Fielding Mechanics

by coach

Which is the better way to field ground balls in infield? Moving glove out to ball or pulling ball to chest? For balls that have stopped moving in the infield, should the ss or 3rd pick up between the feet or on outside of throwing side foot

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Fielding Drills
by: Dan

Thank you for your two part question.

Pulling the ball up to the chest is the way I teach it when it comes to moving balls hit to fielders.

As far as balls that have stopped moving, like bunts or topped grounders, the fielder should use her bare hand to pick it up. Scooping motion is best, but, in any case, use the bare hand throwing hand outside the throwing side foot. Between the legs would result in a lot of wasted motion. Using a glove for a ball that has stopped rolling will invaribaly cause lost of time at minimum and likely a bobble by the glove.

Hope this helps.

Dan

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Push stopped ball into dirt
by: Harold

We coach the girls to barehand a "stopped" grounder, twisting the ball into the dirt to get a sure grip and avoid bobbling the ball.

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Dead balls
by: Dan

Harold,

I agree with you on the balls tat have stopped rolling. No need to use a glove. That only makes the play harder because now you have to scoop up the ball with the glove and transfer to the throwing hand. With a ball that has stopped rolling, we teach the girls to pick it up with their throwing hand. I like your idea of twisting it to ensure the girls have a good grip. Gloves are used to protect the hands from fast moving balls so that the player does not get hurt. If the ball isn't moving, there is no need to protect the hands. Just go grab it and throw.

Dan

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