Coach-pitch batting

Setup

1. Set home and first base at your league's coach-pitch distance (check your league's field dimensions; many use 50–60 ft bases).
2. The coach pitches from 8–10 m in front of home, standing behind an L-screen and pitching around its open side.
3. Use a backstop behind home or leave the catcher position empty. If a player catches, they wear full catcher's gear.
4. The next batter waits with a helmet on behind a cone well away from the plate, with no bat. Fielders wear gloves and stand in the infield and shallow outfield.

How it runs

1. The batter sets up beside the plate, a bat's length away, in a balanced stance.
2. The coach pitches easy, firm strikes: overarm and on a gentle line, or underarm for the youngest. The batter swings at strikes and lets the rest go.
3. On contact, the batter drops the bat beside the plate (never throws it) and runs hard through first base.
4. Fielders play the ball and throw to first. The coach doesn't count outs: each batter gets about five pitches or one ball in play.
5. The batter jogs out to a fielding spot, a fielder comes in to bat and the next batter walks to the plate when the coach calls.

Coaching points

• Watch the ball from the coach's hand; see it all the way to the bat.
• Small load as the coach's arm goes back; step and swing as the ball comes.
• Swing level through the ball and finish high.
• Drop the bat, don't fling it: open the hands and let it fall as the first step is taken.
• Run hard through first base, touch the front of it, and slow down past it in foul ground.
• Coach: pitch to the batter's hands-and-belt zone; a good batting practice pitch is meant to be hit.

Common mistakes

• Stepping away from the plate (“stepping in the bucket”).
• Starting the swing late because the load starts late.
• Throwing the bat after contact.
• Watching the ball after hitting it instead of running.
• Slowing down before first base or jumping onto it.
• Fielders standing too close to the batter or in front of the coach.