Catching the balls hit on the ground is one of those basics of baseball that is easy only on the surface, as they require a lot of practice to be performed perfectly. It takes feline reflexes and super high concentration to be ready to pick up a ball that is shooting towards you at high speed. You will have to train hours and hours on the position, on how to approach the ball correctly and on the movement to get up, load and throw the ball. Start reading from Step 1 to learn all about how to catch a ball on the ground.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Getting into Position
Step 1. Get ready for reception
Even before the launcher has started loading, you should already be in a ready receiving position. Load your body weight on the forefoot, with your knees comfortably flexed and the glove in front of you, at stomach level. Focus all your attention on the hitter. When the batter hits the ball, don't lose sight of it for even a second.
Step 2. Be prepared to move in case the ball is hit in your direction
You will have a few seconds to react after the serve, so you will have to move almost instinctively towards the ball, in case it is your turn to grab it. Some interns find it helpful to sway a little while they wait for the beat. Shifting your body weight back and forth can help you feel ready to sprint towards the ball faster.
Step 3. Move in front of the ball
When the ball is hit, move as fast as possible to be ready to welcome it in the front position. You will have to shoot while being lowered; how much lowered depends on how fast the ball is coming. Here are some scenarios that could happen to you:
- If the ball is slow, you should try to go towards it. This means running towards the ball, staying down so that you can grab it as fast as possible.
- If the ball is coming in strong and low, it will bounce violently against any imperfections on the playing field. Getting there as soon as possible is your best bet to prevent it from bouncing away from you or, worse, at you - a baseball hit can be quite painful.
- If the ball advances fast, it is even more important to run low, so as to catch it comfortably, rather than having to suddenly bend over or bend the hand with the glove at angles that are inappropriate for the wrist joints. Instead of running towards the ball, then, perform a quick sideways motion to bring yourself in front of it and receive it directly into your glove.
- With practice and experience, you will be able to recognize the best approach for any type of ball on the ground. Timing, in these cases, is the really essential element.
Step 4. Decide whether to catch the ball on a long or a short bounce
Balls hit on the ground can be tricky to catch, as any bounce could send them in unpredictable directions. The best moment would be while the ball is making a long bounce, because it is quite easy to predict where to put the glove in order to intercept it. Catching a batted ball on a short rebound is much more difficult because reaction times are drastically reduced. If you were to let it bounce right in front of your mitt it could splash over your shoulders, or slip off your hips, and you'd end up losing it.
- Calculate the right time to catch, so as to avoid the ball bouncing off the ground a few inches from your glove. You should be in a position a few meters away from where the ball touched the ground, so that you can observe its trajectory and move accordingly.
- If, unfortunately, the ball bounces in front of you, you will need your best reflexes to catch it. Keep your body in front of the ball. If it slips out of the glove, you may be able to block it with your feet or any other part of your body - anything to keep from losing it!
Step 5. Bend your body to grab the ball comfortably
It is easier to catch the ball from the side of your body where you have the glove on. If you are wearing the mitt on your right hand, try to arrange so that the ball goes to your right side. If the mitt is on the left, try grabbing it from the left side of your body.
- You still have to be in line with the ball. Avoid putting yourself in a position that forces you to grab the ball while diving or by extending your arm.
- If the ball is very fast, you may not have time to get into the ideal position to catch. If that's the case, you'll need to try diving, reaching out, or attempting a backhand catch to get the ball.
Part 2 of 3: Get the batted ball on the ground
Step 1. Bend your legs and lower your butt towards the ground
When the ball is close, it's time to get down. Otherwise, you run the serious risk of seeing the ball splash between your legs - the worst fool for an infantryman. Keep a crouched position that allows you to move easily to catch the ball in the event of a short bounce.
Step 2. Extend the glove in front of the body
This is where hand-eye coordination comes into play: extend the glove towards the ball, keeping your elbows slightly bent. Hold the glove so the ball rolls, or bounces, in it.
A typical interior mistake is not keeping the glove down. It is much easier to raise it than to lower it quickly; keeping it low, therefore, offers more coverage
Step 3. Hold your bare hand close
She must not obstruct the path of the ball, but be ready to intervene if necessary. Two hands are better than one; then the bare hand should be ready to tighten around the ball as soon as it is in the glove.
Step 4. Watch the ball enter the glove
Rule number one in baseball - "never lose sight of the ball" - applies as much in the catch as it is in the serve. Watch the ball until it is safe in your glove and be ready to move in case something unexpected happens.
Step 5. Hold the ball with your bare hand
When the ball is in the glove, immediately grab it with your bare hand. You will be quicker in relaunching.
Part 3 of 3: Throwing the Ball back
Step 1. Move the ball to the throwing hand
Once the ball is secure in your glove, immediately pass it into your bare hand. If you used your bare hand to catch the ball, you just need to change grip and throw it. If you caught the ball with your arm outstretched or backhand, bring the mitt towards your bare hand to catch the ball.
- Practice holding the ball correctly. Without looking at your hand, practice quickly gripping the ball using the stitching. Developing this automatism will make your throw more accurate and easier to catch.
- The passage of the ball from the glove to the bare hand must take place smoothly and quickly; also train this phase. Do this when you are on the bench and have nothing to do, or whenever you have a ball close at hand.
Step 2. Stand up straight and adjust the position of your feet
It's time to get into the launch position. Stand up straight and start the crawl or hop movement with your right foot, then left and finally right, while throwing (if you are right-handed). These steps will develop a quick hopping sequence, which will lead you to the best position to release an effective throw.
Step 3. Throw the ball in one smooth motion
After the thrill of having caught the ball, you must not lose concentration, because you will still need it for the throw. A bad shot will blur the excellent grip you just performed. Throw the ball in a straight line towards the player in the best position at that moment.
- You can practice throwing the ball while crouching, for those occasions when you don't have time to get up and make the correct movements.
- In other cases, you don't need to throw the ball, just pass it to a nearby player.
Advice
- Train hard. Start with slow balls, to insist on footwork and develop rhythm and timing. Gradually increase your pace. During training, throw yourself on every ball that arrives in your vicinity and, at the same time, practice with catching and throwing the ball, so that they become automatic.
- Try some of these bare hand exercises.
- To work on short bounces, ask someone to stand in front of you and drop a ball in your direction on a smooth floor.
Warnings
- Always warm up before exercising.
- Keep the glove in good condition. Check the laces and tighten them if you feel they have loosened - a fastball could get stuck in, or even pass through. Check that the pocket is in shape: a soft pocket could open if hit by a ball too hard. The palm of the glove should be flat and smooth, so take out any bulging, or you may see the ball bounce badly out of your grip.
