Each position has its own peculiar requirements. The first baseman has to learn things no other player need bother about. Ditto the shortstop, catcher, pitcher, or out-fielder.

There are a number of points about catching and throwing the ball, however, that apply to all players. A fielder, for example, should always try to use both hands when making a catch. The hands should “give” and be “soft” when the ball strikes them. If the ball is being received above the waist, the thumbs should be together with the palms facing the ball, fingers spread and pointing skyward. If below the waist, the little fingers are to be together with the fingers pointing to the ground. Whenever possible, the ball should be caught at shoulder-height, so that the fielder can throw without loss of motion.

Proper movement of the hands, however, represents only one part of the fielding technique. To make a good, clean catch a player must get to the ball and, if possible, receive it in front of the body at a point that is in line with the middle of the body. This means the fielder must move his feet!

On balls that are not very wide of a player’s position, the “boxer’s” step can be used. This involves shifting one foot to the side and closing with the other so that when the ball is received, the feet are at the width they were before the ball was hit or thrown. It’s quick step right, close left, step right; or step left, close right, step left.

On balls hit very wide, however, the player should make his first move a “cross-over” step. Try this experiment:

With the feet a little more than shoulder-width apart, assume that a ball is hit wide to your left. Take a step with the left foot. You really haven’t moved very much, have you? Take the original position again. This time, throw all your weight left, pivot left on the balls of both feet and step out with the right foot. You have not only covered ground, but you are in good position to race to the ball. Try it to the right.

Infielders and outfielders can start working on the cross-over and boxer’s step in the gym, long before the season starts. This simple drill will help:

Players pair off and face each other with about 10 feet between them. They roll a ball to each other, first to one side, then the other. Baseball Training - Read More.