Ground Balls

Most of the hits at your level of the game are going to be ground balls, or "grounders." These are often tricky to catch. The important thing is to get in front of the ball so that it gets to you, you are in a position to block it if you get a bad hop, or if it bounces out of your glove.

If a ball is hit to you, bend your knees, put the backside of your glove fingers on the ground in front of you, and put your other hand over your glove, ready to trap the ball if it tries to squirt out.

Most of the time the ball is not hit right to you. MOVE YOUR FEET. RUN two or three steps to the spot where you think you can get to the ball. When you get to the spot, slow down, get under control, and get into position to field the ball.

Some times the ball will be hit really slow. DONT WAIT FOR IT. Remember, it's a race to first base. GO GET THE BALL! Run up to it if it is hit slowly.

Sometimes the ball will be moving so slow you can pick it up with your bare hand and throw it. Your glove is there to protect you, and to catch fast moving balls. If you can pick it up easily with your bare hand YOU SHOULD! Why, because think about how much time it takes to pick it up with your glove, transfer the ball to your other hand, cock your arm, and throw. You want to throw that runner out before she gets to first!

Here is a video of fielding ground balls. All of these are hit at the fielders, but look how quickly they get in position, and see how quickly they throw the ball to first base.


That coach says "There's nothing wrong with your hands but your feet." What does that mean? That means you need to move your feet to get where your hands can field the ball. Most of the time, the ball is not just gonna roll up to you and hop in your glove. You have to move to get in position. Here is a good video of how to get in position if the ball is hit a little bit to your left or right. Practice this shuffle step.