The Youth Baseball Coach

Level: All

Purpose: To work on your player's throwing and infielding skills

Equipment: Bucket, Balls, Gloves

Description:  This game is a favorite or my players. It works on many different aspects of fielding and gives players a lot of throws.

Execution:  Stand a bucket upside down on home plate.  Place another target on top of the first one (this can be another bucket, catcher's helmet, batting helmet, etc.)  Divide the players up into two even teams.  Set up two cones (or markers) on either side of the pitching mound - Vary the distance based on the skill level of your players.  Each team lines up single file behind the cones with their gloves.  Place some balls on both sides of homeplate (the further the safer) and a coach takes up position at each pile of balls.  Pick a number to play to and then the coaches will start rolling balls across the field to the first player in line.  The coach outside the left handed hitters batters box will roll or hit to the shortstops and vice versa.  Make up any rules, but these are what we use-

* If a player misses a ground ball, that player must go and retrieve the ball.  No one in the line is allowed to help.  This makes the players not only try harder to pick up the ground balls, but hustle after one that they miss.

* A player must throw the ball from where they field it.  This prevents players from picking up a ball and running to the marker before they throw it.  Plus you will get players who will charge the ball more to enable a closer throw.

* 3 Points for any player that knocks any bucket or target down.
* 2 Points for any player that hits a target or bucket on the fly.
* 1 Point for any player that hits the target or bucket on a bounce.

Oh Yeah and the one more important rule.  Minus 2 points if you hit the coach.