Regardless of how much natural baseball talent and hand-eye coordination a person has, it will amount to nothing without proper development through on-field drills. You can't learn how to take a proper angle on a fly ball, or how to hit a pitch out the outside part of the plate into the opposite field, by reading about it in a book or watching it on television. The best baseball drills develop the best baseball players.
Hitting Drills
With some very rare exceptions, every position eventually steps into the batter's box. Strike zone recognition and the ability to "hit it where they ain't" is an integral part of being a baseball player.
In/Up/Out: This drill is designed to train hitters how to hit the ball to all fields. For this drill, you will need two strips of tape used to divide the plate into three sections. You will also need two cones to divide the field into three areas, "in" being left field for a right handed hitter, or right field for a left handed hitter, and "up" being center field. When the pitcher throws the ball to the batter, the batter will yell either "in," "up" or "out," depending on what area of the plate the ball crosses. He will then hit the ball to that corresponding field. An outside pitch to a right handed hitter will result in the batter yelling "out" and hitting the ball to right field.
Target Bunting: Effective bunting can be the difference between winning and losing a game. The ability to move runners through directional bunting is a skill that all players should posses. For this drill you, need four cones, which will divide the infield into three sections. Practice bunting several balls into each section.
Fielding Drills
Whether a ball is hit deep into the gap or bunted softly down the line, every player on the field needs to know exactly what his role is and where on the field he needs to be. One player out of position can result in a free run for the opposing team.
Gappers: Doubles that are hit into either outfield gap happen regularly. Every position has a role in this event, and there can be zero confusion if the runner is to be held to just two bases. Start by hitting or throwing balls into alternating outfield gaps without saying which gap you are aiming for. Use a live baserunner and inform each position player of his duty on the field depending on where the ball goes.
Bunt Drill: If a speedy player is up to bat with a man on second and nobody out, chances are he's going to bunt. The players in the infield first must know exactly how they, as well as their teammates, are going to react depending on the direction of the bunt. Practice with a live baserunner starting at random bases and another at home plate. Bunt the ball over several areas of the infield without saying where beforehand.
Baserunning Drills
A baserunning blunder can take potential runs off of the board and affect team morale. Every player must know when to run, when to go halfway and when to freeze for every situation.
Dirt!: A wild pitch is almost always a free base for a baserunner. But recognizing when a pitch is going to be in the dirt isn't always easy for a runner, so this drill will train her teammates to help her out. For this drill, have one baserunner on each base, and the rest of the team in the dugout. Throw a variety of balls to the catcher, some that are strikes and some that hit the dirt. For every pitch in the dirt, the players should yell "dirt!" causing the runners on base to react accordingly.
Fly Ball Recognition: Shallow fly balls and line drives must be recognized by baserunners immediately off of the bat. Have a runner on each base and hit a variety of balls to all sides of the field. Emphasize recognizing whether the balls are going to be caught or taken on the hop, and instruct the runners on how and when to tag up or to run on contact.
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