Baseball Ground Balls
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A ground ball (also known as a “grounder”) is a baseball that is hit low to the ground so that it bounces or rolls. Keep reading to learn about ground balls, how to field them, and some techniques you should employ as a fielder.
Table of Contents
- Fielding Ground Balls
- Types of Ground Balls
- Bad Hops
- Up the Middle
- Down the Line
- How to Field a Ground Ball
- FAQ
Fielding Ground Balls
Ground balls are typically fielded by infielders, who position themselves in front of the baseball, squat slightly, and place their gloves close to the ground so the baseball can simply bounce into the glove. Once they have possession of the baseball, they quickly throw it to another infielder to put a runner out or step on the base closest to them if a runner is approaching it.
Types of Ground Balls
There are three main types of ground balls:
- Bad hops
- Hits up the middle
- Hits down the line
Bad Hops
Bad hops are ground balls that unexpectedly and suddenly bounce in another direction, sometimes in front of an infielder just as they are about to field it. Bad hops are notorious for bouncing sharply up, which can be dangerous for an infielder as it might hit his chin or face.
However, bad hops can go in any direction. They are usually caused by imperfections in the infield dirt, such as any large pebbles, concentrated piles of dirt, or dips. They can also be caused if the baseball has a certain spin.
Up the Middle
A baseball hit up the middle is a ball that travels through the center of the field. That is, the batter hits the baseball so that it travels past the pitcher’s mound, over second base, and into center field. Batters often get a hit and reach base when they hit baseballs up the middle since there is usually not a fielder directly on second base. (The second baseman and shortstop tend to stand on either side of second base, but not directly next to it.)
Down the Line
A baseball that is hit down the line is a type of ball that travels along one of the foul lines and is typically a ground ball. The baseball will bounce very close to the line or even on the line, but it stays fair. If the baseball bounces into foul territory, it is no longer a baseball hit down the line but simply a foul ball. Baseballs hit down the line are notoriously tricky for fielders because they must run all the way to the edge of the field to retrieve the baseball, and sometimes they cannot tell if the baseball is fair or foul. A baseball hit down the line will often result in a hit for the batter.
How to Field a Ground Ball
Follow these steps to properly field a ground ball:
- Approach the ball in a low, athletic stance.
- Keep advancing until the first hop, then decide if you want to field it on the first or second hop.
- Position yourself in a V-shape formation on the field, with yourself at the bottom and the ball and the first basemen at the upper points.
- Take a step with each foot, then square up to catch the ball.
- Stay relaxed, and work through the baseball’s path as you catch it, keeping a straight wrist.
- Funnel the ball to your chest and transfer it to your throwing hand.
- Don’t rush and shuffle your feet to get in position, if necessary, before making the throw to first base.
FAQ
What is a ground ball in baseball?
In baseball, a ground ball is a ball that is hit very close to the ground, so that it rolls or bounces along the field, making it a bit more difficult to catch. While ground balls typically do not get much distance, they can be hard to field, as they can bounce sharply in unusual directions and are often very fast and hard to track.
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Pages Related to Baseball Ground Balls
- Baseball Ground Rules
- Baseball Fighting Rules
- Baseball Force Plays
- Baseball Fly Ball
- Baseball Infield Fly Rules
- Baseball Innings
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Baseball 101: The Ground Ball
Sue Pierce
| 3 min read
For the youngest baseball and softball players, fielding a ground ball is a numbers game – more balls will be rolling on the ground than hit high into center field. Teaching your players how to stop those grounders will make playing defense more exciting.
And while scooping up the ball is important, knowing what to do with the ball once it’s scooped is next level.
The approach
It all begins with ready position – palms up, knees bent, ready for whatever the next play brings. Then, if a grounder gets hit in the infield, encourage your players to charge the ball as it’s rolling toward them. It’s better to be early than late so there’s enough time to get into position. It’s a gradual, low-and-slow approach. “Land like an airplane, not like a helicopter,” says longtime youth baseball coach Dan Keller.
The fielding triangle
To properly field a ground ball, players should be in a fielding triangle position. The feet are two corners of the triangle, and the glove is on the ground out in front is the top of the triangle.
Kids can physically draw the triangle in the dirt, says Keller. Then have them step into the triangle – right foot first, then left, then bend at the knees to get their hands out and down.
The fielding triangle gets kids down low so they can see hops better and easily adjust their bodies to get in front of the ball. “It’s the optimal position for fielding success,” adds Keller.
Three steps
The ground ball is now in the fielder’s glove — now, what? Keller likes to teach what happens next in three steps. He follows a “ground up” philosophy, starting with the feet.
Step one: Exit footwork. Best way to teach kids how to field grounders? Work backward.
Start from the triangle position – the ball already in the player’s glove. Now think exit footwork. A right-handed thrower steps with their right foot, ankle eye toward their target, then left foot steps. Arms go up in a throwing position, shuffle and throw. Reverse the foot order for lefties.
Getting exit footwork down is key is making a fast play. The more reps, the more automatic it becomes.
Step two: The pop. Now, the exit footwork gets a little peppier. The right step, left step taken after the ball is in the glove becomes a pop. “It’s that athletic movement, like a surfer popping up to his surfboard,” says Keller. “It becomes a jump turn.” Still keeping that right-left rhythm, the player makes a quick jump from the fielding triangle to the throwing position.
Step three: The side shuffle. “Add lateral movement,” says Keller. Roll balls toward one side of a player so they have to shuffle sideways to center their body to the ball. Then they can get low and field it between their feet from the triangle position. Time to make the play! Kids finish it up with a pop, shuffle and throw.
Dan Keller is part of MOJO’s Partnerships & Strategy team.
How to Catch a Cricket Ball (with Pictures)
Catching is a basic game skill and one of the most important aspects of cricket. In a match, you’ll need to field overhead, chest-height and ground balls, so work on mastering a range of grappling and defensive techniques. In addition, catching a cricket ball requires excellent hand-eye coordination, so exercise regularly to improve your ability.
Steps
Part one of 4: Mastering the Orthodox Cup
one Keep the starting position low and balanced. Stand with your feet slightly wider than your shoulders and your knees bent. Keep your weight on the balls of your feet and evenly distribute the weight on each foot. Be ready to jump in any direction to reach the ball.
- Starting with a good stance, you will be sure that you are ready to react to the ball.
- Remember to always keep an eye on the ball.
2 Hold your hands palms up and touch with your little fingers. The orthodox cup is a basic grip used to catch balls at chest level or below. Position your hands so that they form a wide cup or bucket with little fingers touching. The palms should be facing up and out, and the fingers should be extended.
- Use your hands to create as much surface area as possible to catch the ball.
- Keep your hands relaxed and soft as the ball is more likely to bounce off hard hands.
3 Raise your arms towards your body to catch the ball. Fold your arms as the ball approaches and hold them to meet the ball. Try to keep your arms relatively close to your body when you catch the ball, instead of fully extending your arms. When the ball touches your hands, pull your arms towards your torso to absorb the impact and control the ball.
- Keep your arms relatively close to your body to avoid dropping the ball. Also, you are more likely to get injured if you try to catch a speed ball with your arms outstretched.
4 Slightly change the grip for the side grips. To catch a ball coming your way, grasp your hands with an orthodox grip and line them up on the side the ball is approaching. Bend your torso towards the ball and place your arms sideways so that one thumb is pointing up and the other is pointing down.
- For example, if the ball is flying towards your right side, place your left hand on your chest and fold your right hand palms so that they are in line with the ball.
- Your fingers should be spread apart and pointing to the right, thumbs pointing up and down, and palms pointing up and out to be ready to receive the ball.
- When you catch the ball from the side, remember to keep your arms close to your body to absorb the impact and maintain control.
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Part 2 of 4: Getting High Catches
one Hold hands together with palms facing away from body. To make a reverse cup, interlock your thumbs and forefingers so that your hands form a web. When the high ball approaches, raise your hands and place them in the reverse bowl. Try to catch the ball as close to eye level as possible.
- Remember to keep your arms relaxed when they are folded. The ball will bounce if it becomes hard.
- Reverse cup is the best way to get a high catch, but in some cases you will need to use an orthodox cup. For example, if you need to make a high grip on the run, you may not have enough time to set the reverse cup position.
2 Line up with the approaching ball and stand with your knees bent. Watch for an incoming ball, state your name or say “I understand” and line up under the ball. Do a reverse cup and stand with your knees slightly bent to absorb the impact of the ball.
- Calling when approaching the ball helps to avoid confusion on the field. You don’t want to run into another fielder and drop the ball.
3 When catching the ball, pull your hands to your shoulder. Try to catch the ball at eye level, then bring your hands to your body to the left or right. It is important to send the ball over the shoulder, and not directly in the face. If your face is in the path of an accelerating ball, you could break your nose or suffer other facial injury.
- The momentum of the ball can push it to your right or left side, but if possible pull it into your dominant side. This way you will be set to throw with your dominant hand.
- Be sure to pull the ball and arms into your body to maintain control. Do not stretch your arms, lower your arms or bend over while catching.
4 Use an orthodox grip if you are trying to catch a high ball. You can use the standard catch technique to catch high balls, especially if you don’t have time to set the back cup. Run to the ball, stand under it and align your hands with it. Place your hands in an orthodox cup with little fingers touching and try to catch the ball at or near eye level.
- The lower you catch the ball, the more likely you are to drop it.
- When you catch the ball, remember to keep an eye on it and pull it towards your body to maintain control.
5 Throw over the arm after catching the ball. With a high grip, turn your body sideways towards the target. Point your non-dominant shoulder and leg in the direction you are throwing and shift your weight onto your back leg. Bring your throwing arm back behind your head, then pivot it forward, shifting your weight onto your front foot. Advertising
Part 3 of 4: Fielding low balls
one Approach the ground ball at speed rather than waiting for it. Attack the ball by running towards it instead of just standing still. Remember to keep a close eye on the approaching ball from the moment you hit it.
- The attacking ball puts pressure on the attacking team. If you wait for the ball, the game will take too long and you will give the other team more time to score.
2 Rotate your body so that the non-dominant side is facing the ball. Bend your knees and turn your body slightly as you and the ball approach each other. Your non-dominant side should lead to the ball to prepare you for a strong shot after you hit the ball in the field.
- Reflection of an accelerating ground ball occurs in a fraction of a second, so your movements must be smooth and continuous.
3 Lower your non-dominant knee into a long hurdle position. As the ball approaches you, lower your leading non-dominant knee to the ground. The other foot should be on the ground with the toes pointing towards the dominant side. Align your non-dominant knee with the heel of your other foot to create a long barrier.
- If you are right-handed, your right foot should be on the ground, your right knee should be bent at 90 degrees and the right knee and toes of the right foot should be aligned towards the right side.
- Your left knee should be on the ground in line with your right heel, so that your right foot and the bottom of your left leg form a long barrier perpendicular to the ball.
- The long hurdle is the main technique used to play ground balls.
4 Scoop the ball with an Orthodox bowl. Your torso should be slightly turned towards the dominant side so that your non-dominant shoulder is facing the ball. Cross your arms in front of you so that they are in line with the approaching ball, and put your palms together with your little fingers touching. Watch the ball carefully, then grab it and pull it towards your torso.
- Remember that using the ground ball requires quick and fluid maneuvers. You will run towards the ball, fall into a long obstacle and catch the ball in just 1-2 seconds.
- If you don’t catch a ground ball cleanly, you can still stop it by placing your feet in the long hurdle position.
5 Prepare to throw from above while standing. Jump up and put your weight on your back foot when you pick up the ball. Pass the ball to your dominant hand, then move your dominant hand back and prepare to throw. Place your non-throwing arm and front foot in the direction of the target to direct the throw. Then shift your weight from your back foot to your front foot to strengthen your throw. Advertising
Part 4 of 4: Practice Practice
one Throw and catch the ball with a partner with one hand. Stand at least 10 feet (3.0 m) apart and toss the ball to each other slyly. Start by throwing and catching the ball 10 times with just your right hand. Then throw and catch the ball 10 times with only your left hand.
2 Throw 2 balls back and forth to improve hand-eye coordination. Increase the difficulty of the one hand exercise by throwing the ball between your right hands and the other between your left hands. The exercise should be a bit like juggling, so throw the balls at a fast pace. Start by tossing the ball with your right hand while your partner throws the other ball with his left hand.
- Then catch the ball with your left hand and they will catch the ball you threw with your right hand. At the same time, throw the ball to the left hand, and they to the right.
- Throw each ball back and forth 10 times for 1 set.
- 3 Practice fishing with both hands. Take turns throwing the ball to each other at different heights to practice high, chest and low catches. Catch with orthodox and reverse cups and practice sliding positions to hit low balls.
- Do 10 high-level, chest-level and ground-level catches to complete 1 exercise.
4 If you train without a partner, work on your fighting form. If you don’t have a partner to toss the ball to you, work on mastering your technique on the pitch. For example, practice dropping onto a barrier and moving quickly into a throwing position.
- You can also try throwing the ball high in the air, then set up a reverse cup catch or do a running traditional catch.
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Community Q&A
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- Question: How can I catch a fast catch without pain and fear? First you should practice fast catching with a tennis ball to make it easier in it.
- Question: If the ball is moving too fast and I have to run, how will I catch it? Get closer to the ball and dive. Even if you don’t catch him, try to stop the ball as quickly as possible while in his place.
- Q: What to look for in a bowler’s hand or a batsman’s bat? You have to look at the batsman’s bat, then focus on the batsman’s shot.
- Question: What should I do as a yorker? You need to learn how to drop beats quickly. Keeping your feet away from the ball is also very important because most Yorkies will swing inward. Practice with a tennis ball before using a seasoned ball.
- Question How can I catch a fast and high ball? Follow the ball. Get close to the ball and make a cup with your glove to catch the ball. Expect him to hit you hard on the arm and be prepared to hit.
- Question: How can I enjoy the game? Keep inspiring your team. Ask the captain to put you in a busy area – like a square foot or dot.
- Question: How do I reproduce a helicopter shot at a yorker? Pick your length early. Perepitch or full serves is the perfect ball to hit. Bring strength to your wrist. Time and communication are very important.
- Question How to catch a bowling ball? After you have bowled, keep your eyes on the ball. Catch him when he approaches you. Practice will make you perfect.
- Question How to get into the stump? Practice by placing one stump in the ground and hitting it with a ball. Then take one step back after you hit the stump.
- Q: Sometimes when I take a high grip, the ball pops out of my hand. How can I avoid this? Try to position your hand like a cup so that it does not fall when catching. Then bring it to your chest so that it does not fall. Do not try to fall when catching a high ball or hitting the ground, as this will not be an out.
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My cheerful sonorous ball | MBUK CBS Ulyanovsk
Many different ball games.
I’m not familiar with everyone.
The ball has long been known to people.
It was different in every place:
From grass, rags, clay.
He used to be wooden.
With the advent of rubber
He became jumpy, light.
Ah, balls, balls, balls!
You are jumpy, hot!
Create a mood,
It is joyful to communicate with you.
Your marvelous movements
Give wonderful moments!
During the World Cup, library No. 18 hosted a summer educational and game program “My merry ringing ball”. Children from school camps took part in this event with great pleasure. They learned about the history of the ball and about various ball games.
In the presentation of the game program, the children were told that in the records and frescoes of almost all ancient civilizations, scientists find references to certain ball games. In the third millennium BC, the Egyptians were already organizing tournaments in the ancient likeness of football.
And in the ruins of ancient settlements on the Yucatan Peninsula of Central America, playgrounds for playing ball were found. The Indians considered the ball a symbol of the Sun and the Moon. This is probably why in many games they didn’t even touch it with their hands. And when they accidentally received a painful blow with the ball, they treated it as a blessing and did not even think about crying or being offended by the opponent.
Those first balls were woven from grass, palm leaves, reeds, made from fruits of a tree, wool, sewn from skins, twisted from rags, stuffed with grass, sawdust and other similar materials. And in Rome, about two thousand years ago, this is what happened. It is said that a gymnastics teacher named Atzius, passing by a butcher’s shop, noticed a huge bull bladder. It dawned on Atzius: he bought a bubble, sheathed it with a leather cover, and the result was an inflatable ball – light and bouncy. Now that was a discovery!
The children learned that in Rus’, among the common people, balls were most often made patchwork and stuffed with rags. In the northern provinces, balls were woven from bast – straps made from birch, linden or willow bark. In some areas, balls were stuffed with sheep’s wool.
Since then, many different types of balls have appeared … For each game – its own, special. In the quiz, the guys guessed which ball was intended for what; and also translated the names of ball games: football, that is, “foot-ball”, this is “foot-ball”. And the “basket” in the name of basketball is “basket”.
During the events, the children enjoyed playing some ball games: “Catch the ball!”, “Passed – sit down!”, “Earth, water, fire, air!”, and also remembered and taught each other different games.
Of course, in the library children get acquainted with poems about the ball
S. Marshak, T. Shatskikh, A. Metzger and others. A lot of articles about football in connection with the ongoing Championship are published in children’s magazines, and the issue of the “Children’s Encyclopedia” magazine No. 6 for 2018 is completely devoted to the history of the World Football Championships.
“EARTH, WATER, FIRE, AIR!”
Description of the game
All players stand in a circle, the leader stands in the middle.