SKILL

GAME / NOTES

BOMBS AWAY - Divide players into teams of two (no baseball gloves will be used).  Each team is given one WIFFLE BALL (start with softball sized and work to baseball sized balls or use yarn, sponge or Nerf balls if necessary).  One player will lay on their back, the other will stand over them and "drop (NOT THROW) the bomb" over the face of the player laying down.  The player on the ground tries to catch the ball.  One point for proper mechanics of catching the ball (THUMBS) and one point for every ball caught (so the "bomber" should make it easy to catch).  After five attempts, the two players switch positions (twenty points total are possible).  The team with the most points wins the game.  The purpose of the game is to learn and practice the proper mechanics of catching a ball thrown at the players' waist or above (thumbs will be together).

THUMBS AND PINKIES - The game is played just like BOMBS AWAY.  The only difference is that the "bomber" starts with the WIFFLE BALL over the chest and then moves to drop the ball over the head (THUMBS together) or BELOW the waist (PINKIES  together).  Thus the name of the game, THUMBS AND PINKIES.  The scoring is the same as in BOMBS AWAY.  The purpose of the game is to learn and practice the proper mechanics of catching a ball above and below the waist.  This game may be extended to play standing up.  The two player teams (without baseball gloves) face each other from 10 - 15 feet apart and throw the ball back and forth (underhand to begin, until throwing mechanics have been taught).  One point is awarded for proper mechanics (THUMBS above the waist and PINKIES below the waist) and one point for catching the ball.

DROP OUT - This game is played with two person teams using baseball gloves.  Start with two lines about 15 feet apart.  Partners throw the ball back and forth (underhand to start, will progress to overhand throwing after catching is learned) to each other (a simple game of catch).  If a player does not catch the ball, their team "Drops Out" by moving to one end of the line.  ALL players continue to play catch, but only those not "out" will chase for the "Championship".  If several teams remain in the chase, have one line of players move back 5 feet, and so on, until only one team remains.  The purpose of this game is to practice the fundamentals of throwing and catching a ball.  Coaches may make the game more difficult by "DROPPING OUT" teams that do not use proper mechanics of catching and throwing.

AIRTIGHT D  - Divide into 2 teams, one acts as infielders, the other as runners (with helmets on).  Coach throws ground balls or the players may hit ground balls off of a tee (IncrediBalls) to the infielders who try to throw out the runner at first base (have a coach or a VERY EXPERIENCED PLAYER play 1st base for reasons of SAFETY).  If you have children batting and the batter hits a line drive or fly ball to the outfield, they go again until they hit a ground ball.  Fielders get a point if the runner is out, runners get one point if they are safe.  After 4 "outs" or 4 "safe" runners (whichever comes first) switch sides and keep the game moving quickly.  The purpose of this game is to develop the feel and skills of making plays at first base.  For the coaches, it will give you a chance to see where you need the most coaching emphasis.

ROLLER BALL:  Divide players into two groups of six each using baseball mitts and IncrediBalls (more coaches, more teams or as a station).  The coach will roll three ground balls to each player (all three in one at turn, every player gets one turn to complete a game).  The player gets one point for proper catching mechanics (GUNFIGHTER, BELLY BUTTON, ALLIGATOR, IN THE SWAMP, CHOMP DOWN), one point for catching the ball, one point for a quick throw back to the coach, and one point for an accurate throw with proper mechanics (SHAK, WINGS TO THE SKY, LOVE THE GLOVE, TURN / THROW / FOLLOW THROUGH).  There are four points possible on each ground ball.  The coach should throw the balls in a way that the players may be successful.  The team with the most points wins (or you can play to improve on prior scores).  The purpose of this game is to learn and practice proper mechanics of catching ground balls, returning the ball quickly, and making accurate throws. 

SAFETY ZONE - Divide into teams of 6.  Each player on each team gets 3 swings with a bat (no ball is involved) starting from Home Plate.  ONLY ONE PLAYER is at Home Plate, all other players should be in a line BEHIND the backstop, waiting their turn (matter of SAFETY as batters learn to properly set their bat down).  The coach "defines" a SAFETY ZONE  near home plate (an area where the bat may be safely placed after swinging).  The batter swings, as hard as possible, DROPS THE BAT gently (cue: SWING, DON'T FLING) trying to leave the bat in the SAFETY ZONE and runs to 1st base.  After running to 1st, the players will wait off to the side near 1st base until all have batted, when all will return together to their starting positions behind the backstop.  Repeat three times.  Each batter gets two points for properly setting the bat down inside the SAFETY ZONE, one point if the bat is partly in the ZONE and minus 1 point if outside the ZONE  and one point for properly running through 1st base (through the middle of the bag to avoid ankle sprains).  MINUS 2 POINTS if the bat is thrown.  The team with the most points wins.  The purpose of this game is to learn and practice proper bat handling.  You should play this game during several of your practices because SAFE bat handling is a HIGH PRIORITY.

CONTACT - (NOTE: THIS GAME MUST BE PLAYED ONLY AFTER PLAYING GAMES OF SAFETY ZONE WITH 100% OF PLAYERS DROPPING THE BAT INSIDE THE SAFETY ZONE.)  Split into teams of 6 (could split into teams of 2 or 3 or 4 depending on the number of coaches and available equipment).  Space the teams approximately 20 feet apart (all players on ONE baseline, either 1st or 3rd).  Players hit balls (five for each batter) off of a tee (all other players must stand clear of, behind, the batting area).  The team retrieves the balls as a GROUP.  NO ONE is to retrieve a ball WITHOUT the coaches' OK (matter of SAFETY).  One point is scored for each time the player makes contact.  The team with the most points wins.  The purpose of this game is to emphasize to hitters the importance of making solid contact with the ball.  The game may be progressed (and made more difficult) by giving points only for "fair balls" or line drives.

HIT AND RUN - Divide into teams of 3.  Play 3 vs. 9 (using baseball mitts).  Coaches pitch or batters may hit off of a tee (prefer to hit off of a tee to keep the game moving, or may give three hittable pitches and then use the tee).  The players not batting will either be on base or in the dugout.  Scoring may be varied - Option 1: one point for each base achieved on a hit (batter returns to home when play is finished), subtract one point if the batter is out at any base but first.  Option 2: one point for each run scored.  May have each batter on a team bat twice or the batting team may continue until they make three outs (each batter should bat no more than three times before rotating), then the next team rotates in to bat, fielders should rotate between various positions (e.g. the team that just batted should go to the outfield positions).  The team with the most points / runs wins.  The purpose of this game is to create fast paced, game like situations.

HOT POTATO - Divide into two teams of six players each using baseball mitts (best with two coaches, as one will handle each team).  The coach throws three "fly balls" / "pop ups" (at a height of about 20 - 25 feet, may adjust this to make a little easier or a little harder, but be sure to allow SUCCESS) to each player (three to one player at a time, game is complete as all six have their chance).  One point is awarded for proper catching mechanics (Cues: PALMS OUT, THUMBS, QUIET HANDS, LEFT EAR), one point for making the catch, one point for getting the ball back to the coach quickly and one point for an accurate throw with proper throwing mechanics (SHAK, WINGS TO THE SKY, LOVE THE GLOVE, TURN / THROW / FOLLOW THROUGH).  Total of  four points are possible.  The team with the most points wins.  The game may be varied (and made more difficult) by moving the player from side to side, forward and back, and by varying the height of the ball.  The purpose of this game is to learn and practice the proper mechanics of catching fly balls and pop ups, of returning the ball quickly and of making accurate throws. 

ROAD RUNNER - (NOTE: This game is not referenced in the Guide.)  The coach needs a stopwatch for this game.  Divide into three teams of four players.  Each of the players will run around all of the bases.  The first runner takes off for 1st base (the time starts), the second runner starts when the first runner touches 1st base, the third runner goes when the second runner touches 1st base, and the fourth runner goes when the third runner touches 1st base.  All run the bases back to home, the clock stops when the fourth runner touches HOME PLATE. If a player misses a base, two seconds are added to their team's time.  The team with the shortest time wins.  You may play this game several times.  The purpose of the game is to learn to run the bases as fast as possible, and to get some good cardio exercise.

ROAD RUNNER TOO (an advanced variation of ROAD RUNNER.  NOTE: this game is not referenced in the Guide.) - Divide into three teams of four players each (coach needs a stop watch for this game).  Each team will have two members standing at Home Plate, two members standing on 2nd base.  One team at a time will race around the bases in a timed relay.  One player starting at Home Plate will run to 1st and on to 2nd base, will stop on the bag and tag the first player there.  This runner will run to third base and on to Home Plate, tagging the runner there, and so on, until all 4 players have run once.  The race ends at Home Plate.  Each team races once.  The fastest time wins (players must touch each base or their team is disqualified).  You may play this game several times.  The purpose of the game is to learn to run the bases as fast as possible, and get some good cardio exercise.