PRACTICE FIELD LAYOUT

OVERVIEW
I like to teach using a pitching machine. This allows me to watch the hitter swing from the side and back from a pitch traveling at, or close to, the level the student will see in a game. I use the pitching machine for my drills in much the same way I would use a tee or soft toss. I also teach on a softball diamond. There are no hard and fast rules for setting up this area for the lessons, but I do have some tips that help me and my students get the best from their lessons:

DISTANCE FROM THE PITCHING MACHINE TO HOME PLATE I place the front of the pitching machine wheel 34’ from the back of home plate. This distance allows the student an accurate view of the ball after it leaves the machine, based on a 40’ home to pitcher’s plate. The wheel should be in a straight line with home plate. I strongly suggest placing a protective net in front of the machine. This increasingly protects the person feeding the machine as the skill level and age of the students increase.

REAR NETTING Rear netting allows for collection of the pitching machine balls during the lesson and for the instructor to stand behind and view the student from another angle. The netting also helps eliminate the balls rebounding toward the hitter and distracting the student.

BUNTING ARC When dragging or preparing the field, I create an arc 14’ from the back of home plate. This area is a target while bunting. I like to have this area for students to use as physical and visual references during a game. The idea is that if, in every lesson, the student sees this area, they can visualize the area and remind themselves of where they want to bunt the ball during a game. The bunting arc area can also be cut into thirds. This works well as a target for bunting in a specific direction.

SECOND HOME PLATE During our drills, I like to use a second home plate placed at the 14’ bunting arc. This plate is used for speed drills. As the student’s skills improve, it challenges her with normal drills at a 19’ distance.

PITCHING MACHINE BALLS I use an SFT foam ball instead of a dimple ball for lessons. I can get the speed and accuracy I want with these balls. They tend to move just slightly, which mimics a live pitch. These balls also change speed slightly due to their makeup and the elements. I like the fact that although I can have a machine throw strikes throughout the whole lesson, the student must make small adjustments and track the ball to be successful. The SFT balls do not damage the bats, so the student can use her game bat. Another benefit: the foam eliminates “stingers” for the younger students.