The Wheel

Light Toss

Wiffle BP

The Relay

Champ

WARM-UP

 

Running drills:

 

Description: All players are side by side on a line. Players do the exercise on a 45 feet distance, going and returning.

 

Variations and progression:

A. Military walk

C. Shuffle steps

H. Sprint, baseball start

I. Backpedal run

 

Warm-up:

 

Description: Warming up with various exercises giving opportunities to stretch the body and prepare itself for baseball practice.

 

Throwing and receiving:

 

Exercise "The Wheel"

 

Description: In pairs, the players play catch using the proper mechanics.

 

Equipment: 1 “Incrediball” for each player

 

Variations and progression:

A. Players simulate the mechanics without a ball.

B. Player sits with legs crossed.

D. On 1 knee (throwing arm's knee).

G. Add one step with the glove side (giant step), just before throwing.

 

HITTING

 

Exercise "Light Toss"

 

Description: Players can do this in pairs or in groups of three (each group needs 6-10 baseballs). With a partner or a coach located at 45 degrees beside the batter, simply ask the player to hit the ball tossed underhand.

 

Get one player to kneel in front and to the side of the hitter and toss a ball with little or no arc in front of them.

 

After the hitter has had 10-15 quality swings, get the players to switch. The pitcher should keep the delivery consistent so that hitters can find their timing.

 

Equipment: Various bats and balls

 

Variations and Progressions:

C. Regular toss without moving feet (no step)

D. Regular toss with one knee down

 

Key points:

Feet wider than shoulders

Hands high and back

Hands together on the bat

 

Exercise "Wiffle BP"

 

Description: With a coach standing in front of the player at 20 feet and throwing, simply ask the player to hit the ball.

 

Equipment: Various bats and balls (wiffle balls)

 

Players are usually set up as follows:

- 2 players hitting

- 2 players catching behind the hitters

- 1 player feeding balls to the coach

- rest of players in the field (gathering balls)

 

Players rotate (in pairs) from the field, to catching behind the hitters, to hitting, and finally back to the field.

 

After a coach has thrown the ball to one hitter, he/she immediately throws the next pitch to the other hitter.

 

Players rotate after each group has had 10-15 quality swings.

 

Key points:

Feet must be wider than shoulders

Hands high and back

Hands together on bat

 

THROWING

 

Exercise "The Relay"

 

Exercise "The Relay"

 

Description: Split players into 2 groups (depending on the number of players). Each team forms a line. A hoola hoop filled with balls of different kinds is located 30 feet in front of each team, with two cones placed at 15 feet and 30 feet from the hoop.

When given a signal, a player goes to the hoop and from there tries to throw a ball at each cone. Two throws are allowed. The player then returns to the line and the next player attempts the task.

 

Equipment:

Several balls (2 minimum) of all kinds

2 cones per team so between 4 and 6 cones

2-3 hoops

 

Variations and progression:

Distance -  depending on players’ abilities (closer or farther)

A. If player hits 1st cone = 1 point, 2nd cone = 3 points; first team to finish = 2 points

B. You can add challenges... between line and hoop (be creative!).

C. Without cones and hoops, teams are in line. Players throw to a partner. First team to go all the way and back gets the point.

 

Exercise "Champ"

 

Objective:         Practice throwing and receiving

 

Description: 1 adult for every 2 players or players in partners if they are capable of throwing and catching the ball back and forth

 

Every time a ball is caught by one of the two players, they get a letter from the word “CHAMP”. Partners can compete against other partners to see which pair can spell “CHAMP” first.

 

Letters can be awarded for good throws back to the adult as well.

 

Variation and progression:

Let players select their own words (e.g. Barney, elephant, etc.)

 

Equipment: 1 ball for every 2 players

 

GAME & GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

 

Exercise "Bucket Ball"

 

Goal: Throwing, fielding, base running, cooperation, and teamwork

 

Equipment: 2 balls, 4 bases, helmet, pail or bag

 

Description: 2 teams of 6 - one on offence - one on defense. The defensive team has a catcher at home plate and the other players at appropriate locations.  The offensive team has 1 player to THROW from home plate and the other players awaiting their turn from a safe distance.

 

Activity: Offensive “batter” throws out 2 balls, at one time in quick succession and runs around the bases trying to make it home before the fielding team gets both balls in a pail. If the ball is caught, the “batter” is out. Fielders may NOT run with the ball. It must be thrown Home. Relay the ball if necessary. Remind players to make sure the catcher is looking; An adult may have to help at home.

 

Variation and progression:     

A-          Batter throws 2 balls

B-          Batter hits 2 balls

 

Exercise "Single/Double/Triple/Home Run"

 

A hit that gets a batter to 1st base is called a “single.” If the batter makes it to 2nd base safely on a hit it is called a “double.” And, if he makes it to 3rd base safely it is called a “triple.”

 

Doubles and triples usually make it past the outfielders, allowing the batter to advance around the bases more easily.

 

Sometimes, a batter makes it around all 3 bases and back to home plate in one attempt. Getting around all the bases with one hit is called a “home run.”