Outfield and Baserunning Pat Berger Hopkins Royals Baseball Head Coach

Outfielders Teach them that the game is played in the infield. Nothing behind you but a fence! Priorities. First step back. Catch with your elbow down. Teach hitting the cutoff man.

Outfielders Continued Drills to practice “W” drill. Point and run drill. Laying on stomach. Teaching when to dive. Ground balls- knee down.

Baserunning Practice baserunning at every practice! Baserunning can win and lose games. Practice game situations. Have a routine that you do at practice and at games. Fastest player isn’t always the best baserunner!

Baserunning Running to first: Infield ground ball Three steps and find the ball. Straight line aiming for front of the base. Run through the base and break down. Look to screen.

Baserunning Running to first: Hit to the outfield. Arc towards dugout and aim for the front corner of the base. Take three-five hard strides towards second (depending on where ball is hit). Create urgency!

Basrunning From first base. Lead offs, secondary leads, and stealing. Teach kids to watch the pitcher! Correct lead off. Always be in control. When not stealing, shuffle shuffle and react. When stealing, three hard steps and look in. Read Dirt!

Baserunning From second base. Lead off, secondary lead and stealing. Same secondary as first. When stealing, need to be moving! Straight off of the base when less than two outs. Two outs, back up to get an angle.

Baserunning From third base. Lead off in foul territory, go back to the base in fair. Reacting to passed ball. Tagging up is the player’s responsibility!

Baserunning Drills Running to first (Coach with baseball) Lead off from first with pitcher pretending to go home or picking off at first. Pitcher throwing in the dirt. Same drill from second- teach how to read moves. Tag up drill at third with coach being outfielder.

Baserunning Teach players how to slide. Slide at every base except first. Teach feet first slide.