by Cannonball » Wed Jan 30, 2008 2:52 pm
sbdad, Vikings' child plays in a very good program. They are well respected in our area (St. Louis) and do a lot of winning. I live on the east side of the Mississippi River or what is known as the Metro East. However, our teams have run into each other a few times. sbdad, per myself, I was a head coach in our high school baseball program for several years. We averaged 24 wins per year for the past 9 years. Despite being the smallest school in our regionals, we won 4 regional and one sectional championship. The schools that eliminated us each year were more than twice as big as us. I was also an assistant coach in a very successful program for several more years. I have coached in over 600 wins at the varsity level and have coached a few state championship teams. Two of those teams were also rated, via various publications, as the #1 team in the U.S.A. Naturally, having said all of this, the truth behind our success has always been the kids. (BTW, I resigned my baseball position so that I can watch my dd play high school ball. She's a freshman this year.)
Viking, yes, getting someone to take the time for fundamentals is important but sometimes overlooked. There are several ways of doing this that can be done quickly and yet, will aid practice.
Since this is the "drill" forum, here is more to think about.
Create 2 areas that face opposite directions. They must be spaced approximately 25 feet apart. In area #1 put a yard stick (young players) or a bat (older players) on the ground 60-70 feet from a screen that has markings on it for a target. Have each player in this line have a ball but one. The one that doesn't have a ball goes up and stands beside but at a safe distance from, the screen. Place a ball on the ground about 2 feet in front of the yardstick/bat. The players in this line step forward one at a time as if they are stepping forward into fielding position as the pitcher throws the ball. Then, they charge the ball on the ground. They must step over the yardstick/bat with one foot to "gather the ball in." They don’t actually touch the ball on the ground and, in fact, have a ball already in their gloves. They work on their staggered footwork on fielding the ball, then, they work on their footwork on the throw by now stepping over that yardstick/bat with their back foot, point their lead elbow at their target and throw. The thrower now sprints to the position next to the screen but to the side where they are safe. The person that was standing there picks up that ball and begins to spring to Area #2. In doing so, the pause, after they are clear of Area #1 and throw a fly ball to the fielder leaving Area #2 to go to Area #1. Wow is this getting confusing.
Area #2. This is a ground ball station. The player that has entered Area #2 is at the end of the line after they throw a fly ball to the fielder leaving Area #2 to go to Area #1. The first person in line now steps up for a live ground ball. They are expected to field the ball using the technique they worked on in Area #1, set their feet, and throw to a coach who if “shagging” for the coach hitting fungos. We expect every throw to hit the coach with the glove in the chest. After the fielder makes the throw to the coach, they spring in the direction of Area #1 and look for the fly ball being thrown to them. After they catch the ball, they get into the end of the line for Area #1.
If done properly, this is a good warm up drill.
We then go from this drill into what we call “Double Infield” and then to “Multiple Infield.” I don’t believe in hitting the typical infield where one player fields while the others stand and watch.
Wow, I hope all of this makes sense!
Granny said sonny stick to your guns if you believe in something no matter what because it's better to be hated for who you are than to be loved for who you're not.
CoachB25 on other boards.