Known as the "national pastime" in the United States, baseball's roots lie in a pre-Civil War game called "rounders." Whether playing for fun or in serious competition, you can improve your chances of winning if you don't go into the game cold. It is also safer to warm up a bit before a game. Baseball pre-game drills get both your mind and body ready for nine innings.
Infield Drills
Infield drills help to get infielders' minds sharp and used to throwing and catching the ball. A complex rotation of throwing might be hard to learn, but requires nothing but a bit of practice to master. The rotation for a basic infield drill has the catcher throwing to the shortstop. The shortstop then throws to the first baseman. The ball goes from the first baseman to the third baseman, who then throws the ball to the second baseman. The ball then returns to the catcher. Repeat this drill at least three times.
Batting Practce
Batting practice before a game is essential and requires little more than 20 minutes. Divide your team into four groups, with pitchers at each station. You should have 12 balls the size of golf balls and another 24 the size of softballs. At the first station, players practice bunting the golf ball-sized balls. Players failing to hit at least eight balls remain at the station. The second station has softball-sized balls thrown to the inside of the plate, which the hitters should pull down the line. The third station again uses the softball-sized balls, this time thrown over the center of the plate; the hitters should hit these back to the pitcher or up the middle. The final station uses the same softball-sized balls, thrown over the outside of the plate; players should hit these balls to the opposite side of the field. Coaches should look not just for accuracy at the last three stations, but also proper technique.
General Fielding Drills
Two variations of a drill called "four corners" helps build general fielding skills. Both infielders and outfielders can develop skills by participating in these drills. Each version requires that players set up in a square. In the first version of four corners, players throw simulations of fly balls to each other. In the second, players roll the ball on the ground. Every other throw in each example is a normal throw, simulating neither a pop fly or a grounder, just a ball thrown from one teammate to another. Normal throws are thrown diagonally across the square, while other throws go to the player on the left.
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