What is the proper technique for fielding a baseball groundball? Learn the proper technique for fielding a groundball. Fielding a groundball in baseball is usually one of the first drills that a young baseball...
Fielding a groundball in baseball is usually one of the first drills that a young baseball player will learn. But even as time continues, no matter how many groundballs that have been fielded, something can always go wrong if the proper technique is not used.
Kevin McMullan is an assistant coach for the University of Virginia and former coach in the Atlanta Braves organization. As an assistant coach at Virginia, McMullan deals specifically with the infielders. And according to him, the technique to field a groundball is simple and always the same.
"In a perfect world, you should field the ball off your glove side eye as a right-handed fielder or your right eye as a left-handed fielder," he said. "Some people say you should throw inside your left knee or inside your thigh so you can make movement through the ball and still be in the center of the ball."
Before any player can successfully field a baseball, they must first put themselves in a prime fielding position. What this means is, if the batter is left-handed, the defense should position themselves in the perfect position for a left-handed hitter. Once the situation has been determined, the infielder should always make sure that his path from the plate to his glove is not obstructed by any debris on the field: rocks, clumps of dirt, etc.
It's common knowledge that it's easier to field a baseball grounder if you start in the optimal position. So what many experts suggest is that the infielder puts himself on a two-step preparatory procedure. What you do is, you first find the spot on the field that puts you in the best position to go either way when the ball is hit. You then take two steps back from that spot and wait for the pitcher to go through their motion.
As the ball is reaching the plate, the infielder should be simultaneously taking the two steps forward putting him back in the optimal fielding spot. Moving when the ball is being pitched does a lot of different things for the infielder. First, it allows them to stay on their toes. Nothing can be more surprising for an infielder than a groundball hit their way while they are standing on their heels. Moving forward when the baseball is pitched also can help to put the infielder in the perfect fielding position.
Most infielders will squat down to the perfect fielding position at the end of their two-step delivery. By being down closer to the ground, it's much easier for an infielder to field a baseball from the ground up, rather than from the standing position to the ground.
As the groundball approaches, McMullan gives tips on how the infielder should be ready to field the baseball.
"Picturing a triangle, your hand position should be out front to your toes," he said. "When the ball hits your glove, you take your throwing hand to your glove. This is what people call a step-through.
"From a fundamentals standpoint, I think you should stay away from putting your throwing hand behind your stride foot," he added. "You can step in front with the step-through giving you direction towards the target where you can push the glove and allow your feet to follow your glove."
