Baseball U Maryland Defensive Philosophy Defense LONG TOSS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE Individual skill work is a priority GET BETTER everyday Team Defensive Concepts: We will be fundamentally sound defensively- both physically and mentally. 1. Win the Free Base War : BB,HBP, errors, extra bases, mental mistakes 2. Prevent the Big Inning : 3 or more runs 3. Keep Double Play a pitch away (keep runners at 1B) 4. Communicate, Communicate, Communicate Goal: .970 fielding percentage (relates to 1 per game) - majority of errors should be IF play (3b,SS, 2b)- 1B, C, P, and OF cannot attribute to errors. Catching a. Catcher needs to be the most athletic guy on the field…VERY TOUGH b. Catcher has to be a LEADER…MUST BE VOCAL…confidence is key a. MUST be constantly communicating the defense b. MUST know each pitcher and situation c. Before the 1st pitch is thrown, get to know the umpire-“Good Morning, my name is …..” d. Calling Pitches: a. When giving signs, they must be hidden b. Be consistent when calling pitches (i.e. 1-FB, 2 CB, etc.)(Be consistent with a runner on base (i.e. 2nd sign, etc.) c. Know what the Pitchers BEST pitch is THAT DAY d. Avoid tendencies (i.e. every 0-2 count, throw CB) e. Defensive tenets: a. Receiving (80%) (1) be on time, (2) manipulate the ball, (3) keep strikes strikes i. 1 knee vs. 2 knee stances…comfort, try it all in bullpens for best results b. Blocking (15%) (1) know the pitcher, (2) anticipate block, (3) control the baseball i. Glove moves, body follows…Catch ball with belly button and heel of the glove c. Throwing (5%) (1) receive deep, (2) quick hands, (3) quick feet i. Through the ball vs. right replace left…back pick options…bunt plays d. Everything else backing up bases Outfielders a. Must: Handle the baseball, cut off the gaps, take quality angles, catch everything, think a base ahead, but keep hitter off of 2B b. Master ball security…sellout and go get the ball c. KNOW the situation, is it “Do or Die” or should we keep the runner of 2B? d. Positioning a. No pitches off…there is somewhere to be on every play…MOVE! b. Prep Steps c. With left handed batter, LF moves in and over d. With right handed batter, RF moves in and over e. If Coach calls out OF and puts BOTH ARMS UP, that OF moves back f. If Coach calls out OF and puts BOTH ARMS LOWER in front of his body, that OF moves IN g. If Coach calls out OF and points LEFT, the OF moves RIGHT h. If Coach calls out OF and points RIGHT, the OF moves left e. Handling the baseball i. Coming in on the ball, stay on the balls of the feet and in control of your body (spend a significant amount of time on ground balls and cuts…they happen more) ii. Going back on a ball, which way do you turn? f. Making throws https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0iN59vldDo i. Throwing to cuts Miss high (double cut)… ii. Throwing to bases Miss low iii. Importance of hitting cutoffs…how many OF assists are actually made at 3B/Home? g. Backing up EVERYTHING i. Fellow outfielders, infielders, throws, run downs, extra bases Infielders a. Must: Handle the baseball, anticipate ball off bat, take quality angles, attack the slow hit ball, come through the baseball towards target, keep it in the IF, make quality accurate throws b. Each Pitch must be relayed to the OF i. SS/2B-Closed “FIST”-Fastball ii. SS/2B-Open “Hand”-Offspeed c. Keep it simple…be athletic…make the routine (6 Fs Perry Hill) d. Keep it simple (late eye contact) Feet Chillin…Ready position…small prep step-jump…glove off body (pre-pitch) Field the ball-MUST TAKE GOOD ANGLES Wide base…gets hands out in front…see ball in glove (late eye-contact) e. Be athletic (play underneath the ball) Funnel All throw from center mass…helps secure… 1. Thumbs down/separate 2. Front side load. 3. Arm stays short. Elbow is same height as shoulder 4. Hands automatically on top of the ball…Backhands Footwork 1. Get around the ball, square it up, and work through it 2. Distance and direction toward target as fast as possible 3. Right to left – left to target f. Make the routine (chase the ball) Fire towards target o Throw with feet…use momentum…let it go o Follow your throw o Do not recoil…creates carry and accuracy g. Backhands i. Powerback 1. Designed for balls in the hole (3B, SS, 2B) 2. Allows fielder to have their feet under them for stronger throws ii. Quick Backhand 1. Designed for faster runners/slow rollers 2. Allows fielder to get rid of the ball faster (2B, 3B) h. Defensive Positioning i. 10 – in on grass ii. 20 - in line with bag iii. 30 – normal HS depth iv. 40 – maximum depth i. Defensive plays-Catcher will call the play i. 1st and 3rd 1. Play 1-Throw to 2B a. 1B MUST yell that runners is stealing b. SS/2B determine who is covering bag c. SS/2B determine who is backing up d. CF is backing up e. RF/LF are also creeping towards 2B 2. Play 2-Cut play-with runner on 1st and 3rd a. 1B MUST yell that runner is stealing b. SS/2B determine who is cutting off the ball, MOST of the time- 2B c. SS/2B determine who is covering 2B d. 3B is MOST Important person here, communicating as to what the 3B runner is doing e. CF is backing up throw f. RF/LF are also creeping i. RF towards 2B ii. LF towards 3B 3. Back pick to 3rd if catcher feels it 4. Hold-NO THROW 5. LATE Expect a force balk…STEP OFF ii. Bunt coverages 1. BLACK…Get out at First 2. ORANGE…Wheel…Pitcher delivers when daylight between runner and SS a. Spin Pick b. Force runner back iii. Pickoffs – Pitchers MUST mix up timing 1. RHP-1B a. On the way up b. On the way down c. From the Set 2. LHP-1B a. On the way up b. On the way down c. From the Set d. Ideally you are NOT always looking at the same thing i. Suggestion-look at 45 degree mark of baseline every pitch e. Set up good move with average on f. All LHP SHOULD HAVE GOOD MOVE 3. 2B Picks a. Inside move b. Outside move c. All Pickoffs are called by MIF .