Fielding balls cleanly in the infield in softball can be the difference between winning and losing a game. Because of the smaller infield, with 60 feet between bases, plays at each base must be made more decisively and efficiently. It is important to practice infield drills to help improve the players' skills at getting to the ball and throwing it to the proper base.
Funnel Drill
Watching the ball into your hands is an important skill to learn at a young age, as it will be useful at any level of softball competition. This drill requires two people, one with a glove and one without. The player with the glove rolls a ball to the other player. According to Ohio Fast Pitch Connection, the player fielding the ball must do so without using the glove, forcing her to position her body fully in front of the ball, get down on the ball and scoop or funnel the ball to the waist. The fielding player then flips the ball back to the other player, who quickly rolls it again in a slightly different direction to force the fielding player to adjust quickly. Repeat the drill 12 to 15 times, then switch positions.
Groundball/Flyball Game
Mobility and tracking fly balls around the infield are valuable skills. In this drill, put yourself at first base and have another player hit a ground ball to you. As soon as you field it and throw it back, the other player throws a high fly ball over first base. You must run quickly to track and catch the ball. After that ball is caught, throw it back and have the other player hit another ground ball to third base, which you will have to field on the run and make the throw to home plate. This drill, according to Ohio Fast Pitch Connection, will help you work on fielding ground balls, from a stationary position and on the move, and help you track popups on the infield.
Four Corners
This drill can involve an entire team and is best used to help warm up and work on proper fielding and throwing technique. Split the players evenly among first base, second, third and home plate. Start the ball at home plate, and throw to third base, then to second, then to first and back home. Allaboutfastpitch.com suggests that players focus on catching the ball cleanly with two hands, stepping toward the ball with the foot on the glove side of the body, and proper throwing technique. To add a wrinkle, plus some exercise, have players follow the throw and go to the back of the line at that base, working their way around the diamond.
1,2,3 Drill
This drill is designed for infielders to work on catching line drives and fly balls. Two players line up about 50 feet away from each other, then one throws a line drive right at the other. As soon as the ball is caught, the other player throws another line drive to the player's side, forcing her to stretch for it. As that ball is caught, the other player throws a pop fly that forces the fielder to sprint to catch it. Ohio Fast Pitch Connection recommends this drill because of its fast pace.
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