"Coach Dunns Quick Pitches" — By Coach Jack Dunn

YOU CAN'T STEAL FIRST BASE... BUT YOU CAN TRY! PART II

DRILLS

OUT OF THE BOX DRILL

Purpose: To teach the correct initial step with the rear foot out of the batter's box.

Procedure:

1. Players line up single file near home plate outside the batter's box on their respective sides of home plate.
2. Each player, one at a time, steps into the batter's box and takes an imaginary swing at the baseball, (no bat is necessary) makes a proper weight transfer and breaks toward first base.
3. Coach positions himself in fair territory in front of home plate.
4. The coach analyzes the batter's initial step and makes necessary corrections.
1. First step is a half step with the rear foot
2. Second step is a full step.
3. Both steps should be directly toward first base.
5. Optional Variation:
1. Scratch a mark in the dirt approximately nine feet from home plate on the first base foul line.
2. This distance is for adult players and may be adjusted for younger players.
3. After taking the first two steps, the player should be at the nine-foot scratch mark.

BREAK THE TAPE DRILL (Nod the Base)

Purpose: To teach the batter/runner to Nod First Base.

Procedure:

1. Players line up single file on the first base foul line. They should be approximately 30 feet from first base.
2. Players walk one at a time to first base, step on the base and simultaneous Nod the Base by bending at the waist.
3. Player must allow sufficient distance between each other (about ten feet) so that the coach has time to analyze each players approach to the base.
4. Coach positions himself in fair territory near first base and makes necessary corrections.

When the players understand the Nod the Base technique and have walked through it, repeat the drill by having the players run through it. First at half speed and then at full speed.

GLANCE DRILL

Purpose: To teach the players how to Glance-in at the ball correctly when it is hit to the shortstops right (toward third base)!

Procedure:

1. Players line up single file near home plate and out side the batter's box on their respective side of home plate.
2. Each player one at a time, steps into the batter's box and takes an imaginary swing at the ball, no bat is necessary, makes the proper weight transfer and initial step out of the batter's box and breaks toward first base.
3. On the third or fourth step, the batter/runner Glances-in correctly and reacts verbally to the coaches arm signal.
4. The coach is positioned in the area around third base on the dirt.
5. The coach points up or down with his arm.
6. The batter/runner after Glancing-in...Yells Up or Down!
7. Variation – The coach holds up one or two arms and the batter/runner after Glancing-in...Yells One or Two!
8. Coach makes necessary corrections and suggestions.

OVERTHROW DRILL

Break-Down! Look Right!

Purpose: To teach the players to break-down correctly after crossing first base to look right for a possible overthrow of the base and to react accordingly.

Procedure:

1. Player line up single file on the first foul line. They should be approximately 30 feet from first base.
2. Coach is positioned in the first base coach's box with several baseballs immediately available.
3. On command the first runner in line breaks for first base.
4. The runner steps on the base and nods the base, breaks down, and looks right for a possible overthrow.
5. As the runner crosses first base, the coach rolls a ball into foul territory. The runner reacts to the baseball, advancing or returning to first base as the position of the baseball dictates.
6. The coach may choose not to roll the baseball and the runner must return to first base correctly.
7. Coach makes necessary corrections and suggestions.

THE BOX DRILL

Once the players have a thorough understanding of the initial step, nodding the base, breaking down and looking right, the Box Drill can be used daily to reinforce these habits and techniques.

Purpose: To reinforce the technique of running from home to first base and to warm up the players bodies.

Procedure:

1. Use thrown-down bases and make a diamond with bases 45 feet apart.
2. Divide team into groups of four.
3. Each group is at a base.
4. First player in each group uses his base as a home plate.
5. Players assume their batting stance...no bats.
6. Coach is positioned in the middle of the diamond and acts as a pitcher.
7. Coach makes an imaginary pitch to one of the four bases.
8. All hitters take an imaginary swing on coach's delivery.
9. All hitters, after taking their swing, run to the base on their right.
10. Base to the right becomes the hitter's first base.
11. Hitters emphasis after imaginary swing is:
1. Initial step out of the batter's box
2. Glance-in.
3. Nodding the base.
4. Breaking Down.
5. Looking Right.
12. After all batter/runners have advanced to their first base, they go to the end of line at that base.
13. The next player in line steps up to the base and becomes the hitter. He must wait until the previous batter/runner has crossed first base to avoid a collision.
14. The coach should rotate counterclockwise when making his imaginary pitchers so all bases function as home plate.
15. The drill continues until all players have been a batter/runner at each base or as the coach dictates.

ROUNDING FIRST BASE DRILL

Purpose: To teach the players how to make the turn at first base on hits to the outfield.

Procedure:

1. Players line up at home plate.
2. One player at a time assumes his position in the batters box and takes an imaginary swing, takes the correct initial step out of the batter's box and makes the proper turn at first base.
3. Place a pylon on the outside corner for the forty-five foot running lane.
4. Place a second pylon approximately twelve feet down the first base foul line toward home plate an equal distance between the foul line and first base coach's box.
5. Players run on the outside and as close to each pylon as possible. The pylons guarantee a correct approach to first base.
6. The coach should stand in fair territory between first and second bases.
7. His position should be ten feet from first base toward second base and ten feet behind the line running from first to second base.
8. All players must pass in front of the coach when making their turns at first base to assure that they are not making too big a turn at the base.
9. The coach makes all necessary corrections and reinforces teaching points taught earlier. i.e. stepping on the inside of first base, making an aggressive turn at first base (thinking two bases), making a flat turn.

FORTY-FIVE FOOT DRILL

Purpose: To teach the players to open to the ball after rounding first base on a clean single to the outfield; to teach the players to return to first base watching the baseball; to practice rounding first base correctly.

Procedure:

1. Place a pylon on the outside corner of the start of the forty-five foot running line.
2. Place a second pylon approximately twelve feet down the first base foul line toward home plate and equal distance between the foul line and first base coach's box.
3. Place a third pylon thirty feet from first base on a direct line toward second base.
4. The coach stands ten feet behind the baseline and equal distance between first base and the pylon.
5. Players line up single file behind the first pylon at the start of the forty-five foot running lane.
6. Runners go on command, one at a time, and round first base.
1. Phase #1 – Player reacts to an imaginary hit to the outfield to the right field side of second base.
1. Player rounds first base and "opens to the ball."
2. Player "opens to the ball" by making a "clockwise turn" toward the outfielder making the play.
3. Player returns to first base watching the outfielder's imaginary return throw.
2. Phase #2 – Player reacts to an imaginary single hit to the outfield to the left field side of second base.
1. Player rounds first base and "opens to the ball."
2. Player "opens to the ball" by making a "counterclockwise turn" toward the outfielder making the play.
3. Player returns to first base watching the outfielder's imaginary return throw to first base.

STUTTER AND GO

Purpose: To give the players practice in reacting to mishandled balls in the outfield after making their turn at first base; to give the players practice in "accelerating" quickly and advancing to second base.

Procedure:

Exactly the same as previous drill except:

1. Place two pylons on a direct line between first and second base.
2. The first pylon is twenty feet from first base.
3. The second pylon is thirty feet from first base.
4. The player rounds first base as he approaches the first pylon he begins to "stutter step" (breakdown)
5. When the player reaches the second pylon (thirty feet), he accelerates and goes all out to second base. Players round first base "stutter and go!"

Good Luck!

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