PicknPivot
@PicknPivot
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Connor Laeng | Tweets generally about intricacies of infield play | Resource for coaches & players | @CLHitting
Irvine, CA
Joined June 2023
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2023 Glove Glove 3B Matt Chapman Case Study 📊
• Lane/Hand versatility, going both to his right and left with one hand
• High volume of 4-step and on the run plays
•Comfortable w/ backhand going in & back
•Great internal clock
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Love using rapid fire drills. How consistent and clean can you make your move over and over again
If you can do 5 in a row with no bobble & throw it in the same spot, the game should be easier and our focus should elevate
📸
@sfgiants
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Long Beach State I/O routine
Great job of getting left foot in direction of the target on catch. No wasted movement, all momentum going toward target
Super clean and efficient actions from these guys
📸
@SteveDoherty643
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809
Be on time every time. Lock in for each pitch of every game
Dominate the small details. When you’re not ready, the ball typically finds you
Want the ball to be hit to you
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Walk the line drill
Love to use as a warm on days when I’m working angles either at 3B or 1B. Attach your eyes to your glove, get behind it
3B/1B is all about creating and closing space while controlling posture and rhythm
📸
@SFGiants
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Anthony Volpe dominating the small details on each rep
Clear focus on the catch and transfer here. Gets to the common exchange point on each rep
Great rhythm/timing into each hop and momentum to target. Direction > Distance
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Early work with the
@vandyboys
Notice the exaggerated posture working from the ground up to warm it up for the day
Love the flat pad to focus on catching it in the kill spot each time. Many throwing errors are a result of catching errors
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Anthony Volpe flamingo drill early work
Great drill to trigger post catch foot patterns and rhythm into the catch in prep work
Love the focus on securing the catch and the intent to press through to get each short hop
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USC infielders working to lengthen the hop
Creating space to create the hop they want instead of getting the in between one
Not every ball requires you to attack. Dance to the song the game plays
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Volpe barehand backhand work to get loose
Love the intent to get his eyes behind the catch to see it all the way in
No wasted reps, there’s a reason why he is one of the best defenders in the game
#PicknPivot
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Anthony Volpe body control backhand on the run
Great view of prep step and getting the information on the descent
One of the more common plays shortstops get over the course of a season
📸
@Yankees
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The best find a way to be in rhythm to whatever the game dictates, but it starts in practice
Build good habits and challenge yourself so the game becomes easier
Volpe is one of my favorites to watch in today’s game
#PicknPivot
📸
@Yankees
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Josh Jung prep work
Notice he presses through each short hop and where his eyes at the moment of the catch
Love the use of the cut to emphasize catching it out front
📸
@rangers
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Bryce Harper Early Work
Notice how he plays under each ball and he only shortens hops that require shortening
Great drill to create more game like reps and get first baseman comfortable around the bag
📸
@Phillies
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Jeremy Peña knee drill to warm the hands up
Notice the thumb down to thumb up move on the backhand. The eyes go to the kill spot each time, you can’t catch what you can’t see
Simple & repeatable moves on time every time
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Freddie Freeman Opening Day Early Work
Don’t neglect the little things
Get your daily vitamins in each day
📸
@jonmorosi
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Brandon Crawford prep work
Notice how subtle/quiet his glove is and how he is working on the side of the ball which allows him to see spin, speed, and hops much easier
@heatersports
creating consistent hops while challenging to catch it in the right spot
📸
@Xavier_Scruggs
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Kolten Wong backhand DP feed
Love how he uses his legs to feed and follow it. Posture stays the same, doesn’t try to add anything with upper half/arms
Go shake your partners hand
#PicknPivot
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Great view of
@PurdueBaseball
SS creating space on a tough ground ball
He does a great job of lengthening this hop and allowing the feed to 2B to be much easier. Your feet create your hops
Nothing beats live reps at game speed. Take advantage of your BP time
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Great drill to create more realistic game like reads within daily ground ball work
Challenges the infielder with different spin, hops, and exit velocities. Adds the element of reading varying bat angles
Add it to your toolbox 🧰
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JP Crawford DP Flip
Reminders for SS flipping to 2B:
• Flip it from where you catch it
• Get the glove out of the way
• Go shake the 2B hand
• It’s the 2B job to be quick, give him the best feed so he can finish the play
@mariners
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Renato Núñez working with Bobby Dickerson on tags at 3B
Keys here:
- Pick it & keep glove action low to go straight to tag
- Catch it first
- Be aggressive with the ball post catch
- Thumb down to thumb up cue here works well
📸
@Orioles
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Angled/staggered pre-pitch starts
These help clear the hips to make a clean first move and work different angles on the X
The finish of the rep typically ends in a lane or hop that you’d run greater distance for. Helps manage workload
📸
@sfgiants
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Great view of prep step being on time & in sync
- Expect the ball every pitch
- As fast as you can > As fast as you can’t
- Controlled speed & Accurate Feeds > Reckless & Out of Control
Great reminder of how fast it happens. Do you practice at this speed?
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Luis Arraez early work with the flat pad
Notice everything is caught out front with his eyes down
It’s important to have a routine to get you ready for the game. Everyone has different needs; therefore, everyone’s routine should be different
#PicknPivot
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Great view of
@treavturner
letting the ball travel and putting the tag straight down
Ball travels faster than your hand/arm will, let it travel then slap the tag down as quick as possible
📸
@Phillies
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Personally really enjoy utilizing this drill. Love how it creates more realistic game-like reps
When I do it, I feel it takes my focus to another level and helps me pay attention to bat path, hops, spin, and speed much more than regular fungo work
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Adames being quick but not in a hurry. Give the 2B the best feed you can
There’s a difference between how fast you can and how fast you can’t
#PicknPivot
📸
@RaysBaseball
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Jackson Holliday 2B double play backhand flip
- Right foot creates optimal direction & timing
- Thumb down, lead w/ elbow
- “L, R, L” Footwork
- Ball to glove = Right foot toes to ground
📸
@Orioles
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2023 Gold Glove SS Anthony Volpe Case Study📊
• High volume of 4-step pattern
• Ability to play with 1 hand
• Comfortability with fielding & throwing on the run
• High rate of 2 hand plays due to position demands, not as many GB’s needing extensive range
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Reminder to get your daily vitamins in today
You’re never too good to do the little things right consistently
📸
@Rangers
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Anthony Volpe barehand prep work
Notice the exchange at his midline and post catch foot patterns on a non-throwing rep
📸
@Yankees
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Linder emphasizing the catch and tracking it all the way in
Many throwing errors are result of catching errors. When we catch balls poorly, we synchronize poorly which it leads to throwing errors
Bury your head/eyes and secure the catch
📸
@SNYtv
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Kean Wong DP pivots at 2nd
Smaller the steps, the quicker the turn. Right goes exchange, left goes throw
Harder you work your feet, the easier the exchange is. 2 handed exchange always quicker than reaching with 1 hand
📸
@sfgiants
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Dansby Swanson backhand work
Notice the sharp angels he takes on each of these, no work is done at or near the outfield grass. Everything is working downhill along the X
The footwork post catch as well goes straight toward first base
📸
@LieutenantDans7
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Anthony Volpe on the run full speed in practice
Gold glover who routinely goes against the clock at 3.8 and 4.0 second clips
There is a difference in how fast you can, and how fast you can’t. Only one of them plays, challenge yourself daily at full speed
📸
@Yankees
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Ozzie Albies warming up the backhand before the NLCS in 2020
Look how relaxed his arm/hand is until right before it’s time to press through. Love how he buries his eyes at catch as well
Good things happen when we catch it out front
#PicknPivot
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Nick Ahmed pregame work with the mini glove
Love how he touches on a variety of play types that the game demands you have answers for
📸
@NickAhmed13
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Dansby Swanson prep work with the flat pad
Notice he works through each ball and kills each hop. You can hear there’s no rattle or bobble
The game is played out front just like hitting
📸
@lieutenantdans7
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Francisco Lindor DP Flip
- Use your legs & shake the 2nd baseman’s hand
- Get glove out of way & flip it from where you catch it
- Catch w/ left foot open to 2B to clear a lane for arm (when possible)
📸
@SNYtv
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Carlos Correa backhand prep work
Notice the timing of his left foot to the moment he catches the ball and where his eyes go. It’s hard to catch something you can’t see
Correa is only presses through the hops that require shortening
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One of the most iconic prep steps ever
Do what works best for you as long as you’re on time
Absolutely loved watching Pedroia play. High energy guy who always knew where to be
#PicknPivot
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Kneeling backhand work with the flat glove and
@Libkepro
wrist tool. Trying to kill the hop and get it to stop quickly
My feel here was fingers back
Your arm takes you through it and the hand just absorbs it
@InfieldVitamins
x
@Libkepro
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4 T’s of Catch Play
• Tasks — throwing and receiving
• Throwing Slot — don’t throw out of money slot every time
• Tempo — sometimes fast, slow, or in the middle
• Target — what am I aiming at? Small target 🎯 = smaller misses
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Go find yourself a wall and get better today
Great way to get better without having to rely on someone else to be with you. Just you, a ball, and a wall
Throw it off the wall and let your imagination run free
📸
@Mariners
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One of the best to ever do it at 3B getting loose in early work
Love how he incorporates the feet with the hands here
Stationary work it’s important but getting the body moving all together before live reps is essential
📸
@hochman
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Good look of
@gobearcatsbase
2B flips on DP turns
Great look at the timing/direction of the right foot as well as flipping it from where we catch it
Remember the closer we get to 2B to more loft/air you put under your flip. The farther from 2B, the firmer the flip must be
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More Volpe early work, barehanded reps
Notice each rep there’s a clear focus on catching it than getting it to his midline for the exchange
Simple cue for the backhand here is thumb down to thumb up
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Sometimes you gotta have fun with it and see what you can do
Love watching Chapman work at his craft
#PicknPivot
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Mauricio Dubon infield in non-throwing reps
Notice how he sets his feet to home instead of just his eyes checking the runner. If you only check with your eyes, you have to take more time to get feet to home
📸
@SFGiants
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Kneeling short hop work with the
@Libkepro
pocket glove
Working on staying through the hop and not extending out too early
Loved using this glove, made me really focus on where I was catching it. Great tool to add to your toolbox
@InfieldVitamins
x
@Libkepro
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Mauricio Dubón early work
Notice the subtle glove action and eyes down at catch
Love the willingness to fail/ challenge himself with lighter implements at higher speeds with tough hops
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Last set of data from the 2023 Anthony Volpe Case Study
Interesting data that could impact environmental design when it comes to practice
More case studies to come in the near future
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Great weekend of work with
@InfieldVitamins
&
@Libkepro
Best infield guys in Vegas hands down, their knowledge is off the charts and their ability to teach infield play is on another level also
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Jackson Holliday back hand, body control play on the run
Notice vertical glove with fingers down, glove twirl, to get belt buckle towards the target and throwing from a high 3/4 slot
📸
@Orioles
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Patrick Wisdom DP Feed to 2B
Notice subtle move with his feet to get his eyes on the side in order to see hops better
Simple 2 step pattern from a lower arm slot with a 2 hand funnel
📸
@Cubs
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Gleyber Torres spin move to his left
Notice how he flows into and out of the spin under control while getting his belt buckle towards his target
Depth of catch is good predictor of whether to spin or not usually
📸
@Yankees
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Anthony Volpe glove side on the run. There’s freedom in playing with one hand
Notice since he is in rhythm, he throws on the run instead of setting his feet. Also note, the glove tap for rhythm into throw.
Love hearing the communication as well
📸
@MLB
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Trea Turner spin move
Great look at depth of catch leading him into the spin and the ability to throw off balance
Key with the spin move is to keep everything tight like a figure skater does when they spin. Get the head turned as fast as possible to the target
📸
@Phillies
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More Matt Chapman case study data, fly ball direction with handiness of hitter plus average LA & EV on ground balls
• Heavy distribution of fly balls came from LHH
• Nearly 89% of Chapman’s assists to 1B came from RHH
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Marcelo Mayer getting down hill into a 4 step pattern
Notice reach with one hand to get the short hop and the glove tap for rhythm into the throw
Ball hits dirt in front of plate, go get it
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Christopher Morel rake backhand into 4 step pattern
Notice the thumb down to thumb up glove action and how he utilizes a glove tap for rhythm into the throw
📸
@WatchMarquee
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Mookie Betts double play feeds from second base
Notice how low he stays throughout the entire play
📸
@Dodgers
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Arenado body control back hand double play feed
Notice how he turns the corner and gets his belt buckle towards the target 🎯
Vertical glove (fingers down) into quarter turn to transfer
📸
@Cardinals
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Francisco Lindor 4 step pattern to his left
Clean funnel and transfer at the center of his body
Speed of ball/runner dictate the pace at which you play at and what patterns you can use
📸
@SNY_Mets
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Don’t overlook the pick by Lamonte Wade Jr. on the back end
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Matt Shaw backhand on the run
Notice how he utilizes the long hop here. Don’t be afraid to use it when the game asks for it
Remember: Long hop or no hop
📸
@WatchMarquee
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Jalin Flores body control backhand on the run
Unreal job of getting belt buckle to target and getting rid of this ball in a hurry
Athleticism and instincts on full display here
📸
@TexasBaseball
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2023 Gold Glove SS Anthony Volpe Fly Ball/Line Drive Data based on hitter handedness & direction of fly balls
• Pretty evenly distributed based on LHH vs RHH
•Small sample size but interesting data that could influence practice design when it comes to fly balls in INF
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Love this clip of Story talking about balls to his right
Know your strengths and what you prefer to do depending on what the game gives you
Practice ➡️ Game ✅
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Bregman Backhand
Thumb down to thumb up into 4 step pattern with glove tap to keep rhythm and fluidity
#fridayfielders
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Don’t neglect post catch footwork patters during non-throwing reps
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Bregman on-the-run, one hand press, & gather with glove tap into 4 step pattern.
- Very rarely will we be punished for being aggressive with our glove
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Jackson Holliday working on some double plays at second base
Notice how under control he is going into the spin and how he plants on the right leg
📸
@d_allentuck
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Manny Machado spin move to his left
Notice the depth of catch naturally carries him into a spin. Dance with the ball & follow its lead
📸
@Padres
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Officially entered the transfer portal
Graduate transfer with 3.7 GPA
1 year of eligibility remaining, willing to GA to finish my masters program
Open to all opportunities right now
High baseball IQ and hardest worker you’ll meet
Email or DM if interested
connorlaeng
@yahoo
.com
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Dansby Swanson early work. Simple & effective daily vitamin drill work
Notice the positive glove action on each of these reps
📸
@watchmarquee
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Naturally we want to start moving backward when we use two hands. We have to be disciplined to keep hands out front. Retreat when the ball hits your glove, not before.
Simple cue: Hold the Line
Glove Presentation: 2-Hand Lane
✅ Glove Hand: Hinged wrist; Fingertips down; Expanded pocket; Thumb between 10 & 11 o’clock
✅ Throwing Hand: Vertical (hovering above glove hand); Thumb between 11 & 12 o’clock
✅ Both Hands: Relaxed; Out, in front of body/👀s
#FridayFielders
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Exactly right. As Kai Correa says, “Early is the ultimate late.”
Prep Step: Being on time or a tad late optimizes the chances on multiple ground balls types. Early results in false steps that limit the amount of plays a fielder can make. On time or a little late allows for more information off the barrel and allows for a decision on descent.
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Being on time allows you to set up in front of the bag and walk the tight rope down the line.
Adjustability and versatility come from starting in front.
If you’re late or set up in the middle, you have no chance at these tags.
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Lots of great information in here from
@codydennis97
. Love the data and development ideas
Check out my recent presentation regarding Infield Play- I tried to give you as much as I could in 25 min 👍
Thanks again to
@coachkrato
for having me
#InfieldPlay
via
@YouTube
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Matt McClain one hand, on the run into a 3 step pattern. Notice how subtle his glove action is
Tough ball to make clean exchange, but keeps it close/inside his body and executes it perfectly
📸
@Reds
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Throwback Swanson at Vandy
Pregame work: notice the emphasis he puts on securing the catch before flipping it to 2nd
Catch it clean ➡️ Transfer it clean
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Shoutout the legend
@ThatGuy__Kai
for the drill inspiration and reasoning behind rapid fire work
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Balls ranging to the left, depth of the catch determines whether to spin or counter your momentum and throw on the run or set your feet and get square to your target
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“He makes that play because he’s a big leaguer.”
Test your limits and challenge your athleticism daily. Expand your routine.
You might be surprised on just what type of plays you can make even at a young age.
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Can’t expect to make this play if you don’t experiment with arm angles in catch play.
Same goes for infielders, don’t overlook your daily catch play and grounders between innings.
Throwback to Hedges fielding this low exit velo out in front of home plate.
Be. An. Athlete.
Work on in your catch play/pregame different arm angles and postures.
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Don’t get tired of doing the little things daily. They add up over time.
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Chapman pregame work.
Game-like reps, high intent, & nature of GB’s.
Keys 🔑 to backhand on the run:
- Vertical glove with fingers down
- Small glove twirl (1/4 turn)
- Get belt buckle to the target
Can’t expect to make the play if you never go full speed in practice.
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Spot on! Be comfortable using one hand in all lanes. The game dictates it.
Let your natural athleticism show.
“In only 25% of those quadrants are you fielding with two hands…the one hand was more valuable and the growth I saw in players as a result was ridiculous”
Listen to Eugene talk about why he thinks learning to field with one hand should be first and that two hands is the more
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Very rarely will we be punished for being aggressive with our glove. Very often we will be punished for being passive with our glove. Don’t be afraid to go get the short one.
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Dance to the song the game plays. Show that adjustability
Speed & trajectory of baseball + speed of runner = INF Read x Route.
💡Just because initial move is forward, doesn’t mean we are prohibited from moving back if time allows.
💡Know when to attack vs drop step based on the formula.
💡Create hop YOU want based on the formula.
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Notice how subtle his glove actions are and where his eyes are at when he catches the ball
• 3B is all about create space and closing space
• Be comfortable using one hand in all lanes
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Rundown Thoughts
- No Throws > 1 Throw
- Establish throwing lane
- Throw when shoulders turn and committed to base, make him commit
- Shoulders parallel, outrun him and tag him
- Pump fakes are fine IF you’re running full tilt and the runners shoulders are parallel to baseline
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Absolutely love this. Outs are everywhere. Don’t be afraid to take charge. Watching
@NickMadrigal_3
at OSU was special
Got to catch up with
@gpickit25
today. He has told me this story about
@NickMadrigal_3
for years. Always grateful anytime I get to listen to Gary talk baseball.
@egbaseballdad
@egherdbaseball
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Outs are everywhere. Pay attention to what the game is telling you
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