Outfielder drill, one on one

KCPhoto · Jun 6, 2016

My 11 year old walked on to a team "out of her league". She is playing the remainder of the season on a 14u team. The coach has her starting in center field because she is fast and catches well.

She has trouble with long hit balls. Takes her too long to realize it will go past her. I'm hitting her fly balls to practice and I'm looking for any help to assist her tracking the ball sooner.

Is there a big difference between hitting a tossed up ball verses a pitched ball for the outfielder?

We practice drop steps to each side like signal left or right) and a few I call out long or short as I point to have drop step and run. The first few I hit, I call long or short and then stop calling for most of the hits. Any tips to help her see the long ball sooner?

Thanks

djcarter1966 · Jun 6, 2016

Having her track balls hit off a bat is the best way to learn, I would not cue her anything that is coming. Are the balls that get past her hit at her? Usually balls to the side should not be an issue. Biggest thing is to make sure she is not taking a first step up at anything straight at her, that is the biggest flaw at any age. Also make sure she is anticipating where the ball is going to be hit, running to that spot, then putting her glove up to catch the ball and not running with her glove sticking out the whole time.

and as always at this age make sure she has had her eyes checked recently.

canyonjoe · Jun 6, 2016

Agree with DJ

Just remember that she isn't the only OF that has the same issue. Major league OF have it happen some times.

It takes a lot of reps to get good at it. If she is fast and has a desire to go after the ball she'll do fine.

quincy · Jun 6, 2016

Since she is playing center you are probably doing this already but stand in the box as a batter would, do not turn your body towards her. Hitting toss ups is fine.

Her first read should be the bat, not the ball.

canyonjoe · Jun 6, 2016

One idea I'm considering is having one of the parents who can hit hit off a P machine to at least get them used to seeing ball of the bat. At younger ages if you can find a couple of the older kids who can hit it well throw them BP and let the OF's get some work. It might be a little harder than you are used to but it teaches angles and getting a jump on the ball.

inde53546 · Jun 6, 2016

Discuss running "softly" on the balls of her feet like a deer and not like a Clydesdale on her heals or her eyes will start bouncing.

RichK · Jun 6, 2016

Another thought: on a 14U team they may be signaling pitches/locations from infield to out, which both could give her a feel for where a hit ends up but also adds another responsibility to her role, and one which you might be able to help her with. I agree OFs play off bat-angle before they see where the hit goes but they also should be playing off pitch location too....

JAD · Jun 6, 2016

When my DD was younger we would go out in a field by the house and I would hit tennis balls to her. I had better control over where the ball was going and could hit more balls with less effort with a tennis racket vs. a bat. The fielder also has to judge the flight and spin of the ball vs. the "crack of the bat". Last, but not least, we always taught our outfielders that their first step should be back.

Little's Dad · Jun 6, 2016

Take her to a field and hit fly balls; long, short, to her left, right and right at her. Also hit some that are clearly over her head by a good distance. Overtime she will learn to read the ball off the bat. The better read she can get, the better jump on the ball she will get. One bit of advice when hitting the long balls to/over her, don't make her chase or shag them, I wouldn't make mine pick up anything uncatchable. Just 1 dad's humble opinion, other may know how to do it better and more power to them. This was successful for 1 of my daughters (the other one, not so much).

My DD#2 was in a similar situation and now play CF almost exclusively. She's only 12 now but has been playing 14u, 16u and 18u since she was 10.

KCPhoto · Jun 7, 2016

djcarter1966 said:
Having her track balls hit off a bat is the best way to learn, I would not cue her anything that is coming. Are the balls that get past her hit at her? Usually balls to the side should not be an issue. Biggest thing is to make sure she is not taking a first step up at anything straight at her, that is the biggest flaw at any age. Also make sure she is anticipating where the ball is going to be hit, running to that spot, then putting her glove up to catch the ball and not running with her glove sticking out the whole time.

and as always at this age make sure she has had her eyes checked recently.

Yes, balks hit directly at her are the toughest. She freezes on those. I tell her to drop step to either side to get ready to run.

She's getting better at running with glove down. Still puts it up if it's only 3-4 steps to the ball. She's good at catching balls over her throwing shoulder to get it out of her glove quicker.

Outfielder drill, one on one

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KCPhoto

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