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 must move away, not hover.
Variation: For younger kids, call it out for them: “Shortstop’s got it.” For older kids, add a base runner and a throw to a base after the catch. That’s the complete play.