Baseball · Fly balls · Throwing

Outfield do-or-die ground balls

Outfielders charge a ground ball, field it on the run beside the glove-side foot and crow hop into a strong, low throw through the cut-off to home.

COC1BCF
Start / 5
Time
20 min
Players
5–12
Age
U12+
Area
Full diamond and outfield
Equipment
12 baseballs1 fungo bat1 home plate1 full catcher's gear2 buckets

Setup

  1. Outfielders line up in centre field. A catcher in full gear (helmet with mask, throat guard, chest protector, shin guards and cup) sets up at home plate.
  2. An infielder stands as the cut-off between the mound and home, lined up on the throw.
  3. The coach hits ground balls from beside home plate, on the first-base side, out of the throwing lane.
  4. Outfielders throw only after a full arm warm-up. Keep the count to about 8–10 hard throws each, and stop anyone who feels arm pain.

How it runs

  1. Game picture: a runner is on second, two out, and the ball is hit through the infield. The runner will score unless the throw is perfect, so the outfielder must charge.
  2. The coach hits a firm ground ball through the middle. The outfielder sprints in, then gathers the feet under control a few steps before the ball.
  3. The outfielder fields the ball on the run, just outside the glove-side foot, with the glove low.
  4. Without stopping, the outfielder crow hops and throws low and hard on a line towards home, aiming at the cut-off's head.
  5. The cut-off lets a good throw go through to the catcher, who catches it and makes a tag at the plate. If the throw is off line, the coach calls 'Cut!' and the cut-off catches it.

Coaching points

  • Sprint early, then slow the feet slightly before the ball. Fast feet, calm glove.
  • Field it outside the glove-side foot, so the next step is already the crow hop.
  • Crow hop: the back foot lands sideways under the body, then drive towards the target.
  • Throw over the top with four-seam backspin so it carries and hops true. Low enough to be cut.
  • Use do-or-die only when the run decides the game. On a routine single with no runner in scoring position, play it safe and stay in front.

Common mistakes

  • Running at full speed straight through the ball and missing it.
  • Fielding it between the feet, then needing extra steps to set up the throw.
  • Lobbing a rainbow throw that sails over the cut-off and can't be cut.
  • Looking at the runner instead of the ball before it is in the glove.

Say it: “Charge, glove-side foot, hop, fire low.”

Make it harder

  • Add a runner from second in a helmet and time the throw against the run.
  • Hit balls to the left and right of the outfielder, so they must take an angle.
  • Throw to third on some balls, with the third baser as the target and the shortstop as cut-off.

Make it easier

  • Roll the ball by hand from shorter range.
  • Field and set, then crow hop and throw, as two separate parts.
  • Throw to the cut-off only, and skip the throw home.

Pairs well with

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.