Collisions happen when kids don’t talk. This drill teaches loud, clear communication between the infield and outfield so everyone knows who’s got the ball.
Equipment needed: 10 baseballs, gloves, a bucket, space for a small infield and shallow outfield.
Setup: You stand in the middle with the bucket of balls. Place an infielder (usually shortstop) in the infield. Place three outfielders in the outfield (left, center, right). The line of sight from you to any fielder should be clear.
How to run it:
- Pop a fly ball to shallow left field (about 80 feet from home).
- The left fielder and shortstop both go for it.
- The fielder closest to the ball calls “I got it, I got it, I got it” (loud, repeating).
- The other fielder calls “Take it” and backs away.
- The fielder makes the catch.
- Repeat to center, right, then back to left. Do 10 total.
What to look for: Volume and decision-making. The kid who calls it must be loud and committed. The kid backing off needs to peel away early and run to a backup spot, not stand still and watch. If two kids are silent, stop the rep and run it again until somebody talks.
If they’re struggling: Drop to two fielders at a time (one infielder, one outfielder) and pop the ball straight between them. Make the call mandatory before any glove touches the ball.
If they’ve got it: Add a runner tagging from third on the catch. The fielder who catches it has to plant and throw home, while the off fielder gets in line for a relay.