Baseball Warm-Up Drill
I stand at home plate.
The pitchers mound/shortstop players field the ball from me and then throw to first.
The next one in each line is the outfielder backing up the fielder.

Once we’ve done a few minutes of this, I take two players at a time and make them base runners (they alternate) who have to try to get to first before the fielders can throw them out.

I make the base runners start at the backstop fence farthest from first base.
I’ll let the base runners go two or three times each and then cycle through new base runners until everyone has had a turn.  If there are an odd number of players, I’ll be a base runner.

Coaching Throwing Tip
I make them throw 50 good throws in a row (without the ball touching the ground).  I use that to keep their concentration up.  During games as we approach the last few outs, I remind them by saying “this is like throw #45 – keep your focus!”.  This helps them concentrate through the end of the game.

Baserunning Relay Drill
I created relay teams of 4 players on each team.  (If your team doesn’t have 12 or 16 players, then the coach will determine which of the players needs this drill the least and those players can help with watching the bases to make sure all bases are touched.)

I divide the teams up evenly in terms of running speed.  The coach with the stopwatch yells “go” & starts the watch.  The first runner will run the batter’s box to first base, and must tag the 2nd runner.

Here’s the catch…the 2nd runner must be located in foul territory, 8-10 feet PAST first base, typically where the base umpire would stand.  This reinforces running THROUGH first base, slightly turning into foul territory.

The starting location of runner #2 is also typically where a runner might be after running through 1st base, who is sent to 2nd on an overthrow to 1st !

Runner #2 takes off after being tagged and heads to 2nd base, rounds 2nd, then tags the 3rd runner, who is located 8-10 feet or so past 2nd base, in a line that would be typical for a runner who is rounding 2nd to head for 3rd base.  (Using cones to help the players understand the “rounding” base path works very well for younger players).

The 3rd runner will then run to third and tag the last runner who is located 8-10 feet or so past 3rd base.  The last runner now runs to home plate.  The stopwatch isn’t stopped until the 4th runner gets through home plate to a cone located 10 feet past home plate.  This reinforces running all the way through home plate.

If any runner misses a base, they must go back to touch the base before tagging the next runner.

Set up the teams to compete against each other & the fastest time will earn bragging rights within the squad.  With my 8U team, they earned the right to throw a water balloon at the coach of their choice after practice.  You’d be amazed how hard your players will work to earn that right!

Running 1 through 4
Two lines down at home plate.
First line in the right-hand batters box.
Second line about 10 feet or so toward 1st base and off the foul line.

When prompted, a runner from each line takes off.

The line in the batters box runs through 1st and breaks down.
The other line rounds 1st and heads into 2nd.

When prompted, now 4 runners take off.

Runner at 1st goes to 3rd (picking up coach).
Runner at 2nd goes home (switching lines after getting home).
2 lines at home still the same.

Now bases are full and we’ll have 5 running with the next two at home.

Ensure the runners switch lines after reaching home, so they will now have different routes/situations to run.

This is also a great conditioning and teamwork drill.  Give it a try.

Pickle
Set up enough stations for 3 kids: 9 players would be 3 stations.
Each station has two orange cones about 30′ apart. Distance would increase if older kids were to play.

I give the ball to one person in each station but the baserunner doesn’t know who has the ball.  Each baseman is on a cone with the baserunner in the middle.

The object is for the baserunner to reach a cone without being tagged.  The baseman will run after the runner and act like he has the ball even if he doesn’t.

If the runner goes in the direction of the baseman with the ball he’ll tag him out.

If he goes in the opposite direction he’ll throw the ball to the other baseman and hopefully he catches it and tags him out, and of course the pickle starts until the runner either makes it to a cone or is tagged out.

All teams that tag out the runner stay on the field until the only one team remains.

1st Base Speed Drill

• Two runners at home plate
• At the crack of the coaches bat they run full speed to first base (racing).
• One goes through the base.
• The other turns towards 2nd.

This drill develops the speed it takes to get though 1st base & turn towards 2nd. There should be little change in speed (no slowing down before getting to base). The degree of getting on 1st is literally fractions of a second.

Crossfire
Another speed drill for throwing hard and accurately on the infield

4 lines of players on 1st, 2nd, SS, & 3rd.
Two coaches hitting (or throwing) ball from home plate.

Coach hits to 3rd where they field the ball and throw “quickly” to 2nd base (playing in the middle between 1st & 2nd) then both players move to back of the line.
Another coach hits to SS where they field the ball and “quickly” to 1st base then both players move to the back of the line.

The key is speed and hard & accurate throws.

Baserunning Drill
Split team up into two even groups, half the team line up at home and the other half at second base. On the whistle a player from each line (home and second) starts running the bases, practicing cutting corners and pumping with arms. Next player can not go until first player makes it back to starting point and tags them.

Drill can run for a certain amount of time or have the kids compete against the opposite line by telling them that if they lap the other line they win.

Kids love the competition and are working on some basic fundamentals too!

Ground Ball Drill

• I have a ground ball drill where I line up 6 players in a row.
• I have another team of 6 players with another coach.
• I use 2 baseballs.
• I roll one ball to the first player and as he is throwing it back to me I release the 2nd ball to the next person.
• As he is throwing it back to me I throw a grounder to the 3rd one in line.

We do this drill as fast as possible with good technique. It’s great for coordination.

End of Practice Relay
Here is how you play:
1. Pick your teams. Try to make it as even as possible.

2. Have 1 team line up at 2nd base, and the other team will be at home plate. Each team will have 1 ball.

3. At “go” team 1 at 2nd base will go from 2nd all the way around the bases back to where they started. Team 2 will start from home plate and run the bases in order.

4. When the runner gets back to their base they have to make a clean hand off and give the ball to the next runner in line.

You have coaches at each base to ensure that the players touch the bases. If they do not touch the base then they have to come back to touch it.

First team that has all players run wins.

Cone Drill

•      Divide your players between short stop, first & third.
•     Short stop & first play in normal positions but the third base stands well back as a back up.
•     Place a cone at third where a runner from second would be sliding.
•     Coach hits a ground ball to short stop where they field & hold an imaginary runner on second then play first to get the out.
•     First then tries to hit the cone placed at third.

This simulates the runner on second (that was held up by the short stop initially) going to third on the throw & sliding into the base. The players at third base act as a back up to the throw & all players are constantly rotating position in a clock wise manner.

This drill creates great excitement in trying to hit the cone & the coach can even offer a prize for anyone who is successful.

It can also be used with a ground ball hit to third who plays second & second tries to hit a cone placed at home. Great overall conditioning and training drill.  Give it a try!

Runner Bucket Ball Drill
Equipment:
Infield area with bases and a bucket or bag of balls and helmets for the runners.

Setup:
All infield positions are used except for the pitcher.

Execution:
This is a team drill where you’ll split your team into two groups. One group will play defense and one group will run the bases.

Start with a player at each position, except second base and pitcher. Empty the balls near home plate and count them before the drill starts or keep track of errors. Place the bucket in foul territory next to 3rd base. Have runners at home, 1st base, and 3rd.

* Start the drill by hitting a ground ball to the shortstop and have him throw to 1st. Runner at home and 1st will run on contact. Runner at 3rd will hold until the ball is thrown to 1st and then will break for home. 1st baseman will then throw to the catcher who will attempt to tag the runner going home.
The runner who started at 1st will always attempt to make it to 3rd base. Catcher will throw it to 3rd and the 3rd baseman will attempt a tag on the runner and then put the ball in the bucket.
* Keep track of any errors that occur or don’t place the ball in the bucket. The goal is to make it through the drill without any errors.
* If you have two players at each position you can have two teams and compete between the teams.

Coaching Notes:
* Like all the drills this can be adjusted for the level of the team and what you’d like to work on. For example if you are rotating players with a younger team you may have the ground balls go to the second baseman so the initial throw is shorter.

* Make sure your baserunners are helping the drill by not leaving too early. You want to simulate game type of situations and you can’t do that if the runner from home is leaving before contact. One way to prevent this is to have the runner at home turn his back and run when he hears the ball being hit.

Warm Up Practice Drill
We concentrate on the basics first, specifically things like running ALL THE WAY THROUGH first base. I watch for subtle things about their turns, their footwork, etc. If you practice Good Habits, they will be second nature when game time comes.

From there we move into game situations. We will practice 2 from my master list, until everyone understands and can execute it.

The next practice, we do the basics again, review the 2 from the last practice and then take a new one and work on that.

Base running is often times overlooked in lieu of other aspects of the game, but many times it is what wins or loses ballgames. By adding it into this spot in my practice schedule it not only ensures that we have reviewed and worked at them, but it stresses the importance of it to every player–as they know it is a priority.