A BASEBALL DRILL CALLED FOOTBALL
This is a fun drill for younger players.

I will usually end a practice with a game of "Football". I split the players into 2 teams and line them up about 10 feet apart with myself in the middle, and a coach (or parent) on the outside of each line.

I will have each line alternate having a player back-peddle about 25-30 feet, where I will then throw a pop up to either side of the player. If they catch the ball, they get 2 points. As soon as they catch the ball, the have to set themselves and make a perfect throw to the coach on their side. If the throw is good, they get an additional point. I will run them through this 3 times each, alternating the lines.

Then I will have them run back on an angle (instead of back-peddling), and throw the ball to either side of them, forcing them to adjust. The same point system is used.

The players have fun with this drill, and it helps them get used to judging fly balls, and making good throws to the cut-off man.

OUTFIELD COMMUNICATION
This drill is done with everyone, but the main intent is for outfield and communication.

We have all of the athletes make two lines about 100 feet apart. We then throw a ball in the air. We make the players call ball by yelling ball, ball, ball, and then we have the other playe acknowledge by saying you, you, you. This does two things. First, it reduces injury and makes sure the ball is going to be caught. Secondly, it gives the athlete confidence to catch the ball with the acknolwedgement of the other player.

Both of the players go hard to the ball at all times until one finally calls for it and the other acknowledges. This communications is essential for confidence and reduction of injury. We also tell the athletes to never acknowledge until the ball is called. In other words, do not say you, you, you until someone calls for the ball. We don't want a player making a decision for another.

OH-MAN!
This is a combination drill. The drill works on position for the fly ball, footwork, throwing, picking up the ball in flight, speed, hitting the cutoff, and throwing accuracy.

The drill starts with a coach, a bucket of balls (at least 8), a catcher, and a cutoff man (Coaches may fill in these roles also). The rest of the players line up at or close to the outfield fence (usually left center or right center). The cutoff man goes to his regular position (ss or 2nd).

The object is for the outfielder to actually place the ball in the catchers glove at home plate with out making a single miscue of either throwing or catching. The key is accuracy of the coach that is hitting with the fungo.

Note: On smaller fields the coaches may throw the ball instead of hitting, this works very well for the younger players.

The coach will hit/or throw the first ball in the air high and long. The player should not have to move much. The player uses proper technique in catching then throws the ball to the cutoff man. Before the ball has left the fielders hand, the coach will throw another ball (throws or hits it), but this time it is not quite so high and shorter in length. Now the player must be on the move to catch the ball. Again, after he catches the ball, he must hit the cutoff man and continue moving towards home plate. Once again, before the ball leaves the fielder hands, another ball is on the way being a line drive or a short hop. Determined by the players position on the field, the player fields the ball and throws to either the catcher or the cutoff man. The player needs to keep moving toward the catcher at the highest rate of speed, but yet still under control. The coach keeps hitting ground balls to the player and now the player should be on the dirt infield and throwing the ball to the catcher, still moving forward until he places it in the catchers glove.

This drill can be modified for strict or lenient guidelines as to throwing accuracy. But, if the player misses just one ball...then to the back of the line and "OH-MAN" he/she has to do it again.

The drill is fun and the kids enjoy it. As the kids get better (and the coaches hitting accuracy) we hit balls faster and harder and tighten up the guidelines to throwing accuracy. I have used this drill for ages 8 to 18.