Little League Baseball Practices – Fun Baserunning Drill

Many coaches struggle with little league baseball practices ideas.  Here is a suggestion from Shari that works well.

This is the best baseball drill that I found so far to get my kids to learn to get a good lead off of 1st base.

I have a pitcher, catcher, 1st and 2nd base person.  All of these kids play their position as they normally would.  This gives the pitcher and catcher a good work out and also gives the 1st and 2nd base also work on their position.

One player starts on first and I put a piece of wrapped candy a few feet away from 1st base and once the pitcher pitches they must grab the candy and be able to get back to 1st base before the catcher can throw them out.  I move the candy out farther so that they can see how far they can actually lead off without getting thrown out.  All the kids take turns and the only way they get to keep the candy is if they can grab the candy and dive back to 1st without getting thrown out.

We work on the 2nd base coming around the back also to try to pick off the players.  We also work on if the catcher misses the ball they have to be able to read that also.  This really works good and it doesn’t seem to matter what age the kids are they love the competition and the candy.

Baseball Bunting Drill – Mad Tomato Drill

Take a look at this submission from Bobby. A great example of a baseball bunting drill that can work with all age groups.

From Bobby…
The Mad Tomato Drill
This baseball drill teaches placement of bunts and slaps.

I draw alleys on the left and right side of the pitchers mound starting at home plate (using the foul lines as the inbounds marks)-

and then divide the right and left alleys into zone 1 and 2 related to the points they are worth if the ball lands in these zones.
There is 1 additional zone in front of home plate about 3 feet in front and extends about 7 feet toward the pitcher – worth 2 points.
Just in front of the pitcher- I draw a big circle (approximately 8 feet in diameter)- with a mean face in the middle (the players say

it looks like a mad tomato)- any ball that goes in this zone they loose all their points.

The winner receives an award of some sort. Hope you all have as much fun with this drill as we do.

Baseball Pre Game Drills

This idea for baseball pre game drills was sent in by Peter. Give these a try and hone your baseball team’s hitting skills!

From Rick…
Pre-Game Hitting:
Using a four station approach, effective pre-game batting practice can be completed in about 20 minutes. The stations can be spread

out along a foul line in the outfield. One coach, plus 12 golf ball size and 24 softball size yellow wiffle balls are required.

Divide the team into four groups of three or four players. In each group, the players will rotate from pitcher to catcher to batter

to shagger (if there are only three players in a group, eliminate the catcher). The balls are thrown underhanded from a short

distance (approximately 20 feet). Balls are thrown with speed to simulate the pitches of the game. Little time is given between

pitches so batters’ concentration must be maintained and the drill moves along rapidly.
Station 1— bunting. The 12 golf ball size wiffle balls are used here so that batters must concentrate to be successful. Players are

to execute the various bunts the team employs. Execution is an absolute must here. If a player does not successfully bunt eight out

of 12 pitches, she remains at this station and bunts again. The coach should remain close to this station and see that concentration

is at a maximum.

Station 2 — inside part of the plate. Eight softball size wiffle balls are used. Pitches are thrown to the inside part of the plate.

Hitters using good mechanics and a short compact swing concentrate to locate the contact point in front of the lead shoulder. The

coach should look for a short and soft stride, a closed front side, staying back on the ball and a strong rear foot pivot. It is

essential that the hitters are not pulling off the ball to make contact. Crisp, firm line drives are the goal.

Station 3 — middle third of the plate. Eight softball size wiffle balls are used. Pitches are thrown toward the middle of the plate.

Again, using good mechanics, the goal is to drive the ball back toward the pitcher, toward the middle of the diamond. Stress line

drives or ground balls and not long lazy flies. Hitters concentrate on the contact point, which is closer to the front shoulder than

for the inside pitch.

Station 4 — outside part of the plate. Eight softball size wiffle balls are used. Contact point is now deeper in the strike zone. The

coach should be sure that the batter’s front side stays closed longer and the hitter stays on the ball, that good mechanics are

maintained and she lets the ball get deep into the strike zone. The aim is to hit the ball on a line or on the ground to the opposite

field. To accomplish this, hitters must hit down on the ball. Hitters should aim at the second base position if they are right handed

and the shortstop position if they hit from the left side of the plate.

At least three balls should be grounded to the right side by right handed hitters (a necessary technique to score runs). Concentrate

on the contact point! Keeping the concentration of the players high and moving them rapidly from one station to the other, coaches

can make better use of the 20 minutes for pregame batting practice. Give this method a try. I think you will like it.