Slimming down a daily barrage of speeding-bullet baseballs is a job most people may not wish to tackle. Nevertheless Cleveland Indians third baseman Matt Williams snags lineup pushes without fear.
Balls slide past him. Williams is one of the greatest third basemen of baseball. And the key to his success, he says, is simple.
"Only catch the ball in whatever way you can throw it to first base," Williams states. "Keep it simple."
Your Game to Increase
Sure it is easy for Williams. He's won three Gold Glove awards given to the very best fielder at every place --in seven complete seasons in the significant leagues.
However, it can be easy for you also. Follow Williams's four-step recipe for success at any infield position:
* See the ball.
* Grab the ball any way you can--although it's in front of you.
* Work hard enhance.
* Have fun.
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See the Ball
With strong sluggers such as Chicago's Frank Thomas and Seattle's Ken Griffey Jr., pounding off with blazing baseballs, it is amazing Williams can view anything.
However he can observe a baseball nicely. He's got to, as third foundation --known as the"hot corner"--is a response place. A third baseman has time to consider building a drama. He simply' sees the ball and also responds.
"Keep your eye on the ball and catch the ball before you so that you could always view it," Williams states. "If you pull back your hands to your own body [until the ball reaches , you]your eyes will eliminate the ball"
Watch Williams the second time that the Indians are on tv (or in person, in case you are fortunate enough to attend a match ). Notice the way he keeps his feet going after he takes the field.
Williams prepares for every play exactly the exact same manner: He retains his arms outstretched, and the glove reduced to the floor and pointed toward the batter, toes going. This way he remains loose and prepared to proceed into the ball--dip if he needs to.
Catch the Ball
Superior fielders have"hands" They brighten up baseballs with very little work. The key?
"Give with the ball," Williams states. "If the ball strikes your glove, then bring the glove in your own body, to cushion the blow. In spite of this huge leather glove, even if everything you do is stick your hands down, then the ball will rebound"
Williams discovered to have delicate hands in an unusual manner. After he played college baseball at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, some infielders practiced fielding with Ping-Pong paddles strapped for their palms.
"It was nearly impossible to field a grounder such as this," Williams recalls,"but it taught you to get gentle hands and to utilize both hands"
Try it. It works. UNLV baseball coach Rod Soesbee informs how from the box"Ping-Pony Baseball" in right.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Matt Williams was not always a fantastic baseball player. As a sophomore in high school, he played third base on the varsity team. However he could not hit a lick--yet another player was utilized as a designated hitter every time it was Matt's turn to bat.
However he says that he worked as hard as anyone on the staff and practiced harder.
Now he's among the very best all-around baseball players in the significant leagues--and among the most feared (by opposing pitchers, at least) power hitters around.
"You have to be committed. You should have the motivation," Williams states. "Everybody playing with this game must work in his craft--like meevery day."
Practice fielding ground balls as far as possible. Work on keeping the ball. And first and foremost, do not expect perfection.
"Anticipate nearly perfection," Williams states. "You can not expect perfection, but you can try for this."
Do not Forget to Have Fun
Becoming a high fielder requires a great deal of work. But baseball is a sport. And games are intended to be enjoyable.
Create a mistake? Forget it and proceed. In his big-league profession, Matt Williams entered the 1997 season with 132 mistakes --he is among the greatest fielders around.
Strike out? No big thing. Babe Ruth, among the best players of all time, hit 714 home runs in his profession. He also struck out 1,330 times.
"First and foremost," Williams says,"have a fantastic time. Enjoy your teammates and find out from them. And have fun doing this "
RELATED ARTICLE: Here is the Drill
The perfect way to be a much better fielder is to the clinic. Then practice some more. And a few more.
Here are a Couple of drills that will make that clinic enjoyable:
* The Universe Ball Drill: Have a friend stand about 40 feet off and throw you floor balls. Grab the ball and toss it back. This will help perfect your fielding procedure along with your cries to first base. Switch places with your buddy every 10 to 15 grounders.
* Pepper: A batter stands approximately ten feet from a few fielders. (All players must wear batting helmets) A fielder throws the ball at half-speed into the batter, who bunts or strikes the ball half-strength on the floor to the fielders. See how long you can keep the ball in play without anybody missing in this enjoyable, speedy drill.
* Infield Practice: This is a fantastic drill for the entire group or two of you. 1 player only hits floor balls to every infielder. Most teams from little league to the majors--choose infield practice before each match.
RELATED ARTICLE: Ping-Pong Baseball
You also can practice fielding ground balls how Matt Williams and his teammates in the University of Nevada-Las Vegas did.
Just catch a Ping-Pong paddle and begin catching.
"It is difficult to grab a grounder such as this," UNLV Coach Rod Soesbee states,"but it makes it possible to catch the ball with 2 hands and teaches you to be soft with your palms "
Here is how to take action:
* Saw off the grip by a Ping-Pong paddle and sand the paddle edges smooth. Or cut out a six- to eight-inch circle from scrap plywood.
* Attach a bit of elastic--like an athletic eyebrow --into the back of every paddle. Use thumbtacks or principles, or just wrap a bandage round the paddle as revealed. Make the elastic tight enough to press on the paddle from the hand.
* Slip the paddle on your glove and begin fielding. Don't attempt and field full-force balls. Have a buddy toss you simple grounders in the beginning.
"Additionally, it will instruct you to push your palms," Coach Soesbee states,"because in case your hand's level on that plank, the effect will bite"
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