Physical Fitness for Life

*Don’t spend too much time on drills as they need to play for at least 20-30 minutes. 

Warm up –  have your group run to a point you designate, then stretch, take roll. 

Goal for Session 1 - Catching, Batting, running the bases. 

Skill development: 

I. Discuss components of the Glove 

Have your students line up shoulder to shoulder and go over the components of the glove. Explain placing fingers in the glove slots (right hand goes on left hand, etc.) All fingers go into the glove except the index finger. Explain that this will expand the glove and pocket to catch the ball. You can let them know they can either leave the finger out or in, whatever is comfortable.

Explain the web of the glove and how it forms a pocket. The web adds dimension to the glove when fielding and catching the ball. 

**If you have large groups at your various park locations and do not have enough gloves for the drills - you can demo how the glove is placed on the hand and demo fielding. When you breakout the teams, the team that is in the outfield can practice fielding to each other while you get the batters in order. 

II. How to Catch the Ball 

With the arms extended away from the body, have the glove open to receive a high ball (thumb facing in). To catch a ball coming across the body, take the glove hand turn it over towards the direction of the ball (thumb should be facing down). To catch a low ball turn glove over (thumb facing out). With the younger groups you can play Simon Says moving the glove to the proper place. 

Drill: Skip this drill if you have more than 15 students in your group or not enough gloves. Pair up the group and have them throw a softball ball back and forth to each Other - first with high, across the body, then low. 

Younger group – coaches will throw ball to students first – if you have time, you can pair them up and have them throw the plastic whiffle balls. 

III. Fielding the Ball - Pepper Drill 

Drill: Skip this drill if you have more than 15 students in your group or not enough gloves. Just give them the explanation. Depending on size of class you can either place students in a circle (10 feet wide, 6 students approx.) or pair them up. Students are to bend at the knees and rapidly roll the softball back and forth to each other; fielding the ball with their glove. 

Discuss the “alligator technique” with open glove (bottom of glove on ground with the upper hand over the glove is the jaw). 

IV. Go quickly over the positions on the field. 

Drill: Have all players run the bases. To do the relay run - divide the group into two teams, put one team at home base and the other on 2nd base. Whoever wins, bats first. 

Quick Batting Tips - do this in a group setting first so they have a basic understanding before they each come up to bat. Show placement of hands, choking up, and what the tip and barrel of the bat is. Right elbow up, with tip of bat pointed up. Don’t let the bat rest on the shoulder. Tell them not to run with the bat or throw the bat after they hit. 

Divide the team and play a game. Do a Shot Gun format. Change teams after everyone bats on a team). Instructor will pitch. ALL STUDENTS MUST WEAR A HELMET POSITIONS 

There are 9 players on a baseball field: 

Core Positions 

1. Pitcher. The pitcher's job is to throw the ball over to the plate in a way that it is difficult for the batter to hit. A pitcher should be able to throw fast  pitches, but velocity is less important than control (the ability to throw strikes consistently and not issue a lot of bases on balls). A pitcher should be tough, smart, and keep his or her composure under pressure (such as throw strikes behind in the count or when there are people on base). The pitcher is the fifth infielder and needs to field his or her position on bunts, grounders, and pop ups, and back up the catcher on plays at the plate. Pitchers are often the best all-around athletes on the team. 

2. Catcher. Generally the team leader since he or she is the only player facing his or teammates. The catcher handles the pitcher, keeps track of balls and strikes (the count), reminds the other players about the number of outs, sets the defense, and backs up 1st base on every infield play. Catchers are usually the most rugged and quickest thinking players on the team. Once base stealing is permitted, a catcher should have a good throwing arm and the ability to get rid of the ball very quickly. 

Infield players 

Infielders must be able to react quickly toward a hit ball, and have good hand-eye coordination skills. Shortstops and third basemen should have good throwing arms, since they need to make longer throws to first. Playing the infield positions (other than first base) is easiest for right-handed players, since they do not have to turn as far to throw the ball to first. 

1. First base. The perfect place for a left-handed player who can catch the ball well, even when, as is often the case in youth baseball, it is thrown over his head, bounced in the dirt, or off line. Strength and size (particularly height) are important; a strong throwing arm is not. A first baseman needs to be able to concentrate, as he will potentially be involved in nearly every play. 

2. Second base. Size and stature are of little importance. Speed, quickness  and good fielding ability are. A second baseman needs to know what to do  when there are runners on base (such as to know that, if the ball is hit to him with a runner on first, to touch second base, or tag the runner, and then throw to first. 

3. Shortstop. This player has more ground to cover than any other player does and must be fast, quick, agile and have a strong throwing arm. The shortstop will potentially field more ground balls, in more off-balance positions, than any other player. Like the second baseman, the shortstop needs to be to think ahead. 

4. Third Base. This player should be able to charge the ball on bunts and slow grounders, and field the ball barehanded, and be able to move side to side quickly on balls hit hard down the line or to his left in the hole between third and short. Because the third baseman has the longest throw of all the infielders, he should have a good arm. 

Outfielders 

Outfielders must cover a lot of ground, so speed and quickness to react to the ball are important. They must be able to catch fly balls above their head and on the run and throw the ball a long distance and accurately. Younger players may find it difficult to concentrate on the game, since balls are not hit to the outfield as often as to the infield. Therefore, players need to be taught to get into the "ready" position (on the balls of their feet, in a slight crouch) before every pitch. 

1. Right Fielder. Needs to be able to think-ahead. This player backs up first base on all throws from the catcher and all bunted balls, since the catcher  must be available for fielding the ball. They backup second on any ball thrown from the left of the diamond. I.e. shortstop, third base or foul  territory. 

2. Center Fielder. This will be the player that has the best combination of  speed and throwing distance. Like shortstop, they cover more 'grass' than  any other player and, most likely, will catch the most fly balls. They must  backup second on all bunts and throws from the catcher. 

3. Left Fielder. Of all outfield positions, this player can have the weakest 

arm, as they do not generally throw the ball as far. They still require good  fielding and catching skills and backup third on pick-off attempts from the  catcher or pitcher.