Softball Practice Drills – Three Throws from the Catcher

Purpose: To practice receiving three different throws from the softball catcher. The catcher is working on the techniques involed in three plays at the same time: passed ball,  bunt, and pickoff.

Procedure: The first baseman catches the following throws and places the ball in a bucket by the base.

1. The pitcher throws to the catcher, who intentionally lets the pitch get behind her. The catcher recovers the ball and throws to the outside of first base (1).

2. After catching the second pitch, the catcher throws the ball out in front of the plate to simulate a bunt. She goes after the ball and throws it to the first baseman, who is calling "inside" and giving a target there (2).

3. Last, the catcher signals for a pitchout and after receiving the pitch, throws to the inside of the bag for a pickoff (3).