Art of the Catch
Fielding a ground ball is something often taken for granted when watching a college or professional game. The truth, however, is that it requires many years of practice to perfect the mechanics of fielding a ground ball.
There are a few things potential fielders must consider as they attempt to catch a ground ball...
When taking your position on the field, the first thing you should do is check the field condition at your position. Make sure that there are no obvious obstacles that may affect the path of a ground ball, such as rocks, gravel, or loose dirt. Large stones should be discarded and loose dirt should be tapped down. Is the grass long or has it recently rained and the grass is wet? Although you will not be able to do anything about these conditions, it is still important for you to note as you take your position on the field… long grass will slow the ball down and wet grass may cause the ball to skip.
A fielder must attempt to place himself in the proper fielding position, and this begins in an athletic position: with his knees slightly bent and shoulder width apart, bent at the waist, arms extended with elbows bent and wrists flexed so the glove is near the ground.
As the ball approaches the fielder should, when possible, attempt to field the routine ground ball at his left foot as he carries his momentum towards first base. The off hand should be used to cover the baseball as it enters the glove. This is known as covering the hop. This is done to make sure the baseball doesn't bounce out of the glove as it is being caught.
Once the ball is caught and the second hand has covered the hop, the glove should be brought in to his midsection so the fielder gains balance and control.
There are many types of throws a fielder may have to make, but right now we will discuss the basic throw. The ball should be brought from the bottom of the glove and to a position that the elbow is above the shoulder before the ball is released. As the ball is being positioned for the throw,the fielder should be setting his feet so that his feet are balanced underneath him and he begins to step with his left foot upon release of the baseball.
The fielder must consider the following: field conditions, spin of the ball, and the speed and distance the ball must travel. All of these will affect the fielders approach.
A ball that has been hit very hard and away from a fielder may cause the fielder to try and increase his range. This can be accomplished by adjusting his glove position to a backhand. A backhand should be used when a fielder feels he has reached the outer limits of his range. As the fielder moves and he realizes he must reach for the baseball, he should plant his right foot and bring his glove hand across his body in preparation of fielding the ball. It is important to note that for a right handed fielder, right hand right foot should be the rule when employing the backhand. Left hand left foot may lead to the fielder either stepping on his glove while trying to field the ball or placing the glove behind his foot as the ball approaches, causing the ball to strike the fielders shoe before reaching the glove. (For a left handed fielder, the reverse is true).
Once the fielder has his glove in the proper position and the ball is approaching he should carefully watch the ball and decide on which hop the ball should be fielded.
Once this has been decided the fielder should pick forward towards the baseball as it approaches his glove, making a positive aggressive action to the baseball. This is called picking out. Many younger fielders find themselves in the proper position, but fail to pick out, opting to pick back instead. Picking back allows the baseball to dictate to the fielder which hop the baseball should be caught. Picking back may lead to errors as the ball may take one last unexpected hop or bounce causing the ball to deflect off of the fielder’s glove.
Sidespin, no spin, top spin, or back spin? What is it, and how to identify it?
Sidespin usually occurs when a batter has hit a ball off the end of the bat. Instead of the ball bouncing end over end, it begins to spin on its side and may spin away from a fielder.
Balls hit with no spin will knuckle just like a knuckle ball. These are usually balls hit flat as a batter may have dropped his hands but still struck the ball fairly well.
Topspin occurs when a batter has struck the top half of the baseball, many times the result of a rollover swing. The ball will over rotate in a downward manner when the baseball hits the ground the second time the ball will suddenly deflect towards the outfield at an accelerated rate (known as the super ball hop).
The other spin is backspin. These are balls that have been struck properly and carry all of the speed and force the batter was able to generate.
These are the batted balls that will test the best fielders skills.
The last thing a fielder has to consider is the type of throw that has to be made. Accuracy is the key element to making throws: a fielder can make a great play on a ground ball, only to throw the ball away and fail to complete the play.
A fielder must decide what type of throw is required, usually when turning a double play a sidearm throw is the arm angle of choice of most fielders. For longer and harder throws the overhand throw is usually chosen. But remember, ability to execute an accurate throw should be the first factor considered when deciding what arm angle should be chosen.