Baseball combines speed, quickness and hand-eye coordination. You can improve all of these skills through conditioning and simulation of game situations by following through with a set of drills.
Four Corners
During the four corners drill, the teams are split in two equal -- or close to equal -- lines at each base. Standing at the pitcher's mound, the coach throws the ball to the first player in line at first base. The first baseman then runs toward the mound while holding the baseball in throwing position, pretending to watch a runner on third. When the first baseman gets about halfway to the mound, he throws the ball home, simulating an attempt to save a run. The catcher then simulates tagging the runner before throwing to the third baseman, who simulates a tag, and throws to second base, and so on until the ball gets back to first base. Once the ball gets back to first base, the players rotate and continue this drill. The goal is to complete this drill in less than four minutes. The drill can help players develop quick reaction while defending the bases.
Dive Backs
In this drill, you line up at home plate and begin to run the bases. But after turning toward second, you dive back into first base instead of continuing down the base path. Jump up immediately and continue to second base, once again diving back after rounding second. Continue this process through third base and then slide into home plate. This drill helps conditioning, quickness and reaction by getting you accustomed to diving back to the bases. With the addition of fielders throwing to the base to attempt a tag, you can see how far you can round the base and still dive back in time.
Baserunning and Fielding
During this twist on a normal baserunning drill, you line up at home plate and take off toward first. The coach, on or near the mound, throws the ball to first while you try to beat the throw. The coach can choose to overthrow the ball or add simulations such as errors in the outfield. You round the base, and another player, acting as first-base coach, tells you whether to run or stay. This drill helps you develop speed running the bases and quick reaction time to coaches' commands and different situations in the field.
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