ON-FIELD BATTING PRACTICE
40-50 minutes
Now for what the players have been looking forward to the entire practice…HITTING ON THE FIELD!! At this point in the DPB Practice System, there is an option between an on-field batting practice or an inter-squad scrimmage. A good assessment of the team needs to be made to determine what they need to work on to prepare offensively for competition. If it is early in the season before the schedule cranks up, scrimmages are a great option…they allow hitters to hit and pitchers to pitch to get more comfortable in game-like situations. However once scheduled games begin, it is best to run on-field batting practices so that hitters can keep their timing and pitchers can save their arms for actual games. If an on-field batting practice is the best option for a particular day, the following guidelines will give some insight on how to maximize time:
ON-FIELD BATTING PRACTICE
1. Divided team into 3 groups: Group A, Group B, and Group C.
2. Group A hits and runs bases, Group B works in the infield, and Group C shags balls in the outfield.
3. Each rotation will last 12-15 minutes. After the first rotation, hitters go to the outfield; infielders go in to hit; and outfielders move into the infield. This is then repeated for the last rotation.
4. Coaches will pitch from a shortened distance (about 40-45 ft.) behind an L-screen or use a pitching machine (also behind an L-screen).
5. Hitters will get at least two rounds of hitting. Here’s a sample:
– 1st round: Two bunts, Ten swings with contact
– 2nd round: Two bunts, Two hit and run swings, and Eight swings with contact
* If time remains in the rotation, each hitter will get another chance to hit (even if it is only one swing each).
6. The on-deck hitter will take cuts off of a tee into a screen until his turn to hit. The remaining hitters in the group go to a pre-determined base and take turns reading the ball off the bat from their secondary leads. Runners will not advance all the way to the next base…just three or four strides, then return to the same base.
7. If using a portable backstop for home plate area, coaches can hit fungo to infielders from either side of the cage. First base side will hit to 2B and 3B, and third base side will hit to SS and 1B. If no protective screening is available, infielders can field baseballs that come for the hitter at home plate.
– Fungo hitters need to wait until the ball is hit by batter at the plate and then hit to their designated infielders.
– Fungo hitters also need to be aware of baserunners running between bases.
8. Outfielders need to take a particular field (right, center, or left) and shag anything that comes to the outfield. One of the players in the rotation needs to serve as the “bucket man”. The bucket man stands in the grass just behind second base with a bucket (preferably behind a screen) and receives baseballs from the outfielders. He then places the balls in the bucket so that when the BP pitcher runs out, they can swap out buckets.
Additional Thoughts:
– Make sure that defensive players in the infield and outfield are making plays when the ball is hit to them from the hitter in the batter’s box. This can be great chance to time prep steps and read live balls off the bat. No errors!!
– Use a catcher behind the plate during BP. This can be a good opportunity to get extra work on framing / blocking. It also gives the BP pitcher a target to throw to.
Next blog: INTER-SQUAD SCRIMMAGE: Phase 7 of the DPB Practice System (Option #2)