Diamond Drill – Run Through First
So, who has a problem with getting their players to understand the concept of running through first base, not to first base? Baseball is a game of inches, and on the base paths is where it can either win or lose games. A player hits the ball to a fielder and hustles up the first base line, but they get within 5 feet of the bag and they slow down. Once they hit the bag, they come to a complete stop. This drill will help them understand to run through the bag.
Split your team in half. One group stands at the plate, the other half stands at third. The player at home runs to first, while the player at third runs to second. Make it a race, either individual race or team race. The runner takes off, and as his foot hits the bag, the next one goes.
—tim
Diamond Tips – Base Running
This morning as I was doing my daily run on the treadmill, I was watching highlights from the previous night on the MLB channel (awesome channel by the way). There was a situation where the runner could have probably gotten an extra base if he followed the fundamentals. He hits a ball down the right field line, and as he is rounding first on the way to second base, he is turning his head to see where the ball is instead of picking up his 3rd base coach. He did eventually pick up the 3rd base coach, but it was as he was slowing down and pulling up at 2nd base.
When a ball is in play, and especially if it is behind you, pick up your coach. He is watching the ball for you. You should pick up the coach about 1/2 to 3/4 of the way to 2nd base. If he had done this, he could have possibly been standing on 3rd base instead of 2nd. When he stopped at 2nd base, the cut off man was just receiving the ball from the right fielder. Get in the practice now of picking up the coach, even if the play is in front of you.
—tim
Diamond Drills – Get Dirty
I was shocked to find out how many players did not know how to slide, so here was a drill to teach them how to run the bases, get back to the bag head first, then slide when stealing a base.
Runner starts at home. Runs to first and rounds the bag and then must dive back to first as if the fielder tried to throw behind him. Gets a lead off first, then breaks toward second and slides into second. Then gets a lead off second, dives back to bag, gets up and leads, then steals third and slides. Lead off third (in foul territory), then dives back to third. Leads off and then sprints home with no slide.
The next runner in line starts once the guy in front of him breaks from first. Watch the slide attempts and correct AFTER the drill is completed.
—tim
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