| Pitcher fielding practice should be an important | | | | Set 2 - "Squeeze Play and Throwing to Second |
| part of every team's regular practice routine. | | | | Baseball to Double Play" |
| Pitcher fielding practice is an activity that allows | | | | During the second half of PFP's we will have the |
| pitchers to practice fielding and making good | | | | "right" side group field a "come backer" ground ball |
| throws to the different bases in different | | | | and make a throw to 1st or 2nd. The "left" side |
| situations. | | | | group will may a "do-or-die" play on a squeeze |
| Our Pitcher Fielding Practice or PFP, as it is called, | | | | play for 1 minute and then cover home on a |
| requires all infielders and all pitchers. The activity | | | | passed ball for the remaining 2 minutes. |
| takes only 7 minutes. Therefore we do PFP drills | | | | Coaching Point: Comebacker |
| every day in practice. This practice activity | | | | The coach will call out where runners are before |
| requires two coaches to fungo or hit the ground | | | | the ball is hit. The pitchers always work out of the |
| balls, 6 baseballs, and 4 catchers alternating and | | | | stretch. The catcher will make a "2 call" if the ball |
| catching up. | | | | is a double play ball and there is a runner on 1st. If |
| First Set - Pitcher Covering First and Bunt throw | | | | the ball is bobble or too slow for to turn two, the |
| to 2nd Base | | | | catcher will make a "1 call" and the pitcher will |
| We begin the activity by having 2 middle infielders | | | | make a throw to 1st. If no runners on base the |
| report to their position. We will then divide the | | | | pitcher will make a throw to 1st. We will vary the |
| pitchers into two groups. One line will be getting | | | | situations on various days. The coach may call a |
| over to first on a ball hit to the right side. The | | | | runner on any base or all bases. The pitcher may |
| other line will be fielding bunts and making the | | | | check a runner at 2nd and go one, check a |
| throw to second. This is the first segment of the | | | | runner at 3rd and go 1. The pitcher may have to |
| drill and we do this for 3.5 minutes without a beak. | | | | go home with it if the 3rd base man makes a "4 |
| The pitchers will rotate lines after each throw. | | | | call". The pitcher may also turn two if the catcher |
| The "cover first group" works on the right side of | | | | makes a "2 call". All infielders are used during this |
| the diamond. The bunt cover to 2nd base group | | | | drill and "talking" is vital. |
| works on the left side of the diamond. The line will | | | | Coaching Point: Squeeze Play - Cover Home |
| run out toward 2nd base. The pitchers will set up | | | | The "left" side group will may a "do-or-die" play on |
| even with the pitching rubber but will shade to | | | | a squeeze play for 1 minute. The pitcher must |
| their respective side to allow enough space for | | | | charge the ball and use a "scoop and throw" |
| both groups to work at the side time without | | | | technique to get the ball to the catcher. The |
| delays or stopping. | | | | winning run is at third and the play is a "do-or-die" |
| Coaching Points: Covering First | | | | play. Speed and accuracy is important. The |
| The pitcher will must take a good angle toward | | | | catcher must complete the play with a simulated |
| the line and work up the line toward the bag. The | | | | tag. |
| catcher will yell, "get over" each time a ball is hit. | | | | Next, the pitcher will practice covering home on a |
| The first baseman will communicate with the | | | | passed ball or wild pitch. The catcher will retrieve |
| pitcher to let him know if he will take to the bag | | | | the ball using a "slide by" pickup technique. The |
| himself. If the first baseman bobbles or is slower | | | | catcher must make a perfect tag spot throw to |
| getting to a ball, the pitcher will setup and stretch | | | | the pitcher. The pitcher will hustle, set up for the |
| on the throw. It is important that the pitcher | | | | throw and finish the play with a simulated tag. |
| avoid shading over into the base path in order to | | | | Note: A lot of action is occurring is this 7 minute |
| avoid a collision with the runner. The pitchers will | | | | drill. If commit only 7 minutes so the "sense of |
| work out of the windup. | | | | urgency" make the kids really bounce around and |
| Coaching Point: Bunt throw to 2nd base | | | | hustle. Each fielder receiving a throw will step out |
| The pitchers and catchers will make a call. If the | | | | of the drill and make a throw to the 2nd catcher |
| catcher can field it, he will. If the pitcher fields it, | | | | in their drill. The catcher will then toss the ball to |
| the catcher will make a "2 call". Communication | | | | the coach for the next rep. The catchers |
| and verbal calls by the catcher is an important | | | | alternate each side every other day. One day |
| part of this drill. The pitcher must make a perfect | | | | two catchers will work the "right side" drills and |
| throw every time. Make sure that the pitcher has | | | | the next day they will work the "left side" drills. |
| the right approach to the ball and sets the feet | | | | I hope you find this information useful and |
| before picking it up, if he can. Good footwork will | | | | beneficial. I know that you can add and make |
| save time and make execution of the throw | | | | improvements to this activity as you use it. Good |
| easier. The pitchers will work out of the stretch. | | | | Luck till next time, Nick Dixon. |