Baseball Catch Drills

Fielding is one of the most important parts of baseball and frequently makes all the difference in a close game. Practicing drills that teach players how to catch the ball correctly from a young age will help them learn proper technique. By repeating the drills, players will naturally develop good technique.

  1. Tennis Ball Drill

    • This drill encourages players to use two hands to catch the ball. Start by having each player line up in his usual position on the field. Instead of using a baseball bat, use a tennis racket to hit fly balls to the fielders. Because the tennis ball is more likely to bounce out of a fielder's glove, it forces a fielder to use his nonglove hand to keep the ball from popping out. The exercise is particularly helpful for younger players because it teaches them good technique and can be a stepping stone to boost the confidence of players who are afraid of the baseball.

    Sun Ball Drill

    • The purpose of the sun ball drill is to help players practice catching fly balls in the sun. When conducting this drill with young players, you may want to use a softer ball rather than a baseball. Have two players stand 15 to 20 yards apart, with one player positioned so that the sun is directly behind her. The player with the sun at her back should then throw the ball into the air, arching it into the sun. The fielding player must then use her glove to shield her eyes from the sun and catch the ball. Repeat the exercise five times before switching roles.

    Short-Hop Drill

    • The short-hop drill is designed to help players field short-hops from a stationary position. Start by having two players lined up between 60 and 90 feet apart. The players should then take turns throwing short-hops to each other. The player fielding the ball must judge whether to charge the ball or back up on it. Vary the throws to work on different types of short-hops.

    Fly Ball Communication Drill

    • The purpose of this drill is to help players improve communication on fly balls and infield pop-ups. Ideally, one coach should stand on the third-base side of the infield and another on the first-base side. Have the infielders play in their normal positions, with the outfielders positioned slightly shallower than usual. The coaches should rotate between hitting fly balls to the infielders and outfielders on their respective side of the diamond. The fielders must communicate and decide who will make the catch.