Pitchers Fielding Practice (PFP) is essential for the success of a young switch pitcher. A good pitcher will field a ground ball for an out each inning, if they are prepared to make the play. In games, fielding should feel natural without much thought. Fielding takes regular focused practice.
Here are some basic fielding drills that every pitcher should practice.
Time required: ten minutes a session, twice a week.
Ground Balls
If you throw low and away, then you should get a lot of ground ball hits. Practice fielding ground balls to either side. Charge the slow rollers and get a good angle so you can make an easy throw to first base.
If the ball is out of reach for making a good stop then let it go to your fielders rather than deflect the ball off of your glove. Deflected balls often end with a runner on first base.
Pop-ups
Call pop ups within easy reach. Let your skilled infielders make the catches past the pitching rubber. Avoid deflecting the ball out of reach, as this can mess up a play by the shortstop.
Bunts
Coaches can softly toss the ball from behind the plate to simulate a bunt.
Charge the slow rolling bunt up the middle. Call - "Ball, Ball" to claim the bunt. Scoop the ball with your glove and hand then make a clean transfer to a four-seam grip. Take your time to plant your back foot and make a good throw to first base.
Cover first base when the ball is bunted hard up the first base line. The first baseman will field to bunt and make a clean throw to the pitcher covering the bag.
Come-backers with nobody on base
Field the comebacker, get a four-seam grip, set your feet and make a sharp chest-high throw to the first baseman. Take you time and step into the throw. The ball travels a lot faster than the runner so you have plenty of time to make a good throw. Practice with a fast player running too see how much time you have to make the play. See if you can still make the play if you bobble the ball.
A throw over the top while moving toward the target works well. Don't try to pitch the ball to first base and avoid the two-seam sidearm throw.
Come-backers with the bases loaded
Throw the ball quickly to the catcher, chest-high right over the plate. This gives the catcher time to start the double play.
Baseball Fielding Practice Is For Pitchers Too! by Larry Cicchiello
Pitcher Fielding - How Good Are You? by Ryan Sienko
Pitching Practice by Bob Byrd
Here are some basic fielding drills that every pitcher should practice.
Time required: ten minutes a session, twice a week.
Ground Balls
If you throw low and away, then you should get a lot of ground ball hits. Practice fielding ground balls to either side. Charge the slow rollers and get a good angle so you can make an easy throw to first base.
If the ball is out of reach for making a good stop then let it go to your fielders rather than deflect the ball off of your glove. Deflected balls often end with a runner on first base.
Pop-ups
Call pop ups within easy reach. Let your skilled infielders make the catches past the pitching rubber. Avoid deflecting the ball out of reach, as this can mess up a play by the shortstop.
Bunts
Coaches can softly toss the ball from behind the plate to simulate a bunt.
Charge the slow rolling bunt up the middle. Call - "Ball, Ball" to claim the bunt. Scoop the ball with your glove and hand then make a clean transfer to a four-seam grip. Take your time to plant your back foot and make a good throw to first base.
Cover first base when the ball is bunted hard up the first base line. The first baseman will field to bunt and make a clean throw to the pitcher covering the bag.
Come-backers with nobody on base
Field the comebacker, get a four-seam grip, set your feet and make a sharp chest-high throw to the first baseman. Take you time and step into the throw. The ball travels a lot faster than the runner so you have plenty of time to make a good throw. Practice with a fast player running too see how much time you have to make the play. See if you can still make the play if you bobble the ball.
A throw over the top while moving toward the target works well. Don't try to pitch the ball to first base and avoid the two-seam sidearm throw.
Come-backers with the bases loaded
Throw the ball quickly to the catcher, chest-high right over the plate. This gives the catcher time to start the double play.
Baseball Fielding Practice Is For Pitchers Too! by Larry Cicchiello
Pitcher Fielding - How Good Are You? by Ryan Sienko
Pitching Practice by Bob Byrd
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