YOUTH SPORTS: Fielding Ground Balls

It's the bottom of the ninth. Your team's up by one. The bases are loaded, and there are two outs. The batter taps a routine grounder to the second baseman. Before that hit, it looked like you were going to win. But, then, the second baseman lets the ball bounce over his mitt and scuttle into the outfield. Runners on second and third base score, and suddenly that "guaranteed" win becomes a devastating loss.

The second baseman could have easily avoided the situation had he used basic fielding techniques - techniques every ballplayer should know. Here's how to field a ball so that a devastating loss never gets pinned on you.

Get into position. Spread your feet slightly, crouch down, and put your hands on your knees. From this basic "ready" stance, you can shift your body quickly and effortlessly the moment the ball is hit. As the pitcher throws the ball, extend your glove in front of you with the pocket side facing up. Keep your glove at or below the knee.

If you position yourself accordingly, you can get a jump on the ball the moment it's hit. If you move late, you'll most likely watch the ball sail into the outfield.

Get in front of the ball. It's amazing how many people believe they can simply stick out their glove and catch a rocketing grounder before it skips past them. It's even more amazing how surprised those same people are when they don't snag the grounder this way. The key to fielding a ground ball is to get your body in front of it. This will do several things. It will make it easier to see the ball, it will provide a built-in backup if you don't field the ball cleanly in your mitt, and if you miss the ball, it will most likely bounce off your body and fall down in front of you. This will give you another opportunity to make the play and throw out the runner.

Guide the ball into your mitt. If the ball is hit softly, charge straight at it with your body and mitt low to the ground. If the ball is hit harder, simply keep your eye on the ball and position your body and mitt to receive it as it comes rolling - or bouncing - toward you. And don't forget to keep your legs spread apart. (This is important when it's time to throw the ball).

When you scoop up the ball, keep your body perpendicular to the ball's path so that you remain in front of it. Bend down to reach the ball, and use both hands to guide it into your mitt. If your body is positioned properly, even if you miss the ball, it should hit your body and fall in front of you. Then you can scoop it up with your bare hand. For normal plays, transfer the ball to your throwing hand once it's in your glove.

Pivot and throw. Indians second baseman Roberto Alomar makes the pivot seem like an art form, and former Pittsburgh Pirates great Bill Mazeroski was a master at a quick pivot and throw for years. To execute this move, set your feet, turn your upper body toward first base, and step toward the base as you throw the ball.

If you practice your pivot and throw with a mechanical-like movement of set, twist, step, and throw, over time, your speed of motion and throwing accuracy will improve. You can practice this motion with or without the ball.

Next? Once you've learned the basics of fielding, many other baseball fundamentals will improve as well. Except, of course, your hitting. But that's a lesson for another day.

Dustin Klein (dsklein@e-sports.com) is editor in chief of e-sports.com. He has a passion for everything baseball.