How To Do Pfp Drills In Baseball

Baseball pitchers have more responsibilities than throwing pitches. After each pitch, they become the ninth fielder. They must be able to field groundballs and bunts hit between home plate and the pitcher's mound. They also have to be prepared to cover home plate and first base during specific situations. "Pitchers Fielding Practice" (PFP) are drills pitchers should perform on a daily basis to work on these skills.

Step 1

Groundballs hit back toward the pitcher's mound are often called "comebackers." To practice fielding comebackers, pitch a baseball or go through the pitching motion. Then have a partner hit a ball on the ground toward the pitcher's mound. Field the groundball and throw to another partner or net at one of the bases.

Step 2

Practice fielding bunts. Begin by pitching a baseball across home plate. As the ball crosses home plate, have a partner roll another ball in front of home plate as if it were bunted. Run to the ball and align your feet to whichever base you will throw before picking it up. Field the ball with your glove if it is still moving or your throwing hand if it has stopped moving. Finish the play by throwing the ball to another partner or net at the base.

Step 3

Work on covering home plate after a passed ball or wild pitch. After going through the pitching motion, run to home plate and set up at the front edge. Catch a ball thrown to you by a partner standing 10 feet or more behind home plate and pretend to tag a runner sliding into home plate from third base.

Step 4

Practice covering first base on a groundball hit to the first baseman. Start by pitching a baseball or going through the pitching motion. Have a partner hit a groundball to the first baseman. After you see that the ball has been hit, run toward an imaginary spot approximately 20 feet in front of first base. Before you get to that spot, round your path so you are running parallel to the baseline between home plate and first base (this is often called a "banana route" because your running path should be shaped like a banana). Look at the first baseman as you approach first base because he may toss the ball before you get there. After you catch the ball, touch the inside edge of first base, then peel off toward second base. If you get to first base before the first baseman tosses the ball, maintain contact with the base until you catch it.