When a ball is hit back at the pitcher, they’re closer to first base than anyone except the first baseman. The play is fast and the angle is awkward. The pitcher has to field, find first base, and throw on a target without overthinking it.
What you need: 6 baseballs, two gloves, a base or a cone for first base.
Setup: Pitcher on the mound (or 46 feet from home plate marked by a chalk circle). First baseman 80 feet from the mound at the bag. You stand at home plate with the bucket.
How to run it:
- Cue: Turn, Shuffle, Point, Fire. The Turn here is a hard pivot toward first.
- You roll a slow ground ball toward the pitcher.
- Pitcher fields with two hands, pivots toward first base, points the glove at the first baseman’s chest, and throws.
- Do 6 reps. Roll some balls right at the pitcher, some slightly to either side.
- Last 4: roll the ball harder so the pitcher has less time to think. Same throw.
What to watch: The first throw target. Most kids will rush the throw and short-hop the first baseman. Tell the pitcher: aim at the first baseman’s chest, not at the bag.
If they’re struggling: Slow the rolls down. Have the pitcher walk through the throw motion at half speed.
If they’ve got it: Add a runner from home. The pitcher has to make the throw beat the runner. Time it with a stopwatch.