The purpose of pitch trajectory drill is to develop the base runners ability to read the trajectory of the pitch and to be able to determine if it will hit the dirt. Equipment needed are basic, batting helmets, baseballs and catchers in gear.
The setup includes having a complete infield including some of the catchers in gear. The coach will pitch. The rest of the team will be positioned with helmets on to run the bases. A hitter is not required.
The Execution may vary the situation by changing the number of runners on base. Begin with a runner on 1st, then 1st and 2nd, 1st and 3rd, finally bases loaded.
The coach has the duty to throw pitches to the catcher. After every few pitches, he will have to throw one in the dirt.
Each of the runners should keep a close eye on the delivery of the pitch and try to read the trajectory to determine if the following pitch will be in the dirt. If they are able to read this then he should be more aggressive in taking his second lead after he anticipates that he is able to advance to the next base on a blocked ball or a passed ball.
While the runner is placed on first only, the coach should have the runners steal when they are able to determine if the ball will be in the dirt.
When on second and third, the runners will have to be aggressive in taking the secondary lead and in determining if they should stay or go. The goal is for the assigned runners to get used to reading the pitch carefully and avoiding the hesitation that often occurs when a pitch bounces in the dirt.
Defensively this drill is very useful as it gives catchers practice at blocking pitches in the dirt with different game situations. The coach should encourage the catchers to throw the ball only when the runners get too far off.
