Baseball Fielding Instruction

Playing First Base

Steven Ellis — Tue, 26 May 2009 09:01:50 +0000

Desirable Characteristics:

Should be tall and agile.
Should have quick hands and feet.
Preferable if left handed making it easier to field bunts and throw to third base.
Should be able to hit with some power.

Fielding Tips For Playing First Base

You must ALWAYS play close enough to the base to be able to take the throw. Straddle the base with your feet while waiting for the throw. If the throw is on line, stretch out and catch it. If the throw is on the home plate side of first, put your right foot on the bag and stretch with your left. If the throw is on the outfield side of first, put your left foot on the base and stretch with your right foot
When throwing to the pitcher covering first, throw shoulder high at least two steps before the base; throw it, don’t toss it unless you are very close; you can throw more accurately than tossing.
When holding a runner on base, put your pivot foot on the base and the other foot shoulder width apart towards the pitcher.
Pop off of the base and cover your position or you will create a large hole in the infield.
Charge hard on bunts.
Let EVERYONE know if the runner is stealing; be loud.
You are responsible for taking relay throws to home on hits to center and right fields.
On a dropped third strike that goes to the screen, clear yourself for the throw from the catcher to the outside of the baseline.
Back-up throws to second base from the left and center fields.
In a close game, guard the line in later innings.

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Baseball Fielding Positions

Steven Ellis — Tue, 26 May 2009 08:55:24 +0000

P: Pitcher (Position “number” 1) - While the primary role of a pitcher is to pitch the ball, he must also be able to field his position. This consists of fielding ground balls and bunts up the middle of the diamond, and covering any base if necessary. Good throwing speed is helpful, but not as important as accuracy, the spot in which you throw the ball. The pitcher must also be ready to catch the ball when it comes into the infield to stop the play.

C: Catcher (2) - Wears protective equipment: mask, special helmet, shin guards, chest protector. Uses special glove designed as a padded target. He must catch, or at least block, all the pitches to prevent baserunners from advancing, in addition to preventing stolen bases with a strong throwing arm. He must also catch pop-ups into the foul territory behind the baseline, and tag out runners who are attempting to score, while blocking their access to home plate. A catcher must hustle to all balls that get past him, and be ready to jump up and get any slow rollers or bunts in front of home plate and throw to any base quickly.

1B: First Base (3) - The first baseman’s job, in addition to fielding balls hit in his direction, is primarily to catch throws from the other infielders (2B, 3B and SS) in order to retire the batter and prevent him from getting on base. When a runner is on first base, the first baseman should stand in his regular position, but in front of the runner, so as to not block his base path.

2B: Second Base (4) - The second baseman has the important defensive role to field ground balls hit toward him and, if necessary, start a double play. When the ball is hit to the shortstop, the second baseman will help “turn” a double play by stepping on second base, fielding the throw from SS, and throwing to first base, to retire both the batter, and the runner on first. The second baseman should also back-up ground balls to the first baseman, and cover first in the event that a slow roller pulls the first baseman away from first base to make the play. Also, he must backup the shortstop on throws from the catcher on a steal. If a ball is hit into the outfield on the shortstop side of second base, he must cover second base. If the ball is hit on the second baseman side of second base, he must go out for the “relay” throw from the outfielder.

3B: Third Base (5) - Third base is known as “The Hot Corner”, since most right-handed hitters will tend to hit the ball hard in this direction. The third baseman must be able to field ground balls and throw strongly to any base, as well as cover fly balls in fair and foul territory.

SS: Shortstop (6) - Shortstops, like the second baseman, must field ground balls and start or turn double plays. In addition, they need a stronger arm as the throw to first base is farther from the shortstop side. The shortstop will cover throws from the catcher to second base when a runner is stealing. Also, when a ball is hit into the outfield on the shortstop side of second base, he is to go out for the “relay” throw from the outfielder. If the ball is hit to the second baseman side of second base, he then must cover second base.

LF: Left Field (7), CF: Center Field (8), RF: Right Field (9) - The role of the outfielders is to chase down and catch any ball hit into the outfield and, if necessary, make a rapid and accurate return throw, either to a base or to the “cut-off man”, an infielder who has moved into a position specifically to make a relay throw. Outfielders should be fast, quick to the ball, and make good and quick throws into the infield.

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Fielding Fundamentals: 16 Tips For Playing The Infield

Steven Ellis — Tue, 26 May 2009 08:14:19 +0000

Be aware and consider the speed of the batter and any base runners. Be aware of how much time you have. Don’t panic! If you knock a hard hit ball down and keep it front of you, you very often will have plenty of time to make a play.
Short stop and second baseman- talk to each other! Who’s covering second on a steal? Who will take a throw from the pitcher? Communicate communicate, communicate!
Pick up the catcher’s signs and try and know what pitch is being thrown. A fastball away to right-handed batter may mean a ball to the right side of the infield.
See the ball. Watch it all the way into your glove.
Have good body position. Try to field the ball from the middle of your body
over to your glove side.
Use the full length of your glove (heel of the glove to the fingertips) and width of your glove (thumb to your little glove fingers). Keep your baseball fielding glove open.
Use your feet- crow hop to throw. Throw cross seam - so the ball won’t tail, sink or run to the player you are throwing to.
When throwing - focus on your target. Don’t watch the flight of the ball.
Stress throwing accuracy on every throw.
Infielders should work on coming in on ground balls. When a ball is bouncing
use two hands. When a ball is rolling slowly you can use your bare hand.
Be sure to work on going side to side on ground balls- backhand and forehand.
Don’t forget the proper footwork and balance.
Work on your double plays. Concentrate on foot work and glove hand transfer.
Work on going after fly balls-both side to side and forward and back.
During your pop-up and fly ball drills, make sure you work on shading the sun.
Again, remember to always stress throwing accuracy and proper footwork on every drill and play.

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The Fundamentals Of Baseball Fielding

Steven Ellis — Tue, 26 May 2009 08:09:32 +0000

Glove should be on the ground and glove and opposite hand should form a basket to receive the ball. No ball has ever gone through the glove, only underneath it.
The player can not just bend from the waist and expect to field a ground ball. Rear end should not be up in the air. If knees are flexed properly, the butt will be down.
With runners at first and second, the standard bunt defense calls for the first and third basemen, along with the pitcher, to the charge the ball, while the second baseman covers first. In the “wheel” defense with runners at first and second, the same players charge the ball, but the shortstop - after he “drives” the runner on second back to the bag with an aggressive jab step-then races to cover third. The second baseman covers second. The ball is thrown to third unless the fielder is certain the runner will be safe.
With runners on first and third, there are three basic defensive strategies: First, the catcher can try to throw out the runner heading for second base. Second, the shortstop or second baseman can cut off a throw to second in front of the bag and relay it to the catcher to put out a runner trying to steal home. Finally, the catcher can throw to third to attempt to pick off the runner.
When the bases are loaded or runners are at first and third with less than two outs, infielders should be placed in a “split” position, with the first and third basemen playing in and the middle infielders at double-play depth.
On relays from the outfield to the middle infielder to get a runner going from third to home, the key is to keep the ball off the ground. Make quick, crisp, accurate throws. And infielders should be in a position to start the tandem as quickly as possible.

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Fielding Fundamentals: 16 Tips For Playing The Infield Be aware and consider the speed of the batter...
Playing First Base Desirable Characteristics: Should be tall and agile. Should have quick...

Fielding Practice: How To Practice Fielding A Baseball

Steven Ellis — Tue, 26 May 2009 07:31:44 +0000

Practice makes perfect. If your baseball position is as a second baseman, get to practice a little early and practice turning the double play with the shortstop.

Or you might practice covering first base while the first baseman is taking grounders, so he’ll get used to throwing to a teammate instead of racing the batter to the base.

It’s really important to practice fielding with the other fielders that you work with in a game, so that you all have confidence in each other.

A baseball team would like to consider every ground ball hit to an infielder as a “sure out.” But this can be achieved only by a lot of hard work in fielding practice sessions - taking ground balls, fielding pop-ups, etc. - and with plenty of concentration on the part of all the infielders, along with an abundance of natural talent. Playing the infield requires great athletic skill, but these skills can be developed by practicing fielding regularly.

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Fielding Techniques: Charging Ground Balls

Steven Ellis — Tue, 26 May 2009 07:27:02 +0000

When fielding a ground ball, always go to the ball. Don’t back up or wait for it to get to you. If you charge, you will get to it faster. Plus if it takes a bad bounce while you’re going back or waiting, it will be harder to adjust, and if you charge you might get to it before it takes a bad bounce.

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Fielding Tips: A Youth Baseball Fielding Strategy

Steven Ellis — Tue, 26 May 2009 07:26:00 +0000

Each youth baseball infielder (and outfielder) can pretend that each batter is a fungo hitter who is attempting to hit a ground ball to him on every pitch. Then the infielder won’t be surprised when the ball leaves the bat and heads in his direction.

If he doesn’t play this mind game with himself on every pitch, then when the ball does come to him he will have a tendency to rock back on his heels and not be prepared, which will put him at a disadvantage in moving quickly toward the ball.

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Fielding Techniques: The Ready Position

Steven Ellis — Tue, 26 May 2009 07:21:50 +0000

The ready position or proper fielding position before each pitch is as follows:

Body lean slightly forward
Weight on the balls of feet, heels up
Knees bent
Glove down and ready
Shoulders square
Feet shoulder width apart
Eyes focused

A baseball fielder in this position can easily move forward, backward, right, or left with great quickness.

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Fielding Techniques: Fielding Ground Balls

Steven Ellis — Tue, 26 May 2009 07:15:38 +0000

The best way to field a ground ball, especially in the infield, is to stand so that when you get the ball in your glove, your glove foot is forward. That way as you come up step forward with the left foot as you grip the ball, and then throw the ball you step forward with the right foot. This gives two steps as you throw, and will give you more velocity on the ball.

When fielding ground balls, always field a ground ball with your hands in front of the bill of the cap. This helps with seeing the ball and your glove more effectively. Also, always use a crossover step when moving to either side to field ground balls or fly balls, this insures a quicker break to the ball.

Keep a “little finger to little finger” relationship with the hands with the glove wide open and facing the ball when fielding a ground ball for better glove dexterity and control. Also keep a “thumb to thumb” relationship with the hands when catching a fly ball to insure a successful catch along with the ability to make a quality throw.

Your feet should be slightly outside your shoulders and knees should be bent at a 45-degree angle. Remember when fielding grounders to always bend at the knees and never at the waist. Field the ball in front of your body with your trap or throwing hand near your glove for help from bad hops.

Fielding Techniques: Throwing A Baseball Each position player on the baseball field has to know...
Fielding Techniques: The Ready Position The ready position or proper fielding position before each pitch...
Fielding Techniques: Charging Ground Balls When fielding a ground ball, always go to the ball....

Fielding Techniques: Throwing A Baseball

Steven Ellis — Tue, 26 May 2009 07:11:37 +0000

Each position player on the baseball field has to know the proper technique for throwing a baseball. This will keep sore arms to a minimum and allow you to make strong, accurate throws to the intended base.

The player throwing the ball should square his back foot like you are putting it against the pitching rubber as a pitcher would when pitching from the stretch. The throwing arm should be fully extended behind the player. Grip the baseball with the thumb down and the index and middle finger on top forming a “V”. This is called a four-seam grip. You should be able to look back and see the top two fingers forming the “V” if your arm is fully extended.

Line your front shoulder and hip with your target prior to throwing to aid your visual focusing and to have a better control of the throw and always hold the ball loose with your fingers and hand to promote speed and accuracy of your throws.

Whether you’re an infielder or an outfielder, the target should always be at the chest of the other player. That’s where your teammates can handle your throw the best. This works whether the distance is 5 feet or 80 feet. Again, the receiving player can handle the ball much easier if thrown at the chest.

Follow through with the throwing shoulder toward the target after releasing the ball to eliminate arm strain and to help control your throw, and always keep your throwing arm and wrist loose and flexible for more command of control and speed of your throw. The throwing motion should be as over hand as possible. Never tuck the ball behind your ear before throwing a baseball.

Fielding Techniques: Fielding Ground Balls The best way to field a ground ball, especially in...
Fielding Fundamentals: 16 Tips For Playing The Infield Be aware and consider the speed of the batter...
Fielding Techniques: The Ready Position The ready position or proper fielding position before each pitch...