Set up your infield with a player at each position and the extra infielders and pitchers and catchers off to the side. The outfielders will act as runners (R) in this drill – one will be on 1st base with the others off to the side of 1st. All runners have their helmets on.

A coach will be at home with a bat and some balls.

Here’s how this drill, and this entire concept of numbering your groundballs works:

  • The drill is based on infielders learning to quickly identify the 3 types of groundballs:
    • #1 – is a Slow Roller (a slow rolling hit, bunt, or slap)
    • #2 – is a Regular Hit Groundball
    • #3 – is a Hard hit or Shot Groundball
  • Based on the type of groundball hit, here are the throwing rules if a runner is on 1st base when the groundball is hit:
    • #1 Groundball (slow) – no chance for a force at 2nd base, no chance for a doubleplay, and will be tough to get a lefty slapper out at 1st. So throw goes to 1st  unless no throw on a lefty slapper.
    • #2 Groundball (regular) – can probably get a force at 2nd, can probably get a double play (unless a lefty slapper hit the ball), and can probably get the batter at 1st (even a lefty slapper).
    • #3 Groundball (hard hit) – can get the force at 2nd, can probably get a double play, can probably get the slapper at 1st.

First, simply hit some different type of groundballs to your infielders:

  • Have them ALL yell out the #  of it as it’s hit. NO throws during this round, simply toss the ball back to the catcher and repeat.
  • After 3 -4 rounds without any throws, put a runner at first and BEFORE the coach hits a ball, ask the players – based on the speed of the runner – what # grounder would give them a chance to get the force at 2nd.
  • Then hit the ball and have your infielders  throw based on the type of grounder hit.

Keep in mind anytime a fielder bobbles a ball – it means the only play is at 1st, if any play at all!