| All too often baseball players perfect the art of | | | | A key element in the proper use of the soft |
| collecting the ball in the pocket of their gloves. | | | | hands is the position of the baseball glove prior to |
| This is particularly true for the younger players | | | | receiving the baseball. Correct fielding places the |
| that are still in the learning curve of using two | | | | glove in a vertical position with heal of the glove |
| hands for all catches. An expertly broken in glove | | | | at the top and the web on the bottom. |
| will assist in the catching of the ball. Yet relying on | | | | When the glove is less than perpendicular to the |
| the glove to perform all the functions of the | | | | path of the ball, any mishap is the fielding process |
| catch is just too risky. | | | | can cause the ball to bounce away and behind the |
| The addition of the second hand will help in the | | | | player. Recovery from these events are difficult |
| control of the baseballs energy but even then a | | | | as the player must turn their back on the field of |
| missed alignment can cause the path of the | | | | play and operate under a sense of urgency. |
| baseball to take just enough geometry to find its | | | | With the glove at a right angle to the path of the |
| way out of the glove. Again, the scramble for | | | | ball, mistakes will cause the ball to bounce in front |
| control is on. | | | | of the player, still within their vision and still |
| With predictable proper control during the catch, | | | | playable. |
| the rhythm of taking the baseball from the glove | | | | Practice gloves (also known as training mitts, |
| and completing the throw action is guaranteed a | | | | gloves and pancakes) are an excellent tool for |
| higher level of success. Repeating a series of | | | | both coaches and players. As they have no |
| events developed through practices and drills is | | | | pocket, two hands are mandatory to field any |
| what delivers the baseball from the player who | | | | baseball. An excellent way to reinforce the use of |
| caught the ball to the player who needs to | | | | two hands in all catches. These mitts can also be |
| receiver the following throw. | | | | used for drill with pop fly balls with limited height. |
| Soft hands allow the baseball player fielding the ball | | | | It is a great policy for coaches to utilize drills that |
| to transfer the energy of the ball into the players | | | | mandate two hands whenever possible. |
| arms. The action is similar to that of a shock | | | | For the coach training mitts offer the visual cue |
| absorber found in automobiles and motorcycles. | | | | of the proper hand position and arm action. If the |
| Starting fast and out front with the initial contact, | | | | coach can see a full circle outline of the mitt |
| then retreating the hands quickly to dissipate the | | | | during the drill, then the player is holding the mitt |
| energy put into the baseball from being struck by | | | | at a right angle as they should. Any oblique circle |
| the baseball bat. | | | | is a sure sign that the mitt is being held on an |
| To impart this motion to beginning and younger | | | | angle where the coach can make instant position |
| players, simply toss a ball in the air and let them | | | | correction. Balls controlled by the players indicate |
| catch it bare handed. Done correctly, the player | | | | that they are using soft hands. When the ball |
| will reach for the ball then withdraw their hands to | | | | bounces away from the mitt then the player is |
| their chest as they grasp it. This an easy catch | | | | instantly notified of their mistake. |
| and the ball will not bounce out of their hands nor | | | | Soft hands is the process of using two hands to |
| will there be any sting. | | | | catch and control the ball by allowing the hands to |
| Once the mechanics of the previous drill are taken | | | | retreat quickly as the ball is grasped, as the |
| to heart, it is time to move onto using the same | | | | energy is dissipated, the ball can no longer bounce |
| technique in a fielding drill. Knees bent, bottom | | | | out of the glove and the player will gain control of |
| down, hands out, the players receive the ball with | | | | the baseball faster and allow them to complete |
| the same arm action as the over head drill but | | | | their motion in practiced, predictable way. |
| with grounders provided by the coach. Glove hand | | | | Read about volleyball conditioning drills and |
| takes the line of the ball, off hand covers the ball | | | | volleyball fundamentals at the Volleyball Drills |
| in the glove, arms retreat quickly to dissipate the | | | | website. |
| energy of the ball. | | | | |