By: John W. Harty

EQUIPMENT: Baseballs, Catcher's Gear, Fielding Gloves, Batting Helmets

Purpose: To develop better base running skills, better deliveries to the plate, better throws from the catcher to second, and better pickoffs – all in one drill.

Setup: Four players are offense (runners) and they put on their batting helmets. One of the runners occupies first base. Four players are defense and they take positions on a standard infield as follows: Pitcher, Catcher, First, and Second. If you have more players, you can put someone at Shortstop and declare left-hand batter or right-hand batter. If you have even more, you can either sub in or get creative with positions such as right field and center field, just keep the teams as even as possible.

Play: The object of this drill is to successfully steal second (if you are a runner) or successfully put out the runner (if you are on defense.) The pitcher starts with the ball on the mound and he is free to attempt a pickoff or take a pitch to the plate. If the pitcher commits to the plate, the runner has ONLY that pitch on which to steal second. If the runner is successful, he scores a point for his team. If the defense puts him out, they score a point for their team. The runner is automatically awarded a point for a wild pitch/passed ball (only if he is staling.) He is also free to steal second on a muffed pickoff attempt but is not required to run — he is only required to run on the pitch. After the first runner makes his one attempt at a steal and he is successful or the defense has put him, out he leaves the field and the second runner takes his place at first and the play is repeated. One time through the "lineup" and the teams switch roles.

Your players will enjoy this drill. There will be plenty of opportunities to correct errors (baser running and defense) during the drill. The drill moves fast, keeps the kids involved, and really brings out the joy of competition and will improve in the players. When the drill is completed, the team with the most points gets bragging rights, or the opportunity to play the coaches for an "inning" of this drill, or some such reward.

Good Luck!