Soft Toss Home Run Derby

By: Scott Moore

Equipment: Bats, Balls, Gloves, and JUGS Toss Machine

This drill uses the toss machine in a Home Run Derby where we split our team in half and use the toss machine as the pitcher. Each Player on a team (5 to 6 players) gets five swings. The other team is in the field (3players in the outfield and 2 to 3 players in the infield) and can make plays such as fielding ground balls to keep them from going to the outfield and catching fly balls and cutting off balls before they hit the fence. Points are awarded on ground balls that reach the outfield, but pass between certain cones (set up in sports where normal ground ball base hits would get through), and hits to the outfield.

Points are awarded as follows:

1. Ball reaches outfield grass on ground = 10 points.
2. Ball reaches outfield grass in air = 20 points.
3. Ball reaches fence, but hits the ground first = 40 points.
4. Ball hits off fence on a fly = 50 points.
5. Ball goes over the fence (home run) = 70 points.

This scoring system will keep line drive hitting teams in the game. An inning is over when all players have had their at bats, and points are accumulated. Outs equal balls that do not reach the outfield - foul balls, swings and misses, or no swings count as zero points.

Each player gets five swings per at bat. This game moves quickly and we can get 6 to 9 innings in a practice easily. Players will end up swinging the bat 35 to 45 times in a game, which is a fun way to do soft toss. It is also a good way to improve hitting concentration and helps hitters focus on hitting line drives. Also, it teaches fielders the value of making plays because in this game, every play counts as points, and it teaches outfielders to cut balls off before they reach the fence.