Comebackers and the pitcher covering first

Setup

1. Pitchers line up behind the mound, with a first baser and a second baser in position. Spare pitchers wait well behind the mound, not beside the first-base line.
2. The coach hits from beside home plate; a catcher in a helmet and mask stands behind the coach to take throws in.
3. A batter-runner in a helmet waits beside the plate, clear of the coach's swing, and runs on each hit once the routes are learned.
4. Pitchers mime the delivery without a ball, so the drill doesn't add pitches to their week. Start with reduced-injury balls for comebackers.

How it runs

1. The pitcher mimes a full delivery to the plate and finishes square to the hitter, glove up, in a fielding position.
2. As the delivery finishes, the coach hits a ground ball to the first baser's right. The pitcher breaks straight away towards a spot on the first-base line about three or four metres short of the base.
3. The pitcher turns and runs up the inside of the line towards the base. The first baser fields and tosses underhand, chest-high, early enough for the pitcher to catch it a few steps before the base.
4. The pitcher catches, touches the infield side of the base with the right foot and turns towards the infield, away from the batter-runner running through.
5. Mix in comebackers: the coach hits a firm ground ball back at the pitcher, who fields it, steps towards first and throws to the first baser on the base. Five reps each, then the next pitcher.

Coaching points

• Every pitch ends in a fielding position: feet square, knees bent, glove up in front of the face. This is the pitcher's best protection against a line drive.
• Any ball hit to the left of the pitcher means 'go to first' straight away. Break first, then look for the ball.
• Run a curved route: to the line first, then up the line to the base. Running straight at the base puts the pitcher in the runner's path.
• First baser: field it, then toss early with a stiff wrist so the pitcher catches it before reaching the base.
• Touch the infield side of the base, then turn into the infield. Never stop on the base.
• Comebacker: field it, take a moment, step to the target and throw firmly. There's plenty of time, so don't rush it.

Common mistakes

• Falling off the mound after the delivery and ending up facing first base, out of fielding position.
• Watching the ball instead of breaking for first.
• Running straight at the base and colliding with the batter-runner.
• Catching the toss on the base, so the pitcher has to stop and reach back for it.
• Throwing a comebacker in a hurry and pulling it past the first baser.