Beginners Softball Throwing Drills - Double-play Throws

Purpose: This drill teach young children how to throw a softball and more specefically how to execute double plays which provides a real boost for a defense - and slashes the workload for the pitcher. The responsibility of starting double plays often falls on the shortstop's lap, which is why she should be the most sure-handed fielder. The double-play throws drills works well for honing those all-important double-play skills.

Procedure: The shortstop and second baseman take their positions at double-play depth, and the first baseman takes her normal position. Place one base runner at first and one next to the coach at home plate. The coach begins by hitting a ground ball to the second baseman, at which point the runners take off. The player fields the ball and depending on how close she is to second base, delivers an underhand toss or a regular throw to the shortstop, who has run to cover the bag. The shortstop catches the throw, pivots around the bag, and relays the ball to first base. The oncoming runner should simulate game action and make the shortstop's throw to first more challenging. To mix things up, some balls can be hit up the middle so the shortstop or second baseman - whoever can get their glove on the ball - is forced to make plays on her own.