Around the Infield Drill

Contributed By: Coach Rigoberto Ruiz

Equipment: Bats, Balls, and Gloves

This drill is to allow players to play every base on the infield and adjust to possible game sceneries. It will not teach everything but it will allow the younger players (I use it for 8 and under team) to learn basic fielding and throwing.

Instructions :

1. Line up the team on the foul side next to third base.
2. Put three balls in front of pitcher’s mound.
3. Position one player at first base, and another as catcher (no equipment necessary, but can be used if altering drill.)
4. First person in line will play third base.
5. Coach will hit to the player at third base, his role is to properly field the ball, bring ball to chest, step and throw to the first baseman.
6. First baseman will set himself up ready for the throw, catch the ball and throw it back to the catcher who will feed the ball back to the coach.
7. After player fields at third base, throws, and first baseman catches the ball, player will then sprint to the pitcher’s mound position himself (depending on throwing hand) so that his throwing hand is towards third base line, bare hand the ball and throw to the first baseman.
8. From the pitcher’s mound player will also sprint to the shortstop position, he will round second base towards shortstop without stopping.
9. As player is rounding second base the coach will hit the ball, so that the player can field on the run rather than waiting for the ball to get to him.
10. Players will do as they did before, at shortstop…player will field, step and throw to first, and the first baseman will catch the ball and throw it home.
11. After fielding at shortstop, the player will sprint back to the pitcher’s mound and as before position himself, bare hand the ball and throw. First baseman and catcher will do as before.
12. Player will then sprint to the second baseman’s position rounding second from the opposite side, as before coach will hit the ball as player is rounding second base, player will field and throw home.
13. First baseman and catcher will do as before.
14. From second base, player will sprint back to the pitcher’s mound where player will bare hand the last ball and throw to first.
15. After catcher receives the ball, the player who was going around the infield will play first, first baseman will go to the catcher’s spot, and the catcher will go to the back of the line.
16. The drill ends when the first player to play first base has completed the bases (everyone has played all positions.)

It is important that you keep the player fielding the balls moving, you don’t want him to wait for the balls. You want him to be rounding second base looking out for the hit ball as if the ball was hit in the hole. It is important the players learn that they must go after balls and if they hesitate, it could mean the ball will go through the infield. They must not lose focus so they must field while running but plant their feet well so they can make an accurate throw and ultimately the out, as opposed to an out of balance one that will not be catchable. Another very important thing for safety is that since the drill is best if done fluidly, that the first baseman and catcher are always aware, also the fielder. If the throw is bad to first base, he must not go after it and slow the drill as well as be out of position when the fielder is throwing the next ball, the past balls must be let go and possibly have the coach or another player go after those balls. I have done this drill the past couple of seasons and have seen the improvement on the players. You will see that your players will be somewhat uncoordinated during the first practice of this drill (especially if they are young) not rounding the base the right way and throws will probably be inaccurate, but if done correctly and over time you will see the improvements. The drill will move quickly and with each new practice, the players will become more confident and efficient with their new skills.

Good Luck!