Baseball · Throwing · Ground balls

First base: stretch and catch

Infielders field ground balls and throw to first while the first baser practises getting to the bag, finding it with the heel, reading the throw and stretching to catch it.

ready spotCO1B2BSS3B
Start / 4
Time
15 min
Players
4–9
Age
U8+
Area
Infield
Equipment
12 soft baseballs (reduced-injury)1 fungo bat4 bases9 gloves, one per player (a first-base mitt if you have one)1 bucket

Setup

  1. Players at first, second, shortstop and third; extra players queue behind each infield spot, well back.
  2. The coach stands at home with a fungo bat and a bucket, and hits or rolls ground balls.
  3. Use soft balls for players still learning to catch at first. Bases at your league's distance (check your league's field dimensions).
  4. Warm the arms up before throwing across the infield.

How it runs

  1. The first baser starts in a ready position a few steps off the base towards second.
  2. The coach hits a ground ball to shortstop. The first baser sprints to the base and sets up facing the fielder, heels touching the infield side of the base, feet shoulder-width apart.
  3. The shortstop fields and throws to first. The first baser waits until the throw is on its way, then steps towards it with the glove-side foot, keeping the other foot on the base, and stretches to catch.
  4. The first baser throws the ball back to the coach, returns to the ready spot and the coach hits to second base, then third.
  5. Rotate a new player to first base every six balls so everyone learns the position.

Coaching points

  • Get to the bag fast, then turn and give a big target with the glove at the chest.
  • Find the base with the heels, without looking down at it.
  • Don't stretch until the throw is in the air: read it, then step to it.
  • Step with the glove-side foot; the throwing-side foot stays touching the base.
  • Catch first, stretch second. A dropped ball on a long stretch is no out.
  • Throw off line? Come off the base to catch it and stop the ball getting away.

Common mistakes

  • Stretching before the throw is made, so the first baser can't adjust to a bad throw.
  • Standing on top of the base, where a runner could step on the foot in a game.
  • Stepping with the wrong foot and getting tangled.
  • Taking eyes off the ball to look for the base.
  • Fielders throwing before setting the feet.

Say it: “Heels to the bag, read it, stretch, catch.”

Make it harder

  • Short-hop throws: the fielder bounces some throws in front of the base; the first baser scoops them.
  • Add a batter-runner in a helmet who runs from home on contact; the first baser stays on the infield side, out of the runner's path.
  • Time from contact to the catch at first; beat it with no drops.

Make it easier

  • Fielders start with the ball and just throw.
  • Roll the ball to the fielders instead of hitting it.
  • Shorter throws: fielders move in a few steps.

Pairs well with

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.

First base: stretch and catch · Baseball drill | Sportdify