3 FIELDER DRILLS BY POSITION 42 Chapter 3 3-1 PITCHER FIELDING DRILLS The pitcher is the fifth infielder covering the middle of the diamond. The highest percentage of batted balls go through the center of the diamond. Hitters are told when they fall behind in the count, shorten the bat and think "middle." If the hitters are thinking middle and are hitting that way, the pitcher must work hard at being that fifth infielder. It is scary to think that the pitcher is only 60 feet from the hitter, consequently, his reaction time to the batted ball has to be better than that of the third baseman. The third baseman's position is called the "hot corner," the pitcher's defensive position probably should be called "suicide alley." In pitching mechanics drills we placed a great deal of emphasis on the pitcher's glove hand and the finish position in the delivery of the ball. The glove hand must be in front and ready for the ball. If pitchers are careless and let their glove hands fly behind them, they are going to get seriously hurt somewhere along the way. Pitching absolutes are: • have good control • keep the runners on 1st base by having a great pick-off move • be an outstanding fielder • concentrate • concentrate some more These "absolutes" can be taught by emphasizing the following drills. P-1. DRILL: TWO MAN PEPPER Purpose: To continually play the ball off the bat. I believe that if it is played properly pepper is the best drill in baseball. Players and Equipment Needed: Two pitchers, gloves, a bat and several baseballs. Description: The hitter and fielder stand 30 feet apart and play pepper. Several balls are needed so that the fielder is not continually shagging balls. Players have to work hard to become good at playing pepper. It's not as easy to play as it looks at first, but it's well worth the effort. Two man pepper is best because you get more fielding work. Players change positions every 15 hits. 0 0000090906000 00000000000000 0 43 p.2. DRILL: SMASH PEPPER purpose: To improve the reaction time of the pitcher in fielding hard it balls. Excellent drill, but players have to use their heads and not h K ill each other. yers and Equipment Needed: Two players, fielder wearing catcher's shin pl a guards and mask, gloves, several balls and a bat. Description: It is just like two man pepper, only the hitter is hitting rd smashes (within reason, of course) at the pitcher. The pitcher's ha leg s and face are protected by the catcher's gear. The players are 30 feet apart, take 15 hits and exchange. It is better to have an outfield fence behind the fielder, because more balls are apt to get by the fielder. This will cut down on the distance to chase the balls. ............................................................... 30 FEET P-3. DRILL: SMASH FUNGOE DRILL Purpose: To improve the reaction time of the fielding pitcher. Players and Equipment Needed: Two man drill, gloves, and several "softie" L baseballs. Softie balls are squeezable and regulation size. There are several brands on the market. Description: Two man drill, one hitter, and one fielder, 50 feet apart. 9 Fungoe hitter drives the softie balls, within fielding range, at the s pitcher. Pitcher gets 15 tries and then exchanges. Excellent indoor drill, with basketball bleachers behind the fielder. The balls will not e hurt the gym floor or bleachers. Ten to fifteen minutes can be spent on this drill. You can have three or four stations in a gym area. This is also a good drill for third and first basemen. 0 - 0 0 0 * 0 0 a 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 44 Chapter 3 P-4. DRILL: PEPPER - DOUBLE PLAY DRILL Purpose: To have the pitcher work on starting the 1-6-3 double play. To develop quick feet in the turn to second base and to deliver a good throw, chest high to the middle infielders. Players and Equipment Needed: Three pitchers, gloves, bat and balls. Description: There are three players needed: one is a hitter, a second is the pitcher throwing to the hitter from a distance of 30 feet, and the third is 40 feet behind the pitcher acting as a middle infielder. The pitcher fields the ground ball, wheels and throws to second base. The middle infielder returns ball to pitcher and they repeat the procedure. Take 10 opportunities and rotate players. Give each pitcher 20 opportunities to make the play and get the pitchers to "speed up the drill." P-5. DRILL: SITUATION PEPPER Purpose: To create bunt situations, double play situations, pitcher covering first base on double plays and throws from first baseman and second baseman. Players and Equipment Needed: Second baseman, first baseman, two pitchers, gloves, balls, bat. Description: The pitchers alternate between being the hitter and the pitcher. The pitcher throws to the hitter from a distance of 30 feet. The hitter hits a variation of balls back to the pitcher or to the right side creating game situations, including bunts between the first baseman and the pitcher. He can work on 3-6-1 double plays by placing the second baseman at second base. Bases should be shortened to about 40 feet to keep the drills moving rapidly. I would change the pitcher and hitter after 10 opportunities. It's important to have the pitcher field bunts in this drill and react to the call of the batter: "first" or "second." 0 i i s 45 p.6. DRILL: INFIELD PEPPER purpose: To create all fielding situations for the pitcher with a full infield. players and Equipment Needed: complete infield, pitcher, hitters, gloves, balls, bat. Description: The coach calls out bunt situations, squeeze play S ituations, double play situations, etc. From 40 feet the pitcher delivers a soft throw to the batter who hits or bunts at the coach's direction. Work on infield situations with the pitchers alternating defensively on the mound and as hitters. If enough pitchers are available the hitter can run to first base after he hits the ball in the infield. Shorten the bases to 75 feet to get more repetitions and lessen the fatigue factor. If you wish you can use a catcher and you can use outfielders as hitters. The key is to keep the hitting in the infield and create every possible situation. I would suggest a 40 minute time limit on the drill. 46 Chapter 3 P-7. DRILL: HAND PEPPER Purpose: To improve the pitcher's hands in fielding ground balls and tough hops. Players and Equipment Needed: Two players, gloves, ball. Description: Players are 15 feet apart and they try to throw the ball through the legs of their partner. He throws one hops, bad flops, anything he can to make it difficult on his partner. Three minute time limit is fine for hand pepper. Players can add to the drill by keeping track of errors made and declaring a champion. N P-8. DRILL: WALL PEPPER Purpose: To develop the "good hands" a pitcher needs to be a good fielder. (All city kids have played wall pepper.) Players and Equipment Needed: One player, rubber balls, and a wall where the ball will bounce back. Description: Pitcher is 30 feet from a wall and throws a rubber ball against the wall in such a manner that he is fielding all sorts of ground balls. The key to the drill is that in his mind he is creating various baseball situations. He can wheel back for the imaginary double play, he can field bunts and throw to imaginary bases. Great fielding pitchers have played wall ball along the way, especially city kids who have had to play on the streets. It's a great drill for every player whether he's from the city, a suburb or an outpost. • 89 47 p.9. DRILL: V PICK-UPS purpose: To improve lateral quickness, to field balls and work on the foo twork of wheeling and throwing to a base. It's also a great car diovascular conditioner. players and Equipment Needed: Two pitchers, gloves and ball. Description: Two players stand 15 feet apart and alternate between fielder and thrower. Mark off a reasonable width for the fielder to cover, say 10 feet to his right and left. The fielder gets ready and the thrower ro lls balls to his right or left, firmly, without letting the fielder kn ow which direction he is going to roll the ball. As he rolls the ball he calls out a base first, second, third, or home and the pitcher- fielder, when scooping up ball, wheels and feigns a throw in that direction. The thrower may drop a bunt straight ahead and have the fielder charge and throw where directed. The fielder returns to the middle after every chance. Take 15 chances and exchange. Keep the drill moving and after three sessions of fielding, players will be dragging. • ` ` * • 00 • 00 0 • ~ • 00 P-10. DRILL: TWO MAN PICK-OFF DRILLS Purpose: To work on pick-off moves to first, second, and third bases. Pitchers strive hard to perfect their accuracy, quickness and footwork to each base. Players and Equipment Needed: Two pitchers and a ball. Description: Pitchers work at a distance of 50 feet. Make 10 throws to each base. They should pride themselves on developing quick, accurate and deceptive throws. This drill can be done quickly so it can be worked on every day.