Friday, January 18, 2008

Thoughts on warming up between innings

Typically teams run out onto the field for a very brief period of time. In that time the 1B flips balls to the infielders and they return the throw. Outfielders throw to each other which often relegates one of the wing outfielders with a partner from the bench.
I'm not suggesting that what I'm about to write is a better way to do it. In fact, some people might think it's counterproductive. But, I think it does have some merit and is something to consider.

Infielders could practice double play balls. The feed and pivot is something that is certainly harder to practice than just throwing balls to 1B. Maybe if infielders had multiple balls out there they could practice their double play routine and rep the idea of "turning two."

Example: 1B throws the ball to the 3B who takes it and fires to the 2B to start a double play. 2B relays to the 1B. 1B throws to SS and the double play is started again. 1B throws to 2B and he now feeds the SS and the double play is turned. The cycle would then repeat itself.

A simple adjustment could be made that in odd innings you get one out(the normal routine) while in even innings you record two outs.

In addition, the outfielders could stretch their arms a little bit more since there throws are usually a little longer than normal. The right and left fielder could play catch while the centerfielder would throw with a bench buddy. It makes each person throw the ball significantly farther.

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