"Home Run Derby Plus" Drill

This drill comes from Scott Moore our November 2004 Drill of the Month Winner.

Equipment:

1. JUGS Pitching Machine
2. Protective Screen for Machine and Ball Feeder
3. Machine Balls
4. Gloves
5. Bats
6. Catcher's Gear

One of the drills we use for hitting and fielding is an old game with a twist. We call it the "Home Run Derby Plus."

We split our 12-player team into two teams of six players each. Each team is allowed three infielders and three outfielders. We use a JUGS Pitching Machine as our pitcher, and a coach feeds the machine. Each team is assigned a captain, and he decides the lineup and positions. We use the old hand-over-hand method on the bat to decide who gets to be home and who gets to be visitor.

THE GAME IS PLAYED AS FOLLOWS:

• 6 Inning Game
• 3 Outs Per Inning
• Each hitter gets five pitches out of the machine. Regardless of whether a player makes an out, he still gets five pitches, unless he makes the last out of an inning. If he makes the last out or three outs in one at bat, then the sides change and when his team comes to bat again, the next hitter in the lineup will bat. A player accumulates points for his team using the following points scale:
  • Ball reaches outfield grass - 25 points.
  • Ball hits fence on a bounce or roll 50 points.
  • Ball hits fence on a fly 75 points.
  • Home Run 100 points.
  • Foul Ball Zero points.
  • Swing and Miss Zero points.
  • Fair Ball that doesn't make it to the outfield Minus 25 points.
  • Fair or Foul Ball that is caught in the Air Zero points and 1 out.
  • Fly Ball that is dropped Zero Points and 1 out.
  • Double the earned points of what it would have been if it had fallen untouched. Coach must deem if an error would have been charged (i.e. points would not be doubled if an attempt at a diving catch was made) but, if ball is dropped, normal points would be awarded.
  • Infielder Error - 25 points. Infielder error is when a ball is playable by an infielder, but play is not made and ball does not reach outfield grass. Coach must make call.

Each team bats until all players have hit in the inning or three outs are made, whichever comes first. Points are accumulated and the winner is determined by which team scores the most points in six innings.

We use this drill as a way to make hitting and fielding practice a little more fun. The players elevate their mindset to a very competitive level for practice and sharpen their skills at the same time. There are many balls put in play and defense becomes as important as offense (preventing points vs. scoring points.)

We feel this drill teaches the players the following:

• Every at bat and every pitch is important.
• You are dangerous if you put the ball in play.
• Defense can win or lose a game.
• Don't depend on your pitcher to strike out every hitter, ready yourself as a fielder to support the pitcher.
• Play to win and have FUN!

This is a good change of pace for the kids. Sometimes practices can become too routine and players need something to spice it up. This does not replace regular batting practice or fielding practice, but it is a good alternative sometimes.