By: Mike Lincoln, Head Coach-APAC Panthers

Equipment Needed: JUGS Pitching Machine, coach to play first base, and a coach to throw grounders.

Step 1

Put players in a single-file line at deep short. The first player in line is "up". Set up the pitching machine so that the fielder is at the end of a long bounce when they field the ball.

Step 2

If the player fails to field the ball cleanly, or they make a poor throw to first, they take a knee on the side. If they make a clean play, they go to the back of the line.

Step 3

When the first player comes up again, move the line 3 to 4 feet closer to the pitching machine. This continues until only one player remains, and he wins the prize. (Usually last week’s game ball or a pair of sweatbands.)

We run this drill at the end of every practice. You will find that kids who normally struggle to stay in front of the ball become very brave when there is a tangible reward associated with fielding the ball. Our kids take great pride in being the "champion" of this drill. Mike Lincoln, Head Coach – APAC Panthers