Infield
Playing the Infield #1
Playing the Infield #2
Infielding Drills
Playing the Infield #1
The keys to becoming a good infielder are proper techniques and constant practice. All young ballplayers can become better fielders if they develop sound fundamentals and are willing to work hard toward self-improvement at every opportunity.
Resting Position (between pitches)
- relaxed comfortable stance with feet slightly more than shoulder width apart and hands placed on the knees
- upper body is leaning forward with knees relaxed and slightly bent
- weight evenly distributed on both feet Ready Position
- hands drop from the knees and are held in front with the palms facing up
- weight on the balls of the feet with toes pointing slightly out
- sway from side to side or walk in
Fielding Position
- field the ball near the middle of the body
- feet should be more than shoulder width apart with the glove foot forward
- knees bent and extend hands out toward the ball with a bend in the elbows (glove always in view)
- place glove under the ball
- keep eyes on the ball until it is in the glove
Mechanics of Throwing
- finger pads across the wide seams
- line up shoulders and hips with target in good balance position
- swing throwing arm straight back
- point the ball away from target (fingers on top of the ball)
- throwing action should complete a circle
- move toward target on completion of throw
Playing the Infield #2
Fielding Ground Balls to the Right
- from the ready position, the infielder leans to the right and pivots on the toes of their right foot
- the left leg crosses over in front and takes a full stride to the right
- continue with the regular fielding position tips Fielding Ground Balls to the Left
- from the ready position, the infielder leans to the left and pivots on the toes of their left foot
- the right leg crosses over in front and take a full stride to the left
- continue with the regular fielding position tips
Fielding Pop-Ups
- quickly determine the arc of the ball and run to the general area where it will land
- run on the balls of their feet
- whenever possible, the ball should be caught using both hands at about eye-level and over the infielder's throwing arm shoulder
Mechanics of Throwing
- finger pads across the wide seams
- line up shoulders and hips with target in good balance position
- swing throwing arm straight back
- point the ball away from target (fingers on top of the ball)
- throwing action should complete a circle
- move toward target on completion of throw
Infielding Drills
Simulation Drills: (without a ball) Players line up facing the coach. The coach asks the group to assume the correct position upon command (i.e. resting, ready, and fielding).
Cross-over and Field Drill: (without a ball) The players are in the ready position and the coach asks them to cross-over (i.e. right or left) and advance three or four steps before gliding into a proper fielding position. Repeat several times in the same direction and then change to the other direction.
Cross-over, Field and Throw Drill: (without a ball) The same procedure is followed as above except a throwing action is added. After completing a fielding motion the player simulates the correct throwing technique, employing the crow-hop.
Group Ground Ball Drill: (with ball) Team members are divided into three groups. Balls should be rolled directly at them, to their left and their right. With each repetition the player assumes the ready position, then breaks for the ball, fields, and throws it back to the coach. The player then moves to the end of the line of the group.
Group Pop-up Drill: (with ball) The same procedure in the ground ball drill is used, except that balls are tossed in the air in various directions.
Partner Drill: (with ball) Pair players off when they have progressed to a point where less observation of techniques is needed. One partner can roll ground balls or toss pop-ups, while evaluating his/her partner's fielding skills. This drill provides many repetitions in a short period.
Bare-Hand Drill: The above drills that utilise a ball can be conducted in the same manner, but without the use of a glove. The drill accomplishes two things: it forces the players to use two hands and it encourages the hands to draw back slightly upon impact with the ball.
Partner Drill: (with ball) Pair players off when they have progressed to a point where less observation of techniques is needed. One partner can roll ground balls or toss pop-ups, while evaluating his/her partner's fielding skills. This drill provides many repetitions in a short period.
