DRILLS AND PRACTICE TIPS
Catcher Quick Hands
Drill
Source: baseballxpert.com
This is a great catcher's drill that works on quick
throwing mechanics to get the ball out of the
glove and make a throw quickly and accurately.
Basic set up:
Have two catchers face each other kneeling on
one or both knees about 20 ft. apart. The catcher
receiving the ball gets into ready position.
Have one catcher toss a baseball to the catcher in
ready position so the catch can be made in front
of the catcher. As the ball makes contact with the
catcher's mit, the throwing hand quickly covers
the ball while putting the fingers on the seams.
Without hesitation the catcher throws the ball to
the other catcher who is also in ready position.
Focus in good catcher form, quickness from the
catch and short arm throw.
Variation:
Start with a tennis ball bare handed.
Use a flat training glove.
County Fair
Gets everyone involved base running, throwing
and fielding.
Basic set up:
All infielders (no pitcher) 2-3 catchers and 1-2 first
basemen. One outfielder in short centerfield.
Extra players wait in line in the outfield for their
turn in the rotation. Catchers will only rotate at
the plate. They will not field a position unless
they also play the field. First basemen will stay at
first.
Execution:
The coach will hit a grounder to the shortstop. He
will field the ball and throw to first base.
Once the first baseman received the ball he will
throw to third base (who acts as if he is tagging a
runner).
The third baseman will then throw to second base
to the second baseman covering the bag to start a
double play.
The second baseman turns and throws the ball to
first base. He waits until the first baseman gets
the ball then he becomes a base runner and heads
for home. As he rounds third he tosses his glove
toward the dugout.
Once the first baseman has received the ball he
throws home to the catcher - who once receiving
the ball throws to second base as if throwing out a
base runner going to second but there will be no
one covering the bag. IMPROTANT - The catcher
must throw to the bag not to centerfield. This is
where the centerfielder (who is playing shallow
center) will get the ball on a 2 or 3 hop and throw
home trying to get the runner out at home (the
runner is the second baseman). The centerfielder
cannot “cheat”. He must wait until the ball get in
the vicinity of second base before he can break to
the ball.
Rotation.
Once the entire play is complete. The catchers
just switch places. First base stays (or switches
with another first baseman – but they both stay at
first).
The rest follow this rotation.
The base runner (who was the second
baseman) goes to the outfield to wait his
turn to play centerfield.
Centerfielder goes to third.
Third goes to shortstop
Shortstop becomes second baseman
The drill starts again. This works on quick
accurate throws, a variety of throws and base
running. Occasional sub another player in at
catcher and first base so those position players
have an opportunity to get the other work in too.