Purpose

This fielding drill is designed to teach players how to judge pop-ups and the proper way of letting every one know that you are going to “call” it.   It teaches players to judge pop-ups, take control of a fly ball, as well as avoid collisions with other fielders.

Execution

  1. Have the whole team gather around the coach in a loose group – stretching their arms out so that they are at least arms length away from all the other players.
  2. Randomly throw the ball up in the air.
  3. Players then have to decide if it is one that they can catch and then “call for it”.
  4. The first player to 10 points get to sit down.
  5. This continues with the coach alternating where the ball is thrown, until everyone has reached 10 points.
  6. The player who finishes last has to run the bases while the rest of the team cheers loudly for him, and some times even chase him around the bases.

Coaching Tips

  • Players are awarded points for “calling” for the ball loudly, making the catch or stepping back to allow someone else who has called the ball to make the catch.
  • Kids love this-especially the ritual of chasing the last one around the bases!