Tom O’Connell International Sports Group 2012 EBCA Convention Mulhouse, France

The Infield Toolbox: Fundamentals DYNAMIC: marked by usually continuous and productive activity or change As in every other aspect of baseball – less emphasis on mechanics More emphasis on “athleticism” My Dad always told me…”If you want to do a job right…”

The Right Tools Starts with “The Four Rs”…+1 Relax Ready Receive Release Rhythm

Relax scan the infield review the situation take deep breaths adjust their position “hands on knees” is OK

…Anticipate Use the Tactical Triangle: Tactics are decisions players make to use various technical skills in certain situations; plays they use; where they position themselves.

How to Apply the Tactical Triangle Where are the runners? How many outs? Where should the infield be positioned? What’s the count? What’s his best pitch in this count? How fast is the runner? COMMUNICATE I WANT THE BALL!

SS 1B 2B 3B P C ѣ Positioning RHB/LHB

SS 1B 2B 3B P C ѣ Positioning DP Я 2 steps up; 2 steps over

Ready basic athletic position ready to move in any direction upright knees flexed weight positioned on front part of feet slightly bent at the waist glove in front of body head facing home plate focused

Circle of Focus Step in Think….Play Same as batter’s box Expect the ball Count the Bounce

Ready angled correctly Moving from Relaxed to Ready simple two steps toward home plate right – left/ one-two option: lean weight forward

Rhythm…the 5 th “R” Gets back to being athletic Must be some movement

Footwork No contact; return to relax Contact: approach glove shoulder to the right of the ball “break down” when the ball is 5 meters away HOW? step toward ball with right foot

Footwork lower body step outside ball with left foot and center body on ball First two steps hard Rhythm, rhythm, rhythm Note: the word charge isn’t used here

Receive Arms extend toward ball back of the glove turned to ground throwing hand positioned above the glove feet – twice the width of shoulders toe of right foot even with instep of left foot Toes forward on in – not out knees bent buttocks down back flat head looking at ball hands extended Short Hop big hop, hustle

Rhythm Head/eyes on the ball Put your NOSE on the ball.

Nose on the Ball Omar Vizquel

Release first, transition from receiving position done with the feet: another right-left Methods: Funnel Hinge Grip Mantra of baseball for years: right left field/right left throw

Time and Distance Keep Moving Gain Ground Head over toes Deflect the ball Move to the ball and through the ball Set Glove in the box Pitching Don’t throw the ball from where it was fielded Balance is key

Move Through the Ball Finish!

Jose Reyes Finishing

Tool Box Drills  Short hop  Crossover pick  Forehand Rake  Over Step – open  Backhand Rake  Pick and Stick  Both stationary and 2 step  One Hand Moving in  Medium speed ball  Moving pick  High Bounce  2 Hand Deflect  Slow roller

Backhand Rake…Eric Chavez

Tool Box Goals Prepare infielders for 4 seconds Kaizan

Backhand Rake in Rhythm

Final Thought What you allow… You encourage! Gary Henderson, Univ. of Kentucky

Games/Drills Cal State Northridge Bounce Drill Garth Iorg Footwork Drills Backhand Force with cones Spin and Fire (2B) Two Knee Fungoes Dive Drills Through the Line Triangles

Dailies Stage 1: Fielder uses bare hand. Keep throwing hand behind back. Emphasize back of glove hand on ground, fielding “under” the ball, lifting fingers. Stage 2: Use both hands. (no glove) Emphasize fielding with throwing hand above glove hand. (Whiffle balls or softer balls may be used for these two stages) Stage 3: Same as stage 2 except fielder now uses his glove. Stage 4: Assume back hand position; emphasize throwing side leg forward, chest over thigh, giving with the ball. Stage 5: Same as stage 4, but in fore hand fielding position. Stage 6: Basic fielding position; field ball and quickly move into throwing position (right-left field, right-left throw) but freeze in throwing position; return ball to feeder. Stage 7: Player assumes basic fielding position; feeder bounces balls to fielder so that fielder must field the ball on the “short” hop (see p. ?, Chapter 4); move into throwing position and freeze. Stage 8: “Impossible” balls. Feeder challenges Fielder with balls almost out of his range, left and right. Emphasize making fielder hustle and almost have to dive to get ball. Stage 9: Slow Roller pick-up drill. (See Figure 6.2 below) Fielder places a ball one foot in front of his throwing leg. Fielder bends down to pick up ball while lifting glove leg to waist height. From this position, fielder picks up ball and tosses ball under his chest to partner 20’ away without moving feet. Stage 10: Triangles. Infielders divide into three groups: one group (line 1) at third base, one group (line 2) in a direct line from 1 st to 3 rd, but stationed 5’ to the 1 st base side of the pitcher’s mound; and a third group (line 3) forming the third leg of the triangle about 20’ from home plate. See Fig Coach stands at third leg and throws balls to first fielder in the group at third base; fielder fields the ball, uses good foot work, throws to the first person in line 2, and then follows the ball to become the last person in line 2; the fielder from line 2 relays the ball to the last person in line 3 and also follows the ball. Coach receives ball from first person in line 3 (who also follows the ball) and throws it to the next fielder in line 1 and action is repeated. Coach can throw to forehand, backhand side; slow rollers, challenging balls, etc.

S 1B 2B 3B P C RF CF LF Я Я Я ѣ Working Slide