outfielder.

Responsibilities:
# Pitcher backs up 3rd base
# Catcher covers home plate
# 1st baseman watches runner touch bag then trails the runner to 2nd base.
# 2nd baseman trails SS by 15-20 feet.
# SS lines up with 3rd base and takes cut.
# 3rd baseman covers 3rd.
# LF goes after ball
# CF goes after ball
# RF backs up throws to 2nd base

Responsibilities:
# Pitcher backs up 3rd base
# Catcher covers home plate
# 1st baseman watches runner touch bag then trails the runner to 2nd base.
# 2nd baseman trails SS by 15-20 feet.
# SS lines up with 3rd base and takes cut.
# 3rd baseman covers 3rd.
# LF goes after ball
# CF goes after ball
# RF backs up throws to 2nd base

Responsibilities:
# Pitcher backs up 3rd base
# Catcher covers home plate
# 1st baseman watches runner touch bag then trails the runner to 2nd base.
# 2nd baseman trails SS by 15-20 feet.
# SS lines up with 3rd base and takes cut.
# 3rd baseman covers 3rd.
# LF goes after ball
# CF goes after ball
# RF backs up throws to 2nd base

Responsibilities:
# Pitcher backs up 3rd base
# Catcher covers home plate
# 1st baseman watches runner touch bag then trails the runner to 2nd base.
# 2nd baseman trails SS by 15-20 feet.
# SS lines up with 3rd base and takes cut.
# 3rd baseman covers 3rd.
# LF goes after ball
# CF goes after ball
# RF backs up throws to 2nd base

# 3rd baseman YELLS “CUT” and says what base to throw the ball.

Base Bunt Defense

No One On
# 3rd baseman charges in
# SS covers 2nd
# 2nd baseman covers 1st
# 1st baseman charges in
# Pitcher charges in
# Catcher comes in front of the plate

# 2B moves to 1st Base and gives the fielder an inside target.
# SS moves to 2nd Base

# Right Fielder backs up the throw to first base.
# Center Fielder backs up any throws to second base.
# Left Fielder backs up any throws to second base.

# 3rd Baseman retreats back to the base after the throw is made.

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.

Practice throwing in movement.

8 or more players, 2 balls

Players 3 and 7 move to the middle and get the ball from the right off players 1 and 5.

Players 4 and 8 throw the ball to players 5 and 1 who get the ball from the right.

After receiving the ball players 1 and 5 throw to 6 and 2.

After the passing the players follow the throw to their new position.

Players 2 and 6 throw the ball to 4 and 8 who get the ball from the right.

After receiving the ball players 4 and 8 pass to 3 and 7

After the passing the players follow the throw to there new position.

Variations:
You can let the ball come form the left instead of the right.
Throw the ball low instead of chest height.

Play submitted by : Jes-Soft
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