Purpose: In honor of the left field wall at Fenway Park, this competitive outfield game combines aggressiveness, communication, and the clutch catch.  Softball coaching entails preparation and preparing fun games will make practice more interesting for the young players

Procedure: Cones, balls, gloves and fence.  Align two teams on each side of the outfield or foul fences. Use cones to establish out of bounds on both sides. Players should throw the ball back and forth over the fence. Any ball hitting the ground becomes a point for the throwing team. Fielders need to communicate upon catching the ball. Play to a set score, or use a score format.

Purpose: To improve the infielder's ability to catch a softball that is hit hard into the ground and is bouncing slowly toward him. It is important to have fielders practice fielding ground balls, this is a good  softball fielding tips for beginners

Procedure: Have a crate of softball, a fungo bat, glove. The infielders assume their positions and ready themseIves for play. The feeder uses a fungo bat to hit a slow, choppy ground ball toward a specific infielder. The fielding player should round his path to the ball so that his momentum is toward the direction in which he is throwing. The right-handed fielder should field the ball on the left of his mid-line. After fielding the ball, the player should take an additional step with his right foot and simulate a throw to first base. When fielding a ball hit to the left of his mid-line, the right-handed player should make sure that the ball is fielded just outside his left foot. When using his barehand to field the ball, the player should make sure that the ball is fielded just outside his right foot and throw on the run.

This drill may be initiated with the feeder throwing the ball to the infielder. The infielder should attempt to field all bounders with his glove-hand, unless the situation demands extraordinary speed in securing the ball and delivering it to the specified base.

Procedure: This drill will need  Infield and pitching screens, bucket, baseballs, and team hitting gear. During on-field batting pracitce the large infield screen should be set up behind second bass along with a bucket, and the pitchers scatter throughout the outfield. Players stay in their starting area, and aim to catch the balls hit in their direction. No interference allowed. Points are deduced for dropped catches. Points are awarded for catches and subsequent tosses toward the bucket. 1 point for a clean catch of a ground ball, 2 points for a clean catch of a fly bill or line drive, 3- points for a clean catch and then a toss which hits or rolls to the screen, 4 points for a clean catch and toss which hits or rolls to the bucket, and 5 points for a clean catch and toss which goes into the bucket. The person who has the most points when BP is done wins the game.

Procedure: Provide balls and cones for the drill. Arrange equal throwing stations about I5 to 20 feet away from the backstop. Everyone must stand behind their designated cone. Place the balls near each cone. Use the various levels on the backstop as different target areas. Either use three throws per player, or rotate from cone to cone after each throw. Kids can use the crow-hop as part of their toss. Only collect the balls until after everyone has gone. Increase the distances after several successful throws by the group. Either use 2 to 3 groups for one side of the backstop or 4 to 5 groups when using both sides.

Procedure:  You will need Gloves and balls for everyone. Partners should stand 60 to 90 feet apart depending on the skill/ age level. Throw like a pitcher or fielder (crow-hop for outfielders). Aim for the head, chest, or belt of your partner. This is the ideal throwing location, because it is easier to handle at those spots. The receiver (umpire) verbally calls out the score far that particular throw plus the total score for his/her opponent. The fielder can only move his/her feet for errant throws (in this case no points are awarded). The first person to 21 wins. A player must win by two points for the game to end.

Scoring includes:

3 points: Any ball caught in the chest area. 2 points: Any ball caught in the area of the head or belt. 1 point: Any ball caught left or right of the receiver (in the vicinity of the midsection).

Procedure: Use equipment used in a game. Use a different pitcher for each inning. This idea can work great for a scrimmage against another team or an early season match-up when the coach wants to get all of his/her pitchers some action. Make sure the next pitcher is preparing on the side for entry in the upcoming inning. It's best to have a coach directing the bullpen, especially when warming up position players. For 7 innings use 7 pitchers. And for 14 continuous innings (e.g. fall college game) use 7 pitchers at 2 innings each. Note, Hitting teams hate facing Staff Day, because they can never get comfortable against a particular pitcher.

Procedure: You will need Tees, bats, balls, helmets, bases, cones, and bicycle tires or hula hoops. Devise two teams. The batter hits off of the tee placed on home plate- If they miss the ball, or if they knock the tee over, it's a strike. Three strikes and you're out. They are also out if they fling the bat after contact. To prevent this, instruct the kids to place the bat on the bicycle tire or hula hoop just behind the plate. After a fair ball, He/she runs to first base.

You can also incorporate fielding and throwing exercises into this game. Place the tires or hoops (one for each fielder) adjacent to the defensive team (horizontal or zigzag). After retrieving the ball, players must runover and get into their tire or hoop. The ball must then be thrown and caught (overhand or underhand) in succession. While this is going on, the offensive team runs around a pair of cones. This scoring system stops once each fielder has caught the ball The instructor should yell "stop" to  stop the action.

Procedure: Equipment to be used are Home plate, bat, small Nerf ball or Rag Ball, and cones. There are two foul lines encompassing three "cones" (outfield, infield and pitcher). Defensive teams may place as many players as desired (up to 10) into either the infield or outfield zones. Defensive players may field balls only within their zones, and should switch zones each inning. Offensive teams may place any of its players as the pitcher (same team), and may alternate them after each completed At-bat. The pitcher must stay within the "pitcher's zone" the entire At-bat, and may deliver the pitch from anywhere inside that zone.

A pitch may be delivered as soon as all offensive players (except pitcher and hitter) are behind the "dugout line" (use equipment bags), regardless of the defensive team's readiness. A pitcher may stop any ball hit by the batter (same team) before it reaches the "infield zone" (ruled a foul ball). All offensive players hit in successive order regardless of playing infield, outfield, or sitting out. Reserves should take turns alternating into play each inning. The home plate umpire calls outs, foul balls, zone infraction, home runs, and base hits. Offensive teams have three outs per inning. Each batter may receive up to two pitches and a At-bat before being called out. Outs (adiust to skill level) include any swing and

a miss, balls caught in the air, or any foul ball hit beyond the "pitcher's zone". Base hits include any fair ball dropping to the ground beyond the "pitcher's zone"; stopping within a fair "defensive zone" without being touched by the defense, or which is miss-played; or passing through the "infield zone." There are no doubles or triples. Home runs are any balls hit over an outfielder's head (umpire's discretion). No half-inning can last longer than five minutes or have more than five runs scored. No inning can start five minutes before the end of the "Rock Ball" time period (umpires call). Both teams must receive equal offensive and defensive innings. All runs must be forced in.

Procedure: You will need the following equipment tennis balls and gloves,regulation balls for older players. Explain and demonstrate each of the disciplines. Work in groups of two. Start off bare-handed. Then add in gloves and infielder

paddles if applicable. Include the following:

1. Glove Work: Roll balk to each other in the crouched stance with an open glove.

2. Grounders Straight On: Same as above except start standing up.

3. Circle: Same as above except circle balls to the left and right.

4. Forehand: Charge to the glove side, field the ball, and swing the back leg over (as if facing first base).

5. Backhand: Swing the glove-side leg over, and receive the ball with a wide stance,

6. Bare-handed: Skim the ground with the fingers, stay low, and be able to make one quick step before throwing,

7. Short hops: Field scoops and picks.

8. Tags: Slap tags on, behind, in front, left, and right of an imaginary base.

9. Stretch: Reach out for the toss while pushing off of an imaginary base.

10. One-handed Flips: For double plays, toss balls straight on and to the side of your partner (older players).

11. Blocking: Knock down a tricky bounce with the chest (nose over the ball)

12. Quick Toss: Play quiet catch with tennis balls.

13. Line Drive: Fire balls to each other from close range.

14. Transitions: Pass the ball behind the back and between the legs, then switch directions.

15. Self pop-up: Toss tails into the air, and catch-with two hands.

Purpose: Learn series of fundamental drills to practice over and over. These are good outfield softball fielding tips.

Procedure: Equipment needed are softballs and gloves. Coach has a bat and a bucket of balls with him. Have 3 groups at the outfield  One group at left,center and right field area and two players on each base. Coach will bat the ball towards the groups in the outfield and the player must follow the instructions given on where to throw back:

1. Drop Knee: Crouch down and block the ball (hard hit ground ball  with no one on base). Throw to 2nd base

2. Grounders: Receive the ball out front and pivot to throw.  RF throw 1st, LF and CF throw 2nd

3. Shoe string: Scoop bills hit just in front of you. Throw to homeplate

4. Pivot Drill: Use the crossover step to change directions while going back on a ball. LF throw 2nd, CF and RF throw to 3rd

5. Over the Shoulder: Catch balls thrown deep over the head. Throw to 3rd

6. Fence Drili: Feel for the fence, and leap high for the ball. LF throw to 3rd, CF to 2nd, RF to 1st base

7. Self toss ups: Toss balls into the air, and catch with two hands. Play homeplate

8. Cut-off  Drill: Throw balls to relay person

When drill is done rotate the players on the outfield including infield.