By: Erik Wetzel

Getting StartedRun around the field

Get the muscles warmLoosen up

StretchPrevents InjuryWarms up the bodyGet the mind ready to play.

Time for Some Ground Balls!Games are won and

lost on defenseCatching ground

balls are key to successful defense

Bunt DefenseImportant aspect of

defense

PFP’s… Fun StuffPFP stands for pitcher’s fielding plays. This is where the pitchers practice defending bunts and come backers. Come backers are defined as balls that are hit quickly directly at the pitcher. These are quite tough to catch so they need a lot of practice. This is also where the team works on communication as communication is important for successful defense.

Now the Fun Starts… Hitting

Batting PracticeBatting Practice is a coordinated “well oiled

machine” so to speak.The key to a good batting practice is

everybody being where they are supposed to be.

There are a lot of different jobs that are performed for this to run smoothly.

Batting PracticeThere are three groups in batting practice

One group hitting One group playing defense One group warming up in the cages

Pitchers shag balls in the outfield and get them back to the BP pitcher

Cage GroupWarm up off the teesTake some soft tossPitch to each otherHit off of the

machinesWork on drills

Defense GroupDefense group is pretty simple. Practice more ground balls and fly balls while making sure not to get hit by any batted balls from the live group. This last tip is very important.

Live GroupThis is where the

coordination takes place

There is a hitter and about three other hitters who run the bases when not hitting

When the hitter bunts the next hitter picks it up and gives it to the BP pitcher

Each hitter takes four rounds of about five swings

Base runners work on getting jumps, leads and reads from hit balls.

They also need to make sure they do not get hit by any balls

Base RunningAt the end of

practice for a good warm down

Work on rounding the bases

Work on getting as efficient as possible around the bases

Work on getting good jumps

End of PracticeGet some light

instructionAny questions about

the dayTime to loosen up

and have a good time