Today's Drill: Around The Horn

Purpose: Accurate throws by infielders.

Set-Up: Put players at catcher, first base, second base and third base. There can be more than one player at each position.

The Drill: The catcher begins by throwing to third. The third baseman catches the throw, sets his feet and throws to second. The second baseman sets his feet and throws to first. The first baseman sets his feet and throws to the catcher.

Coaches' Corner: So much of playing infield is simply playing catch well. This drill emphasizes accurate throws. Make it a contest by counting how many throws are made before one hits the ground.

Today's Drill: Short-Hop

Purpose: To help infielders catch short shops in proper fielding position with their glove out in front.

Set-Up: Divide players into pairs and have them stand about 10 feet from one another, facing their partner.

The Drill: Players toss one-hoppers to their partners like they are skipping rocks over water. The throw should bounce just in front of the tip of the triangle where the ball should be fielded. The fielder catches the short hop, freezes for a moment to check his or her fundamentals, then repeats the drill to the partner.

Coaches' Corner: Emphasize catching the ball out in front, so the glove can give with elbow flexion, creating soft hands. Many players tend to recoil their gloves up and into their lower stomach before making the catch. This makes for hard hands. The throwing hand should be near the glove.