Here is our list of things all teams need to make sure they cover before the season starts. You can download our full checklist of over 100 skills to practice at the bottom of this article.

Infield

Forehand
Backhand
One hand
Two hand
Backhand crossover
One hops
Charging slow rollers
Rundowns
Covering Bases
Bunt coverage
Receiving Throws
Tag Plays
Infield Fly
Interference
Obstruction
Flips
Pop up precedence
Looking for the next out
Holding runners on
When to hold runners
Pickoff plays
Backing up behind pitcher
Bobbled balls

Outfield

Coming In
Going Back – Drop Step
Fielding ball on the ground
Do or die
Ball off fence
Ball in sun

Baserunning

First Base Leadoffs
Second Base Leadoffs
Third Base Leadoffs
Secondary Leads
Reading Wild Pitches
Stealing Second
Stealing Third
Stealing Home

Base Coaches

Commands: Round, Look, Go, Back
Signs

Sliding

Popup Slides
Diving Back on Pickoffs

Balls in the Air

Tagging Up
Going Halfway on Popups
Freezing on a Line Drive
Seeing Liners Through

Managing the Running Game

Holding a Runner On
Holding a Runner Close
Pickoff moves to first base
Lefty Pickoff Moves
Pickoff moves to second base
Pickoff moves to third base
First and third plays
Covering a base
Tagging a runner

Defensive Positioning

Infield Depths
Outfield Shifts
Infield In

Learn More:

Infield Defensive Strategy and Player Positioning

Outfield Defensive Strategy and Player Positioning

Getting the Ball in From the Outfield

Cutoffs
Relays
Double Relays

Pitcher and Catcher

Calling Pitches
Pitch Sequences
Calling pickoffs and pitchouts
Back picks

Position Specific Skills

It is a good idea to devote time to covering position specific skills with players who play that position or the whole team if appropriate.

First Baseman

Throws in the dirt
Coming off the bag
Positioning with Runner – holding, in front or behind

Classroom Work

Important Rules
Sportsmanship
Nutrition
Our Quizzes

As you can see from this list, there is a lot to cover during your preseason practices. Our partner Baseball Zone covers all of these topics in their preseason practice plans. Get a discount by using the code MYB.

Baseball Situations Quiz

Do you know the essentials of baseball situations with runners on and the ball put in play? Take our baseball situations quiz and test your knowledge!

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