By: Darrell Standish (New Berlin, WI)

Equipment Needed: Pitching machine, balls, and an open space.

Step 1

Have players split into two squads, one in left field, and the other in center field.

Step 2

One player from each squad lines up as the outfielder.

Step 3

Use a pitching machine to "hit" a ball in between the two fielders, varying the distance of the "hits".(Using a pitching machine results in more consistent and accurate placement of the "hits")

Step 4

The players go for the ball and must communicate with each other to decide who will catch the ball. The one that doesn't catch the ball decides whether to back up the player catching the ball(ball "hit" shallow to moderate depth) or line up to take a relay(ball "hit" deep).

Step 5

Once the ball is caught, the players go to the opposite line they were in, so they get practice running in both directions.