First I want to start by saying that there are a few different ways to field a baseball whether it be from different angles, different positions, the speed of the runner and even how hard the ball is hit in your direction. For this demonstration I will be exemplifying a generally hard it ball with an average runner at the plate, and the ball is hit right to me. Yeah, yeah, yeah I know it seems easy but wait till you have a ball hit harder than 100 MPH coming your way and you have to catch it and make and accurate throw to first base in 4 seconds from the time the ball hits his bat. It gets nerve racking fielding a groundball, because you don't want to make an error, and 'want to look good doing it' so we're going to start with the basics in a step by step tutorial I learned while reading a sports illustrated book called "How to do it like the Pro's"
First we have to be in what's called 'ready position.' In this position our heels are off the ground and we are watching the pitcher deliver the ball
once the ball is hit we have to get our glove down. Getting the glove down early is important so that we don't mess up the timing accidentally and having the ball go directly through our legs
At this point we are very low to the ground using a funneling technique that features our chest over the ball
After we receive the ball we cross over with our right foot to gain momentum towards 1st.
after we throw the ball we follow our throw just as if we follow our swing through
Before this tutorial, could you have fielded a groundball?
Nice use of visual aid. This has definitely helped me better understand one of the important techniques in Baseball.
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