By: Ron Bing, Puritas League, Cleveland, Ohio
This is a fast paced drill which affords the boys plenty of reps and position rotation in a very short Third base side coach hits ground balls to the shortstop and the ss makes either a good underhand First base side coach hits ground balls to third, who then throws to first. First baseman then either It is important that the infielders don't charge slow ground balls, as they might move into the line of Now have the coaches switch things around. By this I mean the third base side coach hits to the Third base side coach hits ground balls to the second baseman, and he in turn makes a throw to The first base side coach hits ground balls to short, and he throws across to first. First baseman then Finally, the third base side coach hits ground balls to the first basemen and second basemen, and One advantage to having the coaches each hit to all players, they see every player field and throw. If
Date: July 03, 1998 at 11:40
period of time.
The drill requires two coaches hitting ground balls to the infielders at the same time. One coach is
positioned on the third base side of home and up the line a little, and the other coach is on the first
base side of home plate.
I'll describe what the coach who is on the third base side of home does first, then I'll discuss the
other coach's responsibility. Remember, both coaches are hitting balls to their players at the same
time. You can mix this drill up so that at one practice you do it as described below, and another
practice the players throw to a different base.
toss to the second baseman, or a quick pivot and toss to him. The player receiving the toss DOES
NOT throw to first, but he does move his feet and body so that he could throw if he was suppose
to. Switch shortstops and second basemen after each ground ball. After a dozen or so ground balls
per player, have the shortstops and second basemen switch positions and repeat the drill. After the
second baseman receives the toss from ss, he makes a easy one bounce toss back to the coach who
hit the ball (or have another player there to take a good crisp throw).
Now reverse the grounders and have the second baseman take them, and make good tosses to the
shortstop. The shortstop DOES NOT throw to first, but like before, he moves his feet and body so
that he is in position to throw if he was suppose to.
makes a easy one hop throw back to his coach, or if another player is there, a good crisp throw to
him. Rotate players after each ground ball, while letting the first baseman take a throw from each
third basemen before rotating with his partner. Depend
ing on players skills, you can switch third
basemen and first basemen.
throw from one of other fielders. Obviously all players must pay close attention to what they are
doing in order that everyone is safe. In addition, the coaches have to be sure not to hit balls into the
hole which might cause two players to collide.
second basemen, and the first base side coach hits to the shortstops.
third. The third baseman then throws back to his coach or teammate.
throws back to his coach or teammate. Switch the shortstops and second basemen after a certain
number of balls have been hit.
they make hard throws back to the teammate next to that coach. The first base side coach hits
ground balls to third and shortstop, and they in turn make good crisp throws back to that coach's
player.
they only hit to half of the players, they would not be able to observe the other half. As I stated
above, you can mix this practice up any number of ways. The advantage is it keeps everyone
moving and doing different things. They don't get a chance to become bored or complacent.