Drills & Skills for Infield Play

with Chris Podeszwa,
member of Coach Penders' staff since 2004;
his focus is on coaching hitting and infield;
has worked with MLB players George Springer, Nick Ahmed, John Andreaoli, and Mike Olt;
15+ year veteran of the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox (Cape Cod Baseball League) as an assistant coach (league champions in '04, '06 and '07) played (and coached) for the Skelleftea Bears Baseball Club in Skelleftea, Sweden (Swedish National Champions)

The saying "defense wins championships" seems as old as time itself, but it remains true to this day. In order to help your baseball team play better defense, longtime coach Chris Podeszwa explains the ready position and fundamentals needed to be successful as an infielder, as well as how to turn double plays with ease in this informative instructional video. Coach Pedeszwa also shows how to build those skills using simple drills to ingrain the correct movements for success.

Ready Position and Fielding Fundamentals

Give your fielders the best chance to get to every ball by showing them how to get into a good ready position that allows them to react as soon as the ball is put in play. Coach Podeszwa shows you the basic fielding position and footwork needed to give your players a strong fundamental foundation.

Picks and Grounder Drills

Build your infielder's skills by using drills that will help them develop and ingrain fundamental fielding movements. In one drill series, the Slow Roller Progression, Podeszwa shows infielders how to make the "athletic plays" on the run that typically make highlight reels. This drill progression includes dry runs, progresses to a ball already in the fielder's glove, and eventually has athletes execute a throw on the run on a rolled ground ball.

Double Plays

In this section, you'll learn how to receive the ball correctly around the bag while keeping your legs safe from the sliding baserunner with proper footwork. No matter where the ball is hit, your middle infielders will be prepared to make an efficient turn and get the lead out.

Coach Podeszwa offers detailed explanation of infield skills, and 26 drills in total, to develop your infielders. This video is certain to give you 'the base' you need to teach your team the fundamentals of solid infield play!

75 minutes. 2019.