"Coach Dunns Quick Pitches" -- By Coach Jack Dunn

Enhanced Situation Hitting Drills

The original "Situation Hitting Drills" was first printed in the JNL of May 2001. I have revised and developed this drill to add enhanced instructions, which will give your players a better practice schedule and it will improve the quality of your players practice time.

An excellent way to develop a team's base running skills, team defense, and hitting strategy, under near game like conditions, is through the use of Situation Hitting Drills.

Situation Hitting Drills are designed to:

1. Emphasize base running mechanics and strategy.
2. Emphasize team defense. (e.g., alignments, cut-offs, relays, pitchers backing up the correct base, etc.)
3. Build offensive strategy by having the hitter execute whatever play the coach wishes to employ.
4. Build the running game by having the base runners run the bases correctly, according to the situation, and be able to implement whatever strategy the coach wishes to employ.
5. Teach the defensive team players to communicate with each other (e.g., pop flies, alignments, cut-offs, relays, etc.)
6. Teach the players, both offensively and defensively, to respond to game situations automatically.
7. Teach the team's signal system both offensively and defensively.
8. Teach team offense and team defense under simulated game pressure.

Before using any of the Situation Hitting Drills, it is advisable that the base running, defensive, and hitting aspects and strategies necessary for a particular drill be taught in advance. Teaching in advance maximizes the effectiveness and efficiency of the drill.

Procedure:

1. Put a defensive team in the field. Players may be substituted individually or if team numbers permit, as a group.
2. Outfielders in their positions.
3. Infielders in their positions.
4. Catchers in full gear (drill can be run without catchers).
5. Pitchers: One pitcher stands behind the batting practice pitcher or the JUGS Pitching Machine and backs up whatever base the play dictates. Extra pitchers form a line in foul territory between home plate and first base awaiting their turn.

Batter/Runners: Designate four to six players to be the offensive players.

1. Hitters at home plate, each bats one at a time. After hitting a fair ball, the hitter reacts to the play, as do the base runners, as they would in an actual game situation.
2. To allow the maximum offensive and defensive opportunities use one of the JUGS Pitching Machines or have a coach throw batting practice.
3. After a pre-determined number of outs, plays, or time switch your offensive and defensive players.
4. Place base runners on the appropriate bases to create the situations you wish to practice.
5. Use first and third base coaches to help with base running fundamentals and strategy. As players increase their knowledge eliminate the base coaches thus forcing base runners to rely upon their own knowledge.
6. All plays and/or situations must be played to their completion.
7. Coaches should stop play whenever appropriate to make necessary corrections.

DRILLS:

Runners on First and Third Bases:

This is the best of the Situation Hitting Drills. It will create base running and defensive situations that occur the most often during a game, while also providing excellent batting practice opportunities under game conditions.

Procedure – this drill is run as a one out situation.

1. Drill begins with base runners at first and third bases, and a hitter at home plate.
2. If possible, there should be extra base runners (waiting in foul territory) at both first and third bases – this will speed-up the drill.
3. Regardless of how far the base runners or batter may have advanced during the course of the play, each player must return to the next station (e.g., runner on first base becomes runner at third base, runner at third base goes to hitting station, and hitter becomes runner at first base).

Base Running Responsibilities:

Runner at First Base – the following are areas of emphasis and concentration for the base runner and the coach.

1. Primary and Secondary Leads off first base.



2. Read the Ball off the Bat – watch the ball from the pitcher's hand (pitching machine) to the Impact Zone.
1. Line Drive – runner freezes!
2. Ground Ball – runner goes!


3. As far as you know you can get back safely – this is the rule for all fly balls... shallow or deep... on a deep fly ball if the runner passes second base and the ball is caught "Be sure to retouch second base" on return to first base... if in doubt play all fly balls as if they are fair balls.



4. On a ground ball that is hit in the baseline between first and second base. "Never allow the second baseman to tag you out and throw to first base for an easy double play!" Get hung up! This is your best chance to avoid the double play and allow the runner on third base to score.



5. Advancing first base to third base on a hit to the outfield.
1. Philosophy: The fundamental philosophy for the runner on first base is:
• No Outs = No Chances.
• One Out = 50/50 chance of being safe at third base. Go for it!
• This drill is primarily a one out drill so the one out philosophy will prevail.
2. Factors to consider when deciding whether to attempt an advance to third base
• Outfielders throwing ability.
• Playing field conditions... wet?
• Depth of outfielders.
• How hard the ball is hit.


6. Routine Fly Ball to Left Field with runner on third base and a play at home plate.
1. The runner on first base tags up and breaks for second base when the outfielder releases the ball.
2. Read white! That is, see the ball leave the outfielder's hand before advancing to second base.
3. By tagging up in this situation and advancing on the outfielders throw to home plate the runner from first base can.
• Force the defense to cut-off the throw allowing the run to score.
• Advance into scoring position should the runner from third base be safe at home plate.
4. An average runner, if he breaks for second base at the right time, can beat the outfielders throw to the cut-off man and the third baseman's return throw to second base if, the throw is cut-off.
5. This play is almost exclusively a left field play. If a fly ball is hit other than to left field its chances for success are diminished.


7. Tag up and be ready to advance on ALL foul fly balls!

RUNNER AT THIRD BASE – AREAS OF EMPHASIS AND CONCENTRATION FOR BASE RUNNER AND COACH.
1. Proper lead off and return to third base.
• Primary Lead: Is far as the third baseman plays from the base.
• Secondary Lead: Use a walking lead.
• Down in foul territory back in fair.
2. Read the ball off the bat! — Watch the ball from the pitcher's hand to the impact zone and be ready to react!
3. Anticipate! Use the location of the pitch as a "key" to react quickly and correctly to the batted ball.
• High pitch = FLY BALL.
• Low pitch = GROUND BALL.


8. Runner does one of two things when the ball is hit... and nothing else!
1. Tags up – on any ball hit in the air... line drive or fly ball.
• Tag with left foot on all fair fly balls.
• Tag with right foot on foul fly balls down the left field line
2. Goes, attempts to score, on any ball hit on the ground.


9. The runner on third base should advance on ground balls to the infield with a runner on first base:
1. To score a run if the defense goes for the double play and fails.
2. To prevent a double play by forcing the defense to play on the runner attempting to score from third base.
3. Get hung up! If the runner from third base is obviously out, he should get in a rundown to allow the runner from first base to advance to third base and the batter/runner to advance to second base if possible.


10. Hitter – areas of concentration for hitter and coach.
1. Initial Step out of batter's box – Always with rear foot and directly toward first base.
2. Crossing first base – "Nod the base"... step on first base and simultaneously bend at the waist – this is comparable to a trackman "breaking the tape." It may get you a safe call on a close play at first base.
3. Breakdown – After crossing first base breakdown... that is change from stride steps (speed) to chop steps (lateral control). This allows for a quick change of direction if the ball is over thrown at first base.
4. Look Right – After crossing first base and bringing body under control (chop steps) "Look Right" to see if ball has been overthrown... player is able to react quicker by seeing for himself the location of the ball.
5. Rounding first base – On a clean hit to the outfield run to a point approximately 10 to 12 feet in front of first base and half way between the first base line and first base coaching box... touch the inside of first base with the left foot. Don't "break stride" to touch the base with the left foot. Make the ball stop you! Turn first base aggressively. Return to first base watching the outfielders throw back to the infield.


11. Defense: Infielding Positioning

The defense should practice playing the first base and third base with one out situation two different ways.

• Double-Play Depth – Play the infield deep and attempt to complete the double play thus preventing the run from scoring.
• Play the infield in double play depth during most of the drill.
• Half-Way Position: Middle infielders (Shortstop and Second Baseman) play at medium depth (halfway between deep position and the baseline.) The first baseman and the third baseman play even with base.
• Hard Hit Ball – Middle infielders go for the double play via second base.
• Slow Hit Ball – Middle infielders throw runner out at home plate.

CONCLUSION:

The First and Third Situation Hitting Drill can be a simple hitting and defensive drill or a sophisticated game like drill that incorporates both offensive and defensive signs and strategy.

Once the players understand their offensive responsibilities the coach may chose to incorporate the hit and run, safety and suicide squeezes, and other aspects of the offensive game into the drill.

The coach should give the appropriate sign for each play. Not only will the players practice proper execution of a particular play under game like conditions but they will familiarize themselves with receiving and understanding the "team signs."

Look for Part II of Enhanced Situation Hitting Drills in next month's February 2007 JNL.

For more from Coach Dunn click on Coaches Corner on the JUGS® website.