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CATCHING A BASEBALL
1. Keep your eye on the ball.
The First Commandment of Baseball… Cast it in stone. But don’t be too hard on Bill Buckner, because that guy could keep his eye on the ball as well as anyone in his baseball generation or any other.
2. Learn your position.
Every position requires you catch the baseball, but there are other responsibilities, such as where to be on cutoffs, where to back up, and which base. Learn to play different positions, but play the position you like the most.
3. Keep your hands relaxed.
The best fielders have the most relaxed hands. If you feel your hands tightening a bit from the tension, just shake them out and think relaxed. A couple of deep breaths helps too. Relaxed hands make soft hands.
4. Keep your hands below the ball
When fielding a ground ball, start with your glove on the ground. Remember if your hands are below the ball the play can probably still be made if it comes up on you suddenly. But if your hands are above the ball, and the ball stays close to the ground, your hands can never be quick enough to go down to the ball and field it. That ball will go right through your legs!
5. Keep your body in front of the ball.
This is the full strength ideal position you want to find yourself when catching a baseball, because it affords you all the options for making any play.
6. Knock the ball down.
No bullfighter “olays” allowed here. Stick out that body, chest or bare hand if you have too. Just knock the ball down. That's what good teammates and gamers do all the time.
7. Stay with the ball
This is where your teammates come in. Teach your ballplayers that, after a shot has been hit off the body of one your infielders, to yell as loud as they can "stay with it, stay with it” while pointing where the ball is. Most plays like this you still have time to get the out.
8. Catch on your toes.
The heels have to be off the ground to properly catch a baseball. To strengthen your toes, yes your toes, walk on them as much as you can, both on and off the field. Probably best in private!
9. Want the ball.
This separates the ballplayers from the guys who just want to look good in their unies. Ballplayers want the ball because they are sure that they can make the putout. The more you want the ball, the further you will go in baseball.
10. Concentrate
Now more than ever.
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