Drills for the Pitcher as a Defensive Player

excerpt from the book Softball Skills & Drills-2nd Edition
by Judi Garman, Michelle Gromacki

Pitchers must work on their fielding techniques to strengthen the infield. Including conditioning will give pitchers the strong legs they'll need to go the distance in a game.

PITCHERS FIELD AND COVER FIRST
Purpose: To practice fielding all types of balls after delivering a pitch. This is an excellent conditioning drill as well.

Procedure: The drill works best with at least three pitchers, a catcher, and a hit-t er. If you don't have three pitchers, another player may play first, and pitchers rotate only on the mound. Pitchers form a single-file line at the mound, and one pitcher is at first to catch the throw. The pitcher pitches the ball to the catcher, and the hitter hits a ground ball back to the pitcher for fielding practice. The pitcher fields, throws to first, and then rotates to first to receive the throw from the next pitcher. After catching at first, the receiver rotates to the end of the fielding line. Vary the types of balls hit, hitting to each side of the pitcher and bunting and slapping as well. Include a sequence in which pitchers look imaginary runners back before making the throw.

COVERING HOME
Purpose: To practice footwork for covering home on wild pitches with a runner at third.

Procedure: Pitchers rotate on the mound, and catchers rotate at home. The pitcher throws a wild pitch (left or right, over her head, in the dirt) to the catcher in receiving position and then runs home to cover the plate for the return throw. The pitcher's feet must be well out of the way of the sliding runner. The pitcher should call the catcher's name and wave her arms until the throw is on its way. The pitcher receives the ball and makes a tag. Once it is clear that the pitcher knows how to assume a safe position, add actual runners to work on timing and tags.

KNOCKDOWNS
Purpose:To simulate a ball hit hard back to the pitcher off her shins or some-where else on her body.

Procedure: The pitchers line up at the mound, and the first pitcher starts about 2 feet (.6 m) in front of the mound, facing home plate. A receiver (with a bucket to place caught balls into) is at first base, ready for the pitcher's throw. A coach with a ball stands close to the pitcher. The pitcher closes her eyes, and the coach gently tosses a ball off the pitcher's body. The pitcher has to find the ball, scoop it up with two hands, and throw to first. As an alternative, the coach can hit the ball to the pitcher, who catches it, drops it, and then has to quickly recover and throw. (As a variation, the pitcher can also kick the ball after dropping it.)

RUN THE BALL TO FIRST
Purpose: To recognize when to run the ball and underhand toss it to first base instead of throwing overhand. This method is used when no one is on base, the ball is hit between first base and the pitcher, and the batter is not a slapper. It is also used if the pitcher has a poor overhand throw.

Procedure: Pitchers line up single file at the mound; a fungo hitter is at home (with a bucket of balls), and a receiver is at first. The pitcher begins with a windup without a ball, and the fungo hitter hits a ball directly at the pitcher or to the first- base side of the mound. The pitcher fields the ball first, then turns and runs toward first base. At the same time, she takes the ball out of her glove (hanging her throwing arm down to her side and out in front of her) with the palm of her hand behind the ball. When the pitcher gets a few feet from first base, she locks her elbow and pushes the ball underhand to the first-base receiver. The receiver puts the ball in a bucket. The pitcher returns to the end of the pitching line or replaces the receiver at first.

BACKING UP
Purpose: To incorporate the pitcher into defensive situational practice by having her back up third base or home.

Procedure: When a ball is hit to the outfield, the pitcher runs to foul territory on the third-base side in between home and third base, looking to see which base to back up. Depending on where the ball is hit and which base the runner is going to, the pitcher either backs up third or home.

DEFENSIVE REPS
Purpose: To have the pitcher practice fielding all types of balls and throwing to all bases.

Procedure: The pitcher goes through her pitching motion before she fields each ball. The pitcher must finish her complete motion before fielding so that bad habits do not form. Place buckets at each base to put balls in after they are caught. One receiver can rotate to different bases.

• Grounders - The pitcher goes through her motion, and ground balls are hit to every side so she can work on forehand, backhand, and straight-on fielding and throwing the ball. Work reps to every base, ensuring proper footwork and fielding mechanics.

• Line drives - Line drives (high and low) are hit to every side. Start off with slower hit balls and progress to harder shots. This drill helps pitchers build better confidence in fielding line drives. It teaches them to perform the proper fielding mechanics instead of shying away and then reacting. Eventually, pitchers react automatically because the fielding mechanics become muscle memory.

• Pop-ups - Pop-ups of all kinds are hit: short, low, high, foul, in between the catcher and pitcher. Also practice short but deep pop-ups that are over the pitcher's head so she learns to eliminate the chance of a blooper falling behind the mound for a base hit.

• Bunts - The coach stands in the batter's box and tosses a bunt down either the first-base line or the third-base line. The pitcher practices going to every base (including home for the squeeze). Make sure the pitcher's feet line up properly for throws to the corresponding base. The force of the bunt dictates which footwork should be used.