Baseball/Softball Skills Assessment
Throwing Release
1. Use a forward back stride stance (one foot in front of the other with the dominant leg back (right-handed thrower will have the right leg back).
2. Throw from a stable base.
3. Face the target.
4. Arm up elbow off body6. Shift the center of gravity from back to forward.
5. Rotate throwing side forward-and transfer the weight to the front leg.
6. Release with a wrist snap. Follow through in the intended direction of flight.
________ out of 6
Catching
1. Catch the ball above eye level on the throwing side of the body holding the glove with fingers pointing up
2. Place the throwing hand over the ball it goes into the glove to keep the ball in the glove.
3. Flex the elbows to absorb the force of the caught ball.
4. Keep the eyes focused on the ball when running after it.
5. When the ball is falling short of the fielder extend the glove toward the oncoming ball. Keep the glove open with the fingers pointed down.
6. Move quickly to the ball and try to get the body positioned in front of it.
_____ out of 6
Fielding Ground Balls
Ready Position and Alignment
1. Bend the knees and flex at the trunk so the glove and bare hand can touch the ground Keep the weight on the balls of the feet and the buttocks low to the ground.
2. Keep the feet in a forward back stride position with the leg on the throwing side back.
3. Bend the elbows and relax the arms and hands
4. Keep the glove and bare hand in the open position with the bare hand ready to trap the ball into glove.
5. Use the shuffle step to avoid crossing feet whenever possible when getting into a direct line with the path of the ball.
______ out of 5
Transition from Fielding and Throwing
1. Mark the transition, fielding and throwing the ball clean, smooth and fast.
2. Know where to throw the ball before you field it.
3. Find the target before releasing the ball.
4. Stabilize your base of support before releasing the ball
5. Keep your body position relaxed and flexed.
_______ out of 5
BATTING
1. Take a firm grip on the bat, by placing the front arm hand on the bottom of the bat and the rear arm hand on top of the bottom hand. Hands should be together and knuckles aligned.
2.Have the body facing home plate with the feet parallel and shoulder width apart. Slightly bend the knees, keeping the weight on the back foot.
3. Lift the rear arm elbow away from the body and hold the bat off the shoulder in a vertical position perpendicular to the ground.
4. Focus the eyes on the release of the ball--avoid watching the pitcher's arm motion.
5. With the eyes focused on the ball, step forward with the front foot about 12 inches as you start the swing with the hands and arms.
6. Keep the rear foot planted as the weight shifts forward.
7. Keep the hips level and the shoulders level.
8. Make contact with the ball in front of the plate, not over it.
9. Keep both hands on the bat at all times.
10. Swing the bat all the way around to the front shoulder during the follow- through.
________ out of 10