Baseball Infield Drills and Information - Baseball Article Summaries

Help fixing Pop ups? - Single L (length=1339)
Could be many things. In addition to the suggestions from Noah and Old Ag, here are a few other possibilities: Is he popping up high pitches that are out of the zone? Solution: swing at strikes (nothi ...

Dancing at First Base - the old method - Coach Bob (length=1985)
Over four decades ago, when I was taught the footwork around first base by a member of the old Kansas City Blues (before the Athletics came to town in 1953 [?]), we did it a little differently. I reco ...

Glove fingering - Jeff (length=1029)
I've noticed a peculiar habit with some young players. My son, an 11 year old, holds his catchers mitt such that he avoids the index finger altogether (jamming an extra finger into the big pinkie slot ...

How to play first base - Coach Scott (B) (length=1208)
I think the other comments cover 1B accurately. The only time 1B might stradle the base is in a pick off throw for fly out where the runner is caught off base. A baseman (Second, Third, or SS) straddl ...

Proper Rundown Assignments - Chip (length=3336)
These other posts well describe the assignments and approach we use on rundowns. Thought I'd add the way I've taught the procedure to younger kids. At first, the coaches take the running position. (I ...

Rundown Assignments vs. "Hotbox" - Coach Bob (length=2172)
It has been my experience that kids love a game of "hot box" more than almost any other drill (except hitting off the Juggs). It is particular important for the young ones (9U) to learn the proper way ...

Defensive Reads and Catcher's Backing Up Throws for Grounders - Bear (length=1267)
Dear Tony For grounders, they are 'similar' to single but with exceptions as noted. After 'reading' the situation, the catcher breaks for the area behind first base to 'back up' throws under the follo ...

NATURAL POSITIONS & those Hot Stops, Today - TJ (length=1344)
Hey Seadog Good post ! Say Coker, As far as 'natural' corner or 'natural' SS, it is unbelievable to me these HOT STOPS, today. There is nothing 'short' about this talent. They are all that good. I c ...

Defensive Reads and Catcher's Backing Up Throws - Bear (length=1493)
Dear Tony, Lot's of combinations to consider. But let's try to get thru this for you. First off, the leader on the field must direct traffic, so with this in mind, do some homework and learn what yo ...

What I Saw At The Regionals - Bear (length=1337)
Hi Steve Martin Yes, the game of "Pepper" is taught to all of our 10/11/12 yr olds. I believe it is as 'fundamental' as tee-work. I also believe that this lil' game is not taught enough at the teena ...

Backing up throws in the infield - Bob (length=387)
I think you are right in not expecting the catcher to sprint down to first or third to backup the play. We try to teach the outfielders to backup plays to first and third. The second baseman and short ...

Backing up throws in the infield - Chet (length=513)
Can someone tell me the proper instruction for 8-10 year old boys on backing up first and third base on infield plays. Should the catcher be taught to run down the line at first base and backup the fi ...

Backing up throws in the infield - Coach Pond (length=695)
For now I would suggest that you have your Rightfielder back up throws to first and your Leftfielder back up throws to third. I only recommend this because of the age you indicated (8-10). I coach a s ...

Defensive Positioning - Jeff T (length=793)
I think it depends on the size field. On the 90' bases, you'd like to have 3B cut on throw home from LF, 1B cut on throws from CF and RF (P back-up on both). On the L.L. field, I think you're definite ...

Defensive Positioning - Jeff T (length=757)
To clarify my post, I was referring to the double cut on the full-size field with at least a 300' fence. I agree that on the 60' diamond that there is no need. For the question on a ball hit to RF, it ...

Left handed Infielders - Chris (length=633)
Problem: Three lefthanded kids on the team. All good infielders. 7 - 8 year olds. The smallest (my son) shows early signs of being the best 2nd baseman on the team. He is only seven and has overcome t ...

Left handed Infielders - K.L. Wilson (length=842)
Chris, Don't make a big deal out of the Left Handed infielder riddle. You are dealing with 7 & 8 year olds. I finally saw the light a couple of years ago. They're little kids and no matter how hard we ...

Proper Rundown Assignments - Bear (length=889)
The 'key' to better rundown excution is the philosophy & approach to what needs to be done. Meaning, a plan. Avoiding the details of whom & where and when, and at what base, I will provide the simpler ...

Proper Rundown Assignments - Jerry Hart (length=992)
I think Bear, Paul, Scott and Gerald have covered things pretty well. I teach it pretty much like Paul described. Three points deserve emphasis: (1) Get the ball in front of the runner ASAP to chase h ...

Proper Rundown Assignments - Paul Faubert (length=1222)
Good question!! You'll probably get many different responses as people probably all have their own techniques. Between 1B and 2B, I have SS, 2B cover the 2B side while 1B, P cover the 1B side. I also ...

Proper Rundown Assignments - Scott R. (length=939)
One more point on rundowns that helps nail the runner quick. Have the defensive player, who is awaiting the throw, do what is refered to as "close the gap". As the runner is approaching, the defensive ...

Proper Rundown Assignments - Scott R. (length=815)
Paul, Good explanation on the rundown (aka; "pickle") but I'd like to add a few pointers that I have my players remember. (1) If running down between 1B and 2B make sure the throw to second is thrown ...

Teach Inf/OF assignments for 90'. adjust from there. - Bear (length=2519)
Good Question Tal, I read your thread. Looks like your on the right track to developing your own style. I have traveled to a many HS game but over the past decade, I have observed similarities and wh ...

Trick Play Alert! Do your homework! - Randy Dykstra (length=953)
Trick plays??? The first two are "delayed steals" that almost every travel team (in our area) older than 10 yo knows about and use frequently. In fact we have signs for them.... Another is taken care ...

cut-off drills - Randy Dykstra (length=1136)
Replying to.... "I am coaching a team this year and one of the many things I would like to teach is infield positioning on cut-offs. Does anyone have any experience with this? " (Al ask me to start a ...

Covering Second Base - Ron Peltier (length=1039)
Hey Gang, I've enjoyed this discussion regarding shifts. It's got me thinking about infield postions and responsibilities. I would like to hear some opinions on the interplay between the Little Leag ...

Drills - Old Ag (length=2312)
Drills to stop the stepping out: Have him just pick up the front foot & set it back down (e.g., essentially no stride). Put an object behind his left foot, positioned such that if he steps out his foo ...

Fielding grounders - Scorekeeper (length=1585)
Here's question that's always bothered me. I've read the books, seen the tapes and heard all kinds of different things from coaches over the years, but what's the best way to field a ground ball? I wa ...

First and third - Daque (length=1203)
I use a variation of what you have said. I have F6 cover 2nd and F4 get between F1 and 2nd base. F4 follows the throw to 2nd with his glove and if R3 breaks for home, intercepts the ball and throws ho ...

Obstruction - Daque (length=3789)
OBSTRUCTION is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of any runner. If a fielder is about to receive a thrown ball ...

Second Basemen Poll - UWE (length=1158)
I will not tell you of my opinion. Jackie Robinson: An outstanding hustler as well as fielder, lacked the power and average of others. Rogers Hornsby: .356 batting average, second all time, as ...

Shying away from hot grounders - Old Ag (length=1819)
For the kids I have worked with over the years, it isn't their shins they are worried about. It is their face. None of the kids I worked with on this problem would have been helped by shin guards. Fir ...

WHEN DID SS BECOME THE #1, ONLY FUN POSITION? - GeeYogi (length=3702)
I agree. Shortstop is being elevated to a glamour position, and it's too bad... But for those who can see EVERY position for what it's worth (if they were worthless, why would we field those positions ...

fielding stance - Kenneth Bean (length=1057)
Hi Kim A couple of thoughts: 1. I teach the kids to try to charge every ball. That way they are to try to intercept it either just as it hits the ground, or just after it comes over the top of a big h ...

gator vs. thumb to thumb - Kathy (length=1056)
"They field on the run, throw on the run, and just might have a tendancy to catch grounders with an open, upturned palm. However, I have not seen a kid able to do it that well." That's how I taught my ...

gator vs. thumb to thumb - Kenneth Bean (length=2557)
Hi Ag In my mind, the "gator" is one of the last stubborn hangovers from the old "cup your throwing hand over every caught ball" school. (Here is my chain of logic) A. Every glove made today is a trap ...

gator vs. thumb to thumb - Kenneth Bean (length=1942)
Hi Back, Ag Pretty close. Check out my response to Splitter. Your point about the ball transfer is well taken, and I use it, see below, but with ground balls, the vertical glove does away with the nee ...

shortstop versus second base at the lower age groups - Old Ag (length=3557)
The sad truth is that at the more competitive levels there is nowhere to hide a weak player. The ball will find the weak player and the misplay will often cost a close game. The coach must find out wh ...