The game of baseball requires skill, strength and athleticism. To prepare for a game or practice, all team members need to warm up. Incorporating fun exercise games into a warm-up session can keep your players motivated while they work on skill development and prepare their bodies for the more strenuous baseball game or practice that is to follow.
Pepper
Pepper is a common baseball and softball activity that works on the skills of hitting ground balls and fielding. Designate one player as the batter while the others line up 15 to 20 ft. away facing home plate. Fielders take turns pitching the ball while the batter hits it back to them on the ground. The batter is out if he fails to hit a ball that is a strike or if a fielder catches a batted ball on the fly. The fielder who makes the play or pitches the ball becomes the batter, while the former batter takes the position on the field farthest to the right. All other fielders rotate left.
Four Corners
Divide the team into two groups. Assign home plate to one group while the other group starts at second base. One player at a time runs three consecutive bases with the baseball in her hand. When she reaches the last base in the sequence, have her stop, set her feet and throw to the next teammate in line, who is stationed at the original base. When a player catches or retrieves the ball, that player runs the bases. The game ends once one team has all members complete the circuit.
Relay
Set up two groups equal in number in a line, with the players 30 to 40 ft. from each other. Have all players put their hats down next to them. Have the player at the far end throw the ball to the next teammate in line, and repeat for each player. When the ball reaches the last player in line, he sprints to the far end of the line while each of the other players moves up one hat. Continue until team members rotate back to their original hats.
Two-Ball
Set up groups of five players each in a circle equal distances apart. One player starts by throwing two baseballs to another player. The catching player cannot be directly next to the thrower. Balls can be thrown at the same time or individually. The receiving player must catch both balls without their hitting the ground. The catching and throwing player can use either or both hands. Outs are recorded if a player drops a ball or if the thrower makes an errant throw. A player is eliminated from the game after she receives three outs.
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