Playing excellent infield defense is vital in competitive softball. Pitching dominates the game, and pitchers depend on having infielders who can make all the routine plays and many of the tough ones. Since so many fast-pitch softball games are low-scoring and decided by one or two runs, infielders who struggle to make plays and give opponents extra outs put their pitchers --- and team --- at a disadvantage.
1, 2, 3 Drill
In this drill, each infielder gets three hard ground balls hit to her. On the first ground ball, she must pick it up cleanly and make an accurate throw to first base. On the second, she must pick it up and throw to second base, as if starting a double play. On the thirdl, she must pick it up and make an accurate throw home to the catcher, who can tag the incoming runner. Do this routine with all of your infielders.
Bunt Drill
Bunting is an important part of softball strategy. It is used frequently to advance runners and by players who bunt for base hits. Bunt three balls to the third baseman. He will have to throw one to second base, one to first base and throw one to third base on the wheel play. On that play, the third baseman charges the ball, then picks it up and throws a strike to the shortstop covering his base. The first baseman gets three balls in which he throws to first, to second and to third. The shortstop must move to second base on force plays there, and to third base when there is a runner coming into that base. The second baseman must cover first when the first baseman fields the ball. All players must know their roles without hesitation on every bunt. Work on bunt coverage for at least two rounds every practice.
Game-Situation Drill
In this drill, you will have runners at first and third base and all of your infielders in place. Hit a ground ball to the shortstop and have him throw to first base. The runner on first will move on contact. The runner at third base will hold until the ball is thrown to first, then break for home. The first baseman will then throw to the catcher, who will attempt to tag the runner. The runner who started at first will continue past second and try to make it to third base. The catcher will throw it to third, and the third baseman will attempt a tag the runner. Keep track of all plays that are made without errors and keep track of the errors that are made. Go over the performance with the players at the end of the drill.
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