After getting snowed out the week before, the team participated in its third winter training session on February 1, 2026.

Group Lesson: Getting Ready Before the Pitch

To demonstrate the importance of getting ready before the pitch – and exactly what it means to “get ready” – we asked Devin and Liam to race each other. All the kids voted on who they thought would win (Devin).

The coaches then told the kids, “get ready, get set,” which prompted both boys to get low in a runner’s crouch, ready to race. Upon asking why they did that, everyone agreed that it was a good idea to get ready before starting to run.

We then asked who would win the race if Devin could not get into a stance but just had to start by standing straight up in place but Liam was able to get in a runner’s crouch. All the kids agreed Liam would likely win in that scenario.

Finally, we asked what if Liam was allowed to start a step or two behind the starting line and get a running start? It was unanimous that Liam would win that race.

And, this is exaclty like getting ready in the field as the pitch is thrown! It is a head start.

We emphasized the need to not merely crouch down or bend your knees, but for infielders to to actually take a step forward and “hop” to get ready as the pitch is being delivered.

This is something the coaches are going to emphasize at every practice and every game. We told the team that our hope is that this becomes so ingrained in them that the coaches never have to yell “get ready” during games this summer!

Read more on this here.

Stations

Station 1: Sliding Station

Players were shown the proper form and technique for sliding (found here).

Then, they practiced this technique using a sliding mat (videos below).

Station 2: Outfield Drills

A major hurdle kids have at this level in the outfield is playing the ball to the side rather than getting underneath it. We ran some drills designed to show the kids the proper technique while also giving them some confidence.

First, the coaches showed the proper technique for getting underneath a baseball. (Getting behind the ball, catch at highest point, as you come forward.) 

Then we ran the “hat drill” to emphasize the need to get underneath the ball to catch it.

• Each player took off his hat and then held it in his mouth.
• Using smush balls, coaches threw fly balls to the players.
• The players were required to judge the fly ball and move forward to catch the ball in their hats.
• The emphasis was on tracking the ball, getting behind it, and then coming forward to make the “catch.”

Station 3: Tee Work With Heavy Bats

Using CamWood “heavy” bats (one handed and full size), we worked on the proper technique for loading and then generating bat speed as we attack the baseball on our swings.

These training bats really force kids to focus on proper form and generating bat speed.

We worked on one handed swings with a small bat (top and lower hand) and then transitioned into using the heavy bat. For that drill, the kids took two swings with the heavy bat and then two swings with their regular bats.

Station 4: Soft Toss

The last station was a soft toss station.

Contest

At the end of practice, we also ran a fielding challenge. We divided the boys up into three teams, and they chose their positions on the infield. We then hit gorundballs to the kids and counted how many times each team made the play correctly (no bobbles, fielded correctly, accurate throw, to the right base, etc.). The winners received packs of baseball cards.

Awards

Devin was awarded the MVP for his stellar fielding during the team contest as well as his great work at each station. Troy received the Heart and Hustle Award because of his terrific effort throughout practice, with multiple coaches commenting on his hard work.

Videos