Live scrimmage innings

Setup

1. Split into a fielding team (nine positions) and a batting team. With fewer players, the batting team supplies a catcher, or the coach pitches.
2. Batters, runners and base coaches wear helmets with face guards. The catcher wears full gear; face masks are recommended for the pitcher and corners.
3. Pitchers throw live at your league's distance (check your league's distance) with a pitch limit for juniors, or the coach pitches from the circle behind an L-screen.
4. Write five or six situations on a card, e.g. 'R2, one out, 1-1 count' or 'R1 and R3, no outs'.

How it runs

1. The coach reads out a situation and places runners on the bases. The defence talks it through: where the force is, who covers, where the throw goes.
2. Play it live from that count until three outs, or until three batters have hit, whichever comes first.
3. Normal rules apply: runners leave on the release, the look-back rule is on, and infield fly is called when it applies. Use a double first base if your competition does.
4. The coach freezes play after a key moment to ask 'What should happen here?', then replays it if needed.
5. Swap batting and fielding teams after each situation or two. Keep score of runs and good decisions.

Coaching points

• Before each pitch, every fielder knows: how many outs, where the force is, and where the ball goes if it's hit to them.
• Catcher and pitcher: call the outs and the play out loud to the whole defence.
• Batters: know the job before stepping in, e.g. move the runner from second with a ball to the right side.
• Runners: look to the base coach, read the ball, and go on the release only.
• Keep it moving: short gaps between pitches so players get lots of game-speed reps.
• Praise good decisions even when the play doesn't work.

Common mistakes

• Fielders not knowing the outs and throwing to the wrong base.
• Too many stoppages, so nobody gets real game speed.
• Only the best players get the ball; rotate positions so everyone plays several spots.
• Runners leaving early or ignoring the look-back rule.
• Fielders without the ball standing in the base path.