How to Catch and Field a Ground Ball in Baseball

Ground ball defense in baseball is one of the most important aspects of a team's performance. It's not as easy as it looks, however. Ground balls hit on the infield come hard and fast and an infielder needs to know the proper way to field a ball to make a play on it.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Move in toward the ground ball and make an adjustments to the left or right to get yourself in an optimal position to field it. Position your body in front of the ball.

2. Widen your feet, bend your knees and lean your body slightly forward, placing your open glove on the ground, ready to receive the ball. Position yourself to eliminate the possibility of the ball passing between your legs.

3. Watch the ball into your glove and use your throwing hand to guide it. Place your throwing hand, palm facing down, over the glove to keep the ball from taking a hop and bouncing out.

4. Stand up and make sure you have fielded the ball cleanly in your glove and have control of it before you throw. Plant your feet and make an accurate throw.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid fielding the ball on a short hop if you can. A short hop is when the ball bounces up just a few feet in front of you when you're fielding it, causing it to get to you on a high bounce. Watch the bounce of the ball and the distance between bounces and adjust your position accordingly.
• Don't try to backhand the ball unless you absolutely have to. The play may look fancier, but your number one goal in fielding ground balls should be to get your body in front of it.

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