Baseball fielding drills train players to get into the proper fielding positions

Baseball fielding drills are a staple for successful baseball teams.

Check out these 4 simple fielding drill you can use at your next practice.

Remember your high school physics class?

"An object in motion will stay in motion until acted on by another opposing force."

"Creeping" is a commonly used term for pre-pitch movement. Both infielders and outfielders need to be taking small steps toward home plate as the ball enters the strike zone.

Think about how a tennis player is moving prior to returning a serve. This is the same concept that we are trying to achieve.

Although the steps are forward, they are very small steps so that the "creeping" does not take away angles when we move into phase two Routes.

Baseball fielding drills to improve the range of a fielder is another way to develop great infielders and outfielders.

Taking good angles to the ball is necessary to becoming a great fielder.

Defensive players in football are taught to take the appropriate "angle" when chasing down the ball carrier.

Baseball fielders that are proficient at taking proper angles to the ball will improve their game also.

Once the player has successfully fielded the baseball now he must be able to transition into a good throwing position.

Not using two hands is the most common mistake during the transition phase of fielding a baseball.

When players use both hands to field a ground ball or catch a fly ball they will be better able to get the ball out quickly and make a throw.

Now that we have covered the objectives for fielding and throwing let's look at some great drills to improve upon these four key reference points.

Creeping-For a right handed throwing player

Start with the left foot slightly out in front, knees flexed hands about waist high. Take a small step with the right foot followed by a short step with the left foot. Breaking down into the ready position to break on the ball.

Creeping-For a left handed throwing player

Start with the right foot slightly out in front, knees flexed hands about waist high. Take a small step with the left foot followed by a short step with the right foot. Breaking down into the ready position to break on the ball.

Two points to remember: Make sure the steps are small enough to maintain maximum angles to the ball. And make sure the timing is accurate: the last step is down just prior to the ball entering the hitting zone.

Drills to improve routes can be as simple as hitting ground balls along the different routes.

Remember the speed of the ball is also an important detail not just the direction.

If hitting fly balls is difficult consider using tennis balls or Whiffle balls.

I like the soft hands products that are out that can be used with other baseball fielding drills to improve a fielders ability to field the ball out in front and give with it.

Burn out is another common baseball fielding drill.

Once the players' arms are loose they get a partner

and from about 45 feet away they play catch

The goal of this drill is to see how fast they can get rid of the ball and make an accurate throw.

Remember the key point is to use two hands to get the ball out quickly in order to speed up the transition from fielding to throwing.