Keep Your Defense Hopping with These Fielding Drills

Fielding short hops is part of every infielder's job, and it's not easy.

These drills are intended to improve your hand quickness and your fielding abilities.

For each drill, stand 20-30 feet away from another player. Keep your feet stationary.

In each drill, throw 25 balls to your partner. Completing the complete set of drills provides you with the opportunity to field 150 balls in 10 minutes. Perform these drills five or six times a week to greatly improve your fielding abilities.

Direct Short Hop
• With your glove on your fielding hand, spread your feet shoulder-width apart with your knees bent and your hands in front of you on the ground.
• Throw short hops to your partner, making sure to catch each thrown ball with two hands.

Forehand Short Hop
• Turn to your forehand side with your front foot turned about six inches from parallel to your back foot. This will allow for easier throws and balance when catching the short hops.
• Position your glove on the ground near your back foot.
• Throw short hops to your partner’s forehand side, and use only one hand to catch each ball. This simulates running to your forehand side and having to reach for the ball.

Backhand Short Hop
• Turn to your backhand side with your front foot turned about six inches from parallel to your back foot. This will allow for easier throws and balance when catching the short hops.
• Position your glove on the ground near your front foot.
• Throw short hops to your partner’s backhand side, and use only one hand to catch each ball. This simulates running to your backhand side and having to reach for the ball.

For tools to help with these fielding drills, look for Rawlings' 5-Tool Training Program items including the Reaction Ball, designed to bounce erratically. Rawlings has partnered with Ripken Baseball to produce the 5-Tool Training line.

Visit RawlingsGear.com or contact a Rawlings Gear Customer Care representative at (866) 678-GEAR(4327) for information on tools to conduct fielding drills.