Things You'll Need:
- Baseball Caps/hats
- Baseball Bats
- Baseball Batting Gloves
- Baseball Cleats
- Baseball Equipment Bags
- Baseball Fielding Gloves
- Baseball First Baseman Mitts
- Baseball Glove Conditioner Creams
- Baseball Helmets
- Baseball Scoresheets
- Baseballs
- Baseballs
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Step 1
Position yourself for the hitter and the situation. You may be asked to shift for a left-handed hitter, play closer to home plate to cut off a run, or set yourself up for a possible double play.
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Step 2
Check the sign shown by the catcher and make appropriate adjustments. For example, you can expect certain right-handed batters to hit an outside fastball to right field.
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Step 3
Be prepared as the pitcher begins the windup. Spread your feet slightly, crouch down and put your hands on your knees.
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Step 4
Lean forward slightly as the pitcher is ready to pitch, and extend your glove in front of you with the glove's pocket-side facing up. Keep your glove at or below knee level.
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Step 5
Keep your eye on the ball as the pitch is delivered. Stay close to the ground, which will help you move quickly in any direction. Try to stay in front of sharply hit ground balls.
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Step 6
Charge a slowly hit grounder by running toward the ball.
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Step 7
When scooping up the ball, try to keep your body perpendicular to the path of the ball.
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Step 8
Spread your legs enough to be well-balanced, but not enough to leave a large gap between your hands and legs.
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Step 9
Bend down to reach the ball and use both hands to scoop it up toward the middle of your body. If you are unable to catch the ball, block it or knock it down to the ground.
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Step 10
Put your glove flat on the ground if the ball is a "grass cutter" (one that doesn't bounce at all), and use your throwing hand to keep the ball from rolling up your fielding arm.
Comments
cmfields21 said
on 5/26/2009 This is a good article, nice information.
Anonymous said
on 8/8/2006 ive been playing baseball for quite a while and i have always found the most important part of fielding is to always stay in front of the ball. Because that way if the ball takes a mad hop it will generally hit you and you still have a good chance to make a play.
Anonymous said
on 8/8/2006 If a person wants to be the best fielder, then they need to want the ball to be hit to them in all situations of the game and have the confidence and determination to complete the play.
Anonymous said
on 8/8/2006 I am a shortstop for a varsity high school baseball team, and I was always taught to keep my head down on the ball and to charge it with all get-out. My favorite saying is that one has a face to block baseballs with, and if you are too afraid to do that, move to the outfield. When you charge the ball, after you catch it, keep your momentum toward first base,and plant your feet and throw.
When turning a double play, make sure your teammate can see the ball, because the distance between you is shorter, and they have a shorter time to react. If you are within 5 feet, you can flip it, but otherwise - never! If you are the one receiving the ball, make sure you catch it with two hands, and never catch the ball on the back of your glove to try to be fancy! There is no reason for this play, and 9 times out of 10, you will drop it anyway. Glide your foot across the bag and step out of the way of the runner and throw to first. If you don't get out of the way, you will probably get spiked (and believe me, it hurts)!
Follow these steps and you will be a solid infield player at second, short, or third.
Anonymous said
on 6/30/2006 Almost every contributor talks about the importance of staying in front of the ball. That is a legitimate point and valid technique. But remember this; in America we stress staying in front of the ball, in the Latin countries they teach catching the ball. Look around the Major Leagues and see which players dominate the infield - Latinos. Stay in front of the ball, but put emphasis on aggressive glove work.