Baseball might be the national pastime, but in many areas of the United States, the climate will not allow players to get out and play during winter. As a result, coaches who want to keep their players practicing during the winter months or during poor weather must get creative when it comes to helping their teams improve while practicing indoors.
Batting Practice
Indoor batting cages can allow hitters to get in significant practice, and hone their batting stroke. While it does not have the same atmosphere, the indoor cage can be nearly as good as hitting outdoors. Set up a pitching machine, and let each batter can take 15 to 20 swings. You can also have live batting practice by allowing your pitchers to throw inside the cage --- but set up a protective L-screen in front of the pitcher first. If your batters are hitting regularly indoors, alternate sessions where they face the machine and live pitching.
Fielding Drills
Set up fielding practice in a large gym --- with a rubberized floor, if available --- for your infielders. Set your infielders up in their normal positions, and hit them hard ground balls and line drives. In most gyms, pop-ups are not an option because the ceilings are not high enough, but you might be able to hit fly balls to your outfielders, since fly balls don't have to be hit quite as high as pop-ups. Set up bases, and direct your infielders to throw the ball to first, second, and home after fielding grounders.
Pitching Practice
Pitchers have perhaps the best opportunity to hone their skills during an indoor workout. Portable indoor mounds allow the pitcher to throw off an elevated spot as he does in games. Measure off the regulation 60 feet, 6 inches between the mound and home, drop a rubberized home plate, and position your catcher behind the plate. Work your pitchers regularly --- they can throw two or three times per week during the off-season. Limit the pitch count to 50 pitches per session if throwing three times per week, and 75 pitches if throwing twice per week.
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