John Taft’s Weekly Tips: Fielding a Ground Ball

Ready Position Before the ball is pitched players need to start in what we call, “The ready position.” The hands should hang low between the legs, with the glove open wide. From this ready position, the player can get a good jump on the ball and move quickly in the direction it is hit.

Moving to the Ball

When a ground ball is hit in a player’s direction, he should move to the ball, keeping his glove-side shoulder to the right of the ball if he is right-handed (or to the left of the ball if he is left-handed). While leading with the glove hand out, players should stay low to the ground and get into position so that his/her body is directly in front of the ball.

Field the Ball out in front

After moving to the ball, the player moves his/her glove-side foot forward to center the body on the ball, the feet should be more than shoulder-width apart, with the toes pointed straight ahead. When the ball arrives, the player should watch it into the glove and then trap it with the throwing hand. The player then cushions the ball toward his/her body, bringing the hands to the belt area, also called funneling the ball, and move into throwing position.