Fielding a ground ball may be the most underappreciated aspect of playing baseball. Fans love the great hitters who can bash long home runs. They are equally appreciative of a pitcher who can control the game, especially when faced with a 95-plus mph fastball. Even fielders can gain appreciation, particularly when an outfielder makes a great running catch or uncorks a long throw home. But fielders who can catch hard-hit, one-hop shots ground balls without flinching can mean the difference between winning and losing in a close game.
Step 1
Get your body in the proper position. Prior to each pitch, have your weight centered on the balls of your feet, your knees bent and your hands below your knees to be ready to move and pounce on any hard-hit, one-hop grounder that comes your way.
Step 2
Move your feet, as soon as the ball is hit, to where the ball will be when you catch it. If the batter hits a one-hopper in your direction, it will hit the ground within the first 15 feet after it hits his bat. It will come bounding your way with a long, hard hop. This is an easier ball to read because it is not bouncing along the ground, but it has the added difficulty of moving with great speed. You have to get in front of it in an instant.
Step 3
Raise or lower your glove to the level of the ball. The one-hopper is likely to come in at waist level--give or take a few inches--so you must get your glove hand at the exact spot. Get your glove in a vertical position. If the ball is at waist level or below, point the fingers of the glove down; if it is above waist level, point your fingers toward the sky.
Step 4
Cover the ball with your throwing hand as soon as it hits your glove. If the ball hits in the pocket of the glove, you will be pulling the ball out to throw the ball in order to get the out at first or the lead runner at second, third or home. However, if it doesn't hit dead center in the pocket, your throwing hand will secure the ball in the glove first and then pull it out to make the throw.
Step 5
Keep your eye on the ball as long as possible. Do not look to where you will be throwing the ball or to see if the other fielders are covering the base you will be throwing to. Stay in the moment and make sure you catch the ball.
Tips and Warnings
- Take infield practice every day. Take grounders, short hops and one-hoppers before each game. You will find that the one-hopper is relatively easy, but the speed of the ball makes it a treacherous fielding play.
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