Pop-ups are the easiest outs to mess up. Kids hesitate, two fielders run at the same ball, and the ball drops. Loud communication fixes this.
Equipment needed: 10 softballs, a bucket, four fielders (any positions), open space.
Setup: Spread four fielders around an infield (short, second, third, first). You stand in the middle with the bucket.
How to run it:
- Pop a ball up to a location (short left, right center, behind home, etc.).
- The fielders go for it. Whoever is closest calls “I got it” loud and repeating.
- The other fielders call “Take it” and back off.
- The fielder makes the catch.
- Do 10 pops to different locations.
What to look for: Who’s calling and who’s backing off. The kid who calls must be loud. The kid backing off must move away visibly.
Variation: For younger kids (8-9), you call it out: “Shortstop’s got it.” For older kids (10), add a base runner and a throw to a base.