This is a drill we use all season. It is great for early in the season since it is done indoors and weather often makes this our only alternative. The players love it and the improvement in fielding speaks for itself.
4 in 1 Indoor Outfield Drill
Needed: baseballs, instant screen or sock net, two cones
Area: Full length basketball court
(If you are timing the players start the clock on their first movement)
Step 1
At one end of the court the player squares up to the coach then opens at a 45 degree angle and runs full speed to catch the ball thrown by the coach at cone # 1. The player then gets in his legs, squares his shoulders to the target, takes a rhythm step and throws to the screen.
Step 2
From that point the player drops steps straight back and peeks over his shoulder at cone # 2 to pick up the trajectory of the ball. He then works to get two steps behind it, makes the catch at about his throwing shoulder, takes a rhythm step and throws to the target.
Step 3
When the player is throwing in step two a coach will throw a ball against the far wall (if padded) or a mat placed at the far wall. The player will field that ball as if it were an extra base hit that makes it to the fence. The player will center the ball to his body, pick it up with his bare hand and without a rhythm step throw to the target. (quickness over velocity.)
Step 4
The coach will roll a ground ball that the player will field as a “do or die” play. He will field the ball cleanly, rhythm step and throw to the target. When the ball hits the target the clock stops.
(Note: Add one second for each drop, bobble and throw that misses the target. Subtract one second for every throw that hits the strike zone on the screen.)