What Every Baseball Infielder Needs to Know
Master the art of infield play with essential tips on footwork, glove work, double plays, situational awareness, and positioning. Whether you're at shortstop, second base, or first, learn how to elevate your defensive skills and dominate the diamond. Perfect for players and coaches!

Discover the essential skills and knowledge for baseball infielders. Learn how to master footwork, glove work, double-play pivots, situational awareness, and quick decision-making to dominate the infield and elevate your game. Perfect for players, coaches, and enthusiasts looking to excel in defensive play!

Fielding Drills

These are the 10 Infield Fundamentals you must master.

 In the article, I will provide you with easy and simple infield baseball drills, advise you on different infield playing depths, and finally tell you about a couple of practice drills your team will enjoy.

This article is a helpful resource for baseball practice ideas that you can implement today. Right now, I will focus on infield drills. If you are seeking a baseball practice plan already made you can go here and read more.

I am as pumped as a one 6-4-3.

Let's Go!

10 Easy and Simple Infield Fundamentals

1. Stance

2. Catching a thrown ball

3. Throwing the ball

4. Fielding a ground ball hit directly at the fielder

5. Fielding a ground ball hit to the left

6. Fielding a ground ball hit to the right

7. Fielding a slow roller

8. Fielding a bobbled ball

9. Infield depth positioning

10. Catching Pop-flies

Infield Philosophy

Everything you do as a coach has to start with what you believe in.  What you believe in is your philosophy and this is vital for not only baseball but for life.

If you haven’t done so already, I strongly encourage you to adopt my philosophy, write your own, or combine and make it unique to fit what you want out of your team.

My infield philosophy can be summed up in four words:  "JUST GET THE OUT.”

Most baseball games are won or lost with a big inning.  I believe if you can prevent the big inning you increase your chances of success. 

In Tony LaRussa’s book 3 Nights in August he wants his team to stay away from the “crooked number.”

What is a “crooked number”?

A crooked number is any number other than “1.”

This takes me back to my philosophy of not giving up the big inning.  Keep your opponent to 0 or 1 runs scored per inning will stop the big inning and increase your odds of success.

Go take a look at your scorebook.  The team that usually won is the team that had a big inning or earned a crooked number.  Go ahead.  Take a look.  You will be surprised how true this is.

OK - Let’s move on to how to avoid the crooked number.

In order to do that our infielders must make every routine play. We cannot give our opponents extra outs or extra bases. We expect to get an out on every playable ground ball and to help our pitchers by turning the double play when the opportunity is there.

With runners on base and less than two outs we play to get the lead runner, but not at the expense of not getting an out anywhere. We do not try to make the spectacular play to get the lead runner when we can get the sure out at first. We do not make extra throws when there is only a slight chance we will get the runner out. When a team gives us an out by bunting we will take it – getting the lead runner if possible, but making sure we get an out.  In other words we: "JUST GET THE OUT" on every play.

That sums up my philosophy on infield play:  “Just get the out!”

What infielders must know:

Knowledge of the hitter: stance, swing, and speed

Knowledge of the playing conditions: ground, wind, sun

Anticipate the play: know what pitch is being thrown, relay this information to the outfielders. Number of outs and especially the game situation, be alert for possible hit-and-run situations, bunt, or squeeze situations, or straight and delayed steal possibilities.

Infielders must always be alert and should never be taken by surprise. Concentration on every pitch is a must. You must always want the ball hit to you. 

When warming up, step towards the ball when receiving the throw. Then square the back foot, square the body, point the front shoulder towards your target, and throw. Follow through with the throwing shoulder pointed towards the target. Use a regular step or skip and step when warming up.

1. Stance

The stance for the infielder should be comfortable. His feet should be approximately shoulder width apart. For a right-handed infielder, the left foot should be slightly in front of the right foot. The weight should be evenly distributed on the balls of his feet. He should not be back on his heels. His body should be facing the hitter squarely. His hands should be ready to start from the ground up on all ground balls.

As the pitcher is about to deliver the ball to the hitter, the infielder should take a short step (prep-step) with the left foot and then the right foot toward the plate.

This short prep-step is done to get his body in motion before the ball is hit.

REMEMBER: start from the ground up.

While the infielder is taking the short step toward home plate, he is following the flight of the ball from the pitcher's hand to home plate.

2. Catching a Thrown Ball

Teach the infielder to always catch a thrown ball with two hands and he should try to be directly in front of the ball when he catches it. Teach the infielder to keep his hands away from the body with a slight bend at the elbows. Once the ball is in the glove the hands should "give" (soft hands) and be brought into the body (belt) and then into the throwing area (chest).

To catch a ball above the waist the palms should be turned away from the body and the hands placed in a position we will call: "thumb to thumb." 

To catch a ball below the waist the palms should be facing upward, and the hands placed in a position we will call: "pinky to pinky."

3. Throwing the Baseball

The infielder should grip the ball across the wide seams on the ball. The fingertip of the index and middle fingers should be touching the seam and the thumb should be beneath the ball and touching the seam also. As the ball is released, it will come off the index and middle fingers with backspin. We will call this "four 'seam rotation." This will help the infielders to remember to keep the ball in a straight line, the ball will not tail or slide to either side. This will also make it easier for the player waiting to receive the ball to catch it.

Always remember to say: "SQUARE THE BACK FOOT, POINT THE FRONT SHOULDER, AND THROW." After fielding the ball, the infielder should bring the ball to the center of his body (belt), remove the ball from the glove, and get the ball into the throwing position.

Remember to "SQUARE THE BACK FOOT, POINT THE FRONT SHOULDER, AND THROW." As the ball is released, the infielder should have a good follow-through. Get a good back spin on the ball.

4. Fielding A Ground Ball Hit Directly At The Infielder

Once the ground ball is hit, the infielder will start to charge the ball and get his body under control to field the ball. The infielder should keep his body low, keep his eyes on the ball, and get his body in front of the ball. As he comes to the ball, he should have the left foot slightly in front of the right foot, hands away from the body, and he should follow the ball into the glove. 

The baseball should be fielded in the center of the body, with the glove and the throwing hand being together "pinky to pinky" and the arms should be slightly bent, forming a "V" leading to the shoulders. The glove, arms, and shoulders will resemble a triangle when the infielder is in good fielding position.

When the infielder catches the ball, there should be a slight give of the hands (soft-hands) and he should take the ball out of the glove with the throwing hand and get the ball into the throwing position as soon as possible.

The ball goes directly from the ground to the belt. While squaring the back foot and the body the ball is brought to the chest and then to the throwing position

The infielder will then choose to take a regular step or a skip and step to get himself in a good throwing position. REMEMBER TO SQUARE THE BACK FOOT, POINT THE FRONT SHOULDER, AND THROW.

Use these terms when the ball is hit directly at the infielder: If a ball is to the right -- banana to the right. If the ball is hit to the left side say -- jab step to the left.

5. Fielding A Ground Ball Hit To The Left (Forehand)

We want the infielder to use a crossover step, pivot on the left foot, cross over with the right foot, and get the body directly in front of the ball and field the ball in the middle of the body.

To get into position to throw while going left, the infielder must use a "cross back-step." He can cross the right foot behind the left and plant it or he can take a regular step.

6. Fielding A Ground Ball Hit To The Right (Backhand)

When this happens, the infielder should use a crossover step. He needs to pivot on the right foot, cross over with the left, and slide his body in front of the ball. He needs to try to field the ball in the middle of his body and plant the right foot hard into the ground to stop his momentum. If he has time to throw the runner out, he can use the regular step or the skip and step to throw the runner out. 

If there is a fast runner, then the infielder needs to plant the right foot and throw from that position (no step).

If the infielder must back hand the ball, he should try to plant the right foot and get rid of the ball quickly.

7. Fielding A Slow Roller

The infielder should charge the ball and as he comes to the ball get his body under control. His body should be approximately one step to the right of the ball. This will give him a better angle for throwing. He needs to field the ball with the glove as he comes across the ball. He should then step forward with the right foot and throw underhand off the right foot. The only time the ball should be picked up with the bare hand is when the ball is dead in the grass or almost completely stopped.

8. Fielding A Bobbled Ball

We want our infielder to NOT PANIC. He must keep his cool, find the baseball, and get rid of it as quickly as possible. We want him to pick up the ball with three fingers -- the index finger, middle finger, and the ring finger (the thumb and pinky fingers go to the other side of the baseball). WE DO NOT WANT THE BALL TO GO BACK INTO THE GLOVE, BECAUSE THIS WASTES TIME. He needs to get the ball in a throwing position!

9. Catching Pop-Flies

All the infielders will wave their hands and arms for clearance. They will yell "BALL" several times and make the catch. With no runners on base or with runners on base and two outs the infielder must make the catch and hold onto the ball for two seconds. They do not have to hold the ball in the glove for two seconds if there are less than two outs and runners on base. With runners on base and less than two outs the infielder will react to the situation after making the catch.

10. Infield Depth Positioning

Infield with bunt defense (#1) - the infielder is about 60 feet from home plate and is anticipating a bunt. Mainly applies to the corners, sometimes the middle infield.

Infield with bunt defense or 1st and third (#2) - the infielders (third base and first base only) are about 80 feet from home plate and are anticipating a bunt or in a first and third coverage.

Infield In (#3) - this position is usually at the edge of the grass or even with the bases. The infielder should be ready to make the put out at the plate. This position is tough because it limits his range and the baseball is coming at him much harder.

Split Infield (#4) - the shortstop and the second baseman play in double play depth and the third baseman and first baseman play even with the bases. The shortstop and the second baseman are in a four depth and the corners are in a three depth.

Infield Deep (#5) - all infielders play as deep as possible. The shortstop and second baseman play on the edge of the outfield grass, or deeper if the speed of the runner allows. The first baseman and the third baseman should be fifteen to twenty feet behind the base. The infielders are trying to get more range and keep the ball in the infield.

Read more about infield play by reading:

Comprehensive List of What a Baseball Infielder Needs to Know

Bonus - Practice Ideas

Infield Drill Video

Infield Practice Drills

POSITION SIMULATION: During this drill, all infielders go to their respective position and work on all actions of an infielder without a baseball.  This is an excellent drill for concentration.  The infielders go over all fundamentals at their position over and over until it becomes automatic. DO NOT ALLOW THEM TO GET LAXED. There is a purpose behind this drill.

NOTE: THE ONLY FUNDAMENTAL POSITIONING THE INFIELDERS WILL NOT DO DURING GROUP SIMULATION IS THE DEPTH POSITIONING OF THE INFIELDERS.

Shorthops 3 Ways - this drill is done with a partner or solo throwing a rubber ball against a wall.  With a partner each player will be in the proper stance or ready position.  

1st Way: One player will have a baseball and throw a shorthop to his partner with the ball striking the ground about 6 inches from the glove in the middle of the body.  The player who received the ball funnels it in and then throws a shorthop back.  This process repeats for as many reps as desired (usually 10 per player).

2nd Way: Complete the same drill except the ball is now thrown to the forehand or glove side.  

3rd Way:  Each player is now in a backhand position and repeat the process.

Quick Hands - This is a partner drill in which there is one baseball thrown as quickly as possible.  The players are standing in an athletic position facing chest to chest about 30 feet apart.  One player will quickly throw pop hit feet, cock the arm and throw.  The receiving player will prepare his body for receiving the throw and then quickly pop his feet and throw.  This continues for 10 reps or whatever you desire.

Dead Ball - Each infielder will be at his position along with the catcher.  A baseball is placed at a specific location near them.  The player will go pick up the baseball, set up and throw to a designated base.  The reason this is called “dead ball” is because the ball is not moving.  Simply working on approach, setting of the feet, and throwing.

Live Ball - Same as dead ball except now the ball is rolled to the defender at a specific location.  This phase is adding a moving baseball, hence called “live ball.”  Working on approach, funneling the ball into the body, setting the feet and throwing.

Fungo - Same as above but now the ball is being hit.  One person will hit non-stop fungo to one position repeatedly with the throw being back to the shagger.  In reality, you can have 4 fungo hitters going at the same time.  One fungo hitter near home on the third base side hitting to first base.  One player in foul territory between third and home hitting to second base.  Do the same on the first base foul line hitting balls to third base and shortstop.  Remember, all fielded balls will be thrown back to the shagger.  You may also call this 4 Man Fungo.

Live Fungo - Same as above but a coach will hit fungo to multiple positions on the field.

Defensive Drill #1 - is a set of individual drills working on specific fielding skills and drills.  This drill series is available to you with complete details, printable practice plan - simply print and go.

Defensive Drill #2 - is a set of group drills working specific plays on the field.  This drill series is available to you with complete details, printable practice plan - simply print and go.

Defensive Drill #3 - is a set of team drills working on everything that can happen in a game.  This drill series is available to you with complete details, printable practice plan - simply print and go.

Throwing Practice Drills

Throwing Technique Progression

Break and Throw with no ball - have player in a proper throwing position with his throwing shoulder pointing at the target and his throwing hand inside his glove.  The glove is at chest height with a slight, athletic bend in the knees.  The coach can say “break” and the player will take both thumbs down and naturally follow his arms until the glove is pointing at the target and the throwing hand is back with his throwing elbow at shoulder height.

Break and Throw with ball - same as above but will not throw the ball

Ready, Throw to partner - same as above but now throwing to a partner.  When starting out it is best to say “break” and see all players positioning and then say “throw” and witness all the throws.

Back’em Up with partner / base - same as above but now throwing from an infield position to a base.  Ball is still in the glove to begin with.  We have yet to field a ground ball.

Back’em Up with fungo / base - same as above but now hitting the ball at a fielder and he must make a throw.

Competition Throws

Bucket Throw from OF to HP - place all players in centerfield in a line with a baseball.  Set up cones as designated throwing area.  The player will step up into the throwing area and let the ball launch towards home plate.  At home plate take a clean garbage can and lay it down with the opening facing center field.  The player who gets the ball into the can wins.  You can also go closest to the hole.  It’s your game - you make rules.  Heck, once I placed the can on cinder blocks to simulate a catcher’s mitt for a play at the plate.  Use your imagination.

Game Winning Throw from OF to Relay to HP - same as above except there is now a relay man.

In Conclusion

You are now prepared to teach all infielders how to fundamentally play their position using 10 Simple and Easy Fundamentals All Infielders Must Know PLUS you now have multiple throwing and fielding practice ideas.

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Leave a comment below and let me know which one of the 10 infield skills you deem most important.