When you train young players to play baseball, the most important things to cover are basic techniques and fundamentals. Make no assumptions, not even that they know how to play catch. Gradually increase the difficulty of the drills as the basic movements of throwing and catching a ball and swinging a bat become second nature to the players.
T-Ball
Before young ballplayers can master the art of crushing a hanging breaking ball, they must develop the hand-eye coordination of swinging a bat and making contact. Have a batter take 20 to 25 swings at balls placed on a tee at random heights.
Throw and Catch
Line players up across from each other and go over the basic fundamentals of throwing a ball as each set of youngsters plays catch. Stress using the full body in the throwing motion to prevent shoulder injuries. Have each player step with the leg on his non-throwing side, point his glove hand at the target, bring his throwing arm forward, release, then follow through by bringing the back leg even with the front leg. A player should catch the ball softly with open glove, making sure to keep the glove out in front of his body, then on contact squeeze the glove closed.
Grounders
Line the entire team up in single file and hit a grounder directly to the first player in line, then the next, and so on. Stress the importance of getting the body low to the ground, keeping the glove in the line of sight, watching the ball into the glove and using both hands.
Fly Balls
Line up players in single file 90 feet away and throw or hit pop flies to their immediate area, with the first player in line making the catch each time. Enforce the practice that a player yells "I got it!" loudly with both hands out before catching the ball.
Communication
Shallow fly balls and gap hits to the outfield typically involve multiple players running toward the ball. This requires players to know their assignments and call for the ball if they have the best angle. Use a full field of players and hit or throw fly balls at random. Balls hit to the gap that are not caught should be thrown in to a cutoff man, usually an infielder who positions himself a few steps into the outfield on the line the throw is supposed to take. The player who pursues the ball but is called off by his teammate should back up the player who called him off in case he misses the ball.
Baserunning
This is a good drill to promote rounding bases quickly and efficiently. Split the team into two groups. One group stands behind second base and the other group stands behind home plate. The first player in line begins rounding the bases with a ball in his hand. When he gets back to his originating base he hands the ball to the next player in line, who rounds the bases as well. The first team to get all of its players all the way around wins.
Bunt Drill
Whether a bunt is expected or a surprise, every player on the field needs to know the game situation and his specific role. A full field is required for this drill, including the outfielders, who need to back up throws to first, second and third bases. Put runners on base in places that might call for a bunt, call out the number of outs and bunt the ball to random areas of the infield.
Everyone Hits
This drill operates like a live game in that the pitcher isn't a coach and the ball is live after contact. When a batter hits a ball the defense should react accordingly and attempt to get him out. The batter can stay on whatever base he reaches, but he needs to steal second or third base on every pitch if he does reach safely. Once a player hits his turn is over. However, because of the speed of this drill, every player on the team should get to hit at least twice.
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