Softball Throwing Drills – Hit the Relay

Purpose: Fastpitch softball defense drill, used to let players have a chance to execute accurate relay throws.

Description: Play on a field appropriate for the age group, with three players – one at right field, one at second base, and one at third base (for slow pitch, you might also include the short fielder in addition to or in place of the second base player to give her experience at relaying throws). Hit or throw the ball so the right fielder needs to move to get it. The fielder throws to the second base player, who is acting as the relay to throw the ball to third. Award one point for a successful catch or stop by the right fielder, one point for throws caught in the air by the second base player, and one point for relays to third base in which the third base player catches the ball in good position to make a tag play. After the three players have scored six points, rotate them to different positions – the right fielder becomes the third base player, and the third base player becomes the right fielder. When each player has had the chance to practice each part of the relay, bring in three new players.