How To Field a Ground Ball in Baseball
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Fielding a Ground Ball
This section was designed to help youth baseball players learn how to properly field a ground ball in three easy steps.
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Getting Ready for the Ground Ball
Step 1: Get in a Good Stance to Play a Ground Ball
Before the play, baseball players should anticipate the ball coming to them. They should be in an athletic stance ready to go anywhere for the ball. Their knees should be bent and their backs should be slightly arched. Their weight should be on the balls of their feet. Once all of the above is accomplished making the play should be a lot easier.
Fielding the Ground Ball
Step 2: Making the Play
After the ball is hit, the player should immediately get in front of it. He/she has to charge slowly rolling ground balls to get fast runners out. Once in front of the ball, the player should bend down like he/she is sitting on a chair or toilet always keeping his/her feet shoulder-width apart.
Make sure the player uses both hands to scoop the ball up. A common saying is "Field the ground ball like an alligator". After the player has properly received the ball make sure he/she absorbs the ball into his/her chest.
Getting the Ground Ball Out
Step 3: Throwing the Ball
He/she should take a few steps toward first base and make a strong throw. Make sure their eyes are always on the target. Their legs must stay bent with their weight on their back leg. Many players have the tendency to pop out of their good fielding stance to make the throw and this is why the majority of throwing errors are made.
All of this is easier said than done however. Fielding ground balls takes a lot of practice but by following these tips the youth baseball players should be pros in no time. Always remember to focus on the fundamentals and you will become a better infielder no matter what!
If you want to learn about How to Play the Outfield I encourage you to check out that site.
Ground Ball Training Aid
The Rawlings Quikhands Fielding And Training Aid
The Rawlings Quikhands is the best ground ball aid I have ever used and my little league team loves to use it!
Rawlings Quikhands Fielding And Training Aid
Amazon Price: $5.30 (as of 06/02/2012)
Develop lightning-quick hands with the Rawlings Quick Hands Trainer.
Rawlings Quick Hands Trainer features: Ideal for practicing hand eye coordination and quick hands, High durability foam for lasting performance, Contoured to fit palm, Includes Pro drills and instructions Rawlings Quick Hands Trainer...Practice, Play, Win!
Ground Ball Drills
Using the Rawlings Quikhands Trainer
I have seen the benefits of using the Rawlings Quikhands in drills and practice and the results are outstanding.
Simple Ground Ball Drills
Turn your Little Leaguers into Major Leaguers
The second drill is the short hop fungo drill. In this ground ball drill, coaches will stand about 20 feet back and hit one-hop ground balls at a player kneeling down. This drill will force players to trust their glove hand and reinforce the idea of soft hands.
The third drill is the reaction drill. In this drill, the coach will stand at home plate and hit a ground ball at the infielder at his regular position, however, the player starts turned around with his back towards home plate. When the ball is halfway to his player, the coach will yell, "NOW!" which is the cue for the player to turn around and field the ground ball naturally. This ground ball fielding drill will help players with their reaction times and improve their range.
Other Ground Ball Training Aids
Fun Ways to Help Your Little Leaguers Improve
SKLZ Reaction Ball
Reaction Ball is perfect for improvement of hand-e more...0 points
Diamond Infielder Training Glove
Diamond Training Glove...Train To Win! Diamond Inf more...0 points
Scott Stricklin: Indoor Practice Drills: Infield Drills (DVD)
with Scott Stricklin, Kent State University Head Coach more...0 points
Tim Walton: Infield and Outfield Skills & Drills (DVD)
with Tim Walton, University of Florida Head Coach; more...0 points
Mizuno Classic Pro GXT-1 Training Glove
<br /> <b>Mizuno Classic Pro GXT-1 Tra more...0 points
Teaching From Infield DVD's
My Coaching Experience with DVD's
Luckily, there are many great DVDs that can visually show you how to field a ground ball the right way. All of the infield DVDs on this page were made by someone with a wealth of infield and ground ball knowledge. Ex-MLB players, college coaches and professional players contribute to these DVDs which really make them a great investment.
When I started out coaching I sure felt like I knew alot, however, I wasnt always sure how to transfer this knowledge to the players I was working with. DVDs, for me, were able to bridge the gap and turned me into an excellent baseball coach.
Best Infield Ground Ball DVD's
Harold Reynolds Presents: Baseball Infield Vol.1
Ozzie Smith won 13 consecutive Gold Glove Awards for being the games top fielding shortstop. Now you can learn the tips, drills, and techniques that took Ozzie Smith all the way to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.0 points
Jack Leggett: Drills to Improve Infielder's Feet, Arms & Hands (DVD)
with Jack Leggett,
Clemson University Head Coach
This is the video that coaches all over the country who have seen Coach Leggett-coached teams have been asking for! Leggett demonstrates more than 25 drills he uses in his national power program to develop infielders. The drills focus on three key areas of improvement- the hands, the feet and throwing. Footwork drills using ladders & hurdles provide an excellent way to improve quickness and agility. Drills are demonstrated to develop hand quickne...0 points
Ed Servais: Dynamic Defensive Drills for Infielders (DVD)
with Ed Servais, Creighton University Head Coach;
In 2009 Creighton lead the NCAA Division I baseball in fielding percentage (.984), consistently ranks in the Top 5 in the nation in fielding percentage
During his tenure as Head Coach at Creighton University, Ed Servais has coached his teams to the highest fielding percentage in the country, with no other Division I team committing as few errors. Creighton has achieved a single-year fielding percentage as high as .984, which is the best in the N...0 points
What people are saying about ground balls...
Ground Ball Fielding Talk
- Work at 615 #HA. Then cages after and some ground balls with my new mitt :))) #LeggoTommorow #Afternoon
- They have gotten complacent, not putting in the effort of running ground balls out and trying to wait on HR or Need some1 like Trout Effort
- kinda got a lot to do tomorrow, but I think ima get up extra early n get some baseball work in..cages and ground balls
- @shartley Pitcher, so he can cover first on ALL ground balls and the plate if necessary.
- Balls balls balls white balls brown balls black yellow to pink balls saggyy to ground balls wrinkly tiny balls lol :) #BOOREDTeeTeeTweet
- RT @Baseballism: Ground balls are like significant others. Don't let them play you. #Americaspastimelooksgood
- I hate when MLB players dont run out ground balls
- All because Ian Kinsler can't field routine ground balls...
- fuck ian kinsler...fucking douchebag...eat your hearts out ladies, he cant hit or field ground balls recently.
- @ChasingOmaha they sure now how hit epic bounding ground balls on their home turf
How to Field a Ground Ball Comments
Baseball Fielding Comments are Encouraged!
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mbajc16
Feb 16, 2012 @ 3:15 am | delete
- Nice lens.
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Coopstar
Feb 14, 2012 @ 1:19 am | delete
- I'm sure many coaches can get great use out of this lens. Great job
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batsinthebelfry
Feb 10, 2012 @ 6:07 am | delete
- Very nice article on fielding ground balls
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Susan52
Feb 6, 2012 @ 9:53 pm | delete
- Almost time for spring training!
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