1st & 3rd Offensive Plays
Goal: Understanding basic knowledge of the 1st and 3rd offensive plays.
Process: Teach what you want done at each base. Explain what & how you want it done--early breaks/late breaks. Do one base at a time, then do a dry run without a defense, and then do it live. Talk-demonstrate-practice.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Live Reads at 2nd Base
Goal: Live reaction on batted ball with runner at 2nd base only
Process: Need 3B, SS, 2B, & P. Put runners at 2nd. Pitcher throws ball to plate. Runner at 2nd gets secondary lead, and then reacts to batted ball (fungo). Runner reads: the batted ball, at you or behind you; slow roller to 3b in front; line drive in front vs line drive up middle this drill puts the most pressure on the baserunner for proper reaction. Use two or three runners.
Time: 10 minutes
Batting Practice Baserunning
Goal: Live reaction to batted ball.
Process: Teach what you want done at each base (leads & jumps) before you get into bp. Dont just tell kids to go get your bases. (We put a protective screen down 3b line.) If infielders are taking ground balls, have runners get behind the infielders. Have runners (1 or 2) at each base when bp starts, the move to the next base when the hitter leaves the plate. There should not be more than two hitters in the on deck area. (Make sure players get the bunt lead and live reaction to the bunt.)
Controlled Scrimmage (Three or more innings)
Goal: Live baserunning for baserunners, pitchers and defense.
Process: Begin a controlled scrimmage with a runner(s) on base(s). 1st inning runner on 1st base; 2nd inning runners on 1st & 2nd base; 3rd inning runners on 1st & 3rd and/or load them up. This drill can be explained before you start the scrimmage, then players know what to do when they come off the field.
Controlled Scrimmage (Stealing 2nd base)
Goal: Stealing 2nd base for both pitcher, catcher & baserunners
Process: Load bases. Put two or three baserunners at 1b. The defense is only concerned with the runner at 1B. Pitcher works on pick offs. Catcher works on release. Runners at 1B are working on stealing 2B. Hitters are live. The runners on 2nd & 3rd are just getting leads & reacting to a batted ball. This keeps more players involved.
(Note: this looks crazy if someone just walks up and watches practice)
Controlled Scrimmage (1st & 3rd hit & run)
Goal: Runner at 1B must learn to get a good jump, but not get picked off.
Process: Runners 1st & 3rd. Hit & run is on. Pitcher can use picks or the corners move. Runner at 1B must learn to read this. Play baseball. Runners work on jumps to home on the throw to 2B; or both players react to batted ball.