Double-play feed at second

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Baseball drill · Age 10 and up

Most youth double plays are lost on the feed, not the throw to first. The second baseman fields it cleanly, then throws it too hard from three steps away, or to the wrong side of the bag, and the shortstop has to stop and reach. This drill slows the feed down until it is right every time, then teaches the shortstop to take it on the move and get rid of it. And it teaches the habit that matters more at 10 than the double play itself: get the sure out first.

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Time
15 minutes
Players
6 to 8: a second baseman line, a shortstop line, a first baseman, a runner and a batter-runner
Equipment
  • 1 bucket of balls
  • A fungo bat, or roll the ball for beginners
  • Bases at your league's distance
  • Batting helmets for both runners

Setup

  1. Put a second baseman and a shortstop at double-play depth: a couple of steps in and a step towards second from their normal spot. A first baseman plays a few steps behind the bag at first.
  2. A runner stands on first base and a batter-runner in the batting box, both in helmets.
  3. The coach hits a ground ball to the second baseman. The shortstop runs to second and the first baseman goes to the bag.
  4. The second baseman feeds the shortstop, who touches second for the force and throws on to first.
  5. Switch so the shortstop fields and the second baseman takes the feed, then swap lines every few reps.

Coaching points

  • Shortstop: get to the bag early, stop just behind it, then take the feed and step across as the ball arrives.
  • Feed: close to the bag, an underhand toss with the hand following it; further away, a short firm throw. Always to the chest, never at the bag.
  • Shortstop: touch the bag with the foot, catch, and throw while stepping out of the runner's path.
  • If the feed is late, take the out at second and hold the ball. One sure out beats two attempts.

On the run sheet: Feed it chest high to the shortstop's glove, firm but catchable; shortstop: be at the bag early, foot on the corner, catch and throw through; take the sure out first

Progressions

  1. Hit it to the shortstop instead, for a 6-4-3, so the second baseman learns the pivot from the other side.
  2. Hit it slowly, so the fielder has to decide: is there time for two, or is it only one?
  3. Start the runner from first on the pitch, so the shortstop has to clear the bag before the slide.

How it runs

With a runner on first (R1), the batter (B) hits a ground ball to the second baseman (2B). The shortstop (SS) runs to second base, the first baseman (1B) goes back to the bag, and both runners take off. The second baseman feeds the shortstop, a short throw of about 45 ft on this 90 ft diamond and closer to 30 ft on a 60 ft field, and the shortstop touches second for the first out with the runner still well short of the bag. Then the shortstop throws on to first, and the ball beats the batter-runner there for the second out. The pitcher (P), catcher (C) and third baseman (3B) stay put.

The animation shows the shortstop holding the ball for a moment after the feed. That is the footwork, catch and step, compressed. In a real double play the ball is in and out of the glove in well under a second, and that is the speed to build towards, not to start with.

The rule it is practising

Two force plays. Because the batter has to run to first, the runner on first is forced to go to second, so both outs only need the ball held while a foot touches the base. No tag is needed at either one. The order matters, though. Get the runner at second first and the batter-runner is still forced at first. Get the batter-runner first and the force at second is removed, because nobody is pushing the runner on, and now they have to be tagged.

Sliding rules vary by league. Many youth leagues, Little League among them, do not allow a runner to slide head first while advancing, and many have a slide-or-avoid rule that stops a runner barrelling into the fielder at second. Check your league's rules for which apply at your age group, and teach the shortstop to clear the bag either way.

The mistakes to watch for

The second baseman throwing the feed as hard as they can from close in. A shortstop who arrives at the bag at the same time as the ball, so they are reaching for it. Standing on the bag to throw instead of stepping off it, into the runner's path. And trying to turn two on a slow ground ball, so both runners end up safe.

More baseball drills

Put Double-play feed at second in Tuesday's session

It lands on your practice plan already timed, with the coaching cue printed under it, next to your own plays.

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