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Published: September 2006
Categories: Base Running Hitting Outfield Defense
Type: drill
Purpose: This drill was originally designed to help baserunners learn how to quickly react to different situations on the field, but it’s often used to help our team on both offense and defense.
Explanation: Divide your team into two squads – one on offense and the other on de- fense. Half of your offensive squad will hit batting practice, preferably given by a coach who can throw consistent strikes, while the other half will be baserunners on second. Depending on how many players you have, you can put a defensive player at each position, but the drill also works well with as few as two infielders. Having a full outfield, however, is a must for this drill to work.
As each hitter takes her at-bat, the baserunners are reacting to the ball as it’s hit – advancing on grounders and tagging-up on fly balls to the outfield – just as they would in a live game. The defense also has the opportunity to throw the baserunners out as they attempt to advance.
I find that this drill is an excellent workout for teams with limited practice because it involves everyone on the team at once – the offense gets to take live batting practice while the players in the field have the opportunity to work on their skills in a game-like situation.