DOUBLE BALL Soft Toss

A Drill to Improve Pitch Recognition and Focus on Selective Hitting

The Double Ball Soft Toss drill helps hitters sharpen their pitch selection by forcing them to focus on hitting the correct ball as called by the coach. This drill improves hand-eye coordination, quick decision-making, and reaction time.

By running the Double Ball Soft Toss drill, hitters will learn to focus on pitch selection, improve their decision-making at the plate, and develop better hitting discipline. This drill provides a strong foundation for becoming a more patient and selective hitter, skills that will translate directly into game situations.

Difficulty Rating: ★★★☆☆ (Challenging)
Time Estimate: 8-12 minutes

Setup:

  1. Equipment Needed:
  • Two soft baseballs or tennis balls (for each toss)
  • L-screen or protective net (optional but recommended for coach’s safety)
  • A bat for the hitter
  • Bucket of balls for the coach
  1. Player Positioning:
  • The batter stands in their regular stance, prepared to hit.
  • The coach positions themselves about 6-8 feet in front of the batter, either slightly off to the side or directly in front, with access to a bucket of balls.
  1. Tossing Area:
  • The coach should have enough space to safely toss two balls simultaneously into the batter’s hitting zone, and a protective net or L-screen is highly recommended.

How to Run the Drill:

  1. Coach Positioning:
  • Stand approximately 6-8 feet away from the batter. Have two balls in your hand ready to toss. You will toss both balls at the same time, one slightly higher than the other (a top and bottom ball).
  1. Soft Toss Execution:
  • The coach tosses two balls simultaneously: one in the upper part of the strike zone and one in the lower part. Immediately after the toss, the coach calls out either “top” or “bottom” to indicate which ball the hitter should aim for.
  • The batter must react quickly, focusing on hitting the correct ball while maintaining proper swing mechanics. The drill simulates pitch recognition and forces the player to make quick adjustments based on the coach’s call.
  1. Repetitions:
  • Each batter should take 10-12 swings per round. Rotate players after each round to allow for rest and feedback. The drill can last 8-12 minutes depending on the size of the group.
  1. Adjustments:
  • For younger players, you can slow the pace of the toss and give them more time to process which ball to hit. For more advanced hitters, you can increase the speed of the toss and the frequency of the call-out to further challenge their focus and reaction time.

Why You Run This Drill:

The Double Ball Soft Toss drill is designed to improve pitch recognition, decision-making, and selective hitting. By forcing hitters to focus on one of two balls, the drill mimics game situations where players must choose whether to swing or hold off based on the pitch location and speed. This drill encourages focus and helps hitters become more disciplined at the plate, improving their ability to drive good pitches while laying off bad ones.

Key Skills Developed:

  • Pitch Recognition: The hitter learns to quickly recognize which ball (or pitch) is in their hitting zone and make a decision on whether or not to swing.
  • Selective Hitting: This drill teaches players not to swing at everything, reinforcing the importance of choosing the right pitch to hit.
  • Quick Reaction and Focus: Players must react fast to the coach’s call while maintaining good mechanics, improving their mental focus and reaction time.

Coaching Notes & FAQs:

Coaching Tips:

  • Focus on Reaction: Emphasize the need for quick reactions, but remind players to keep their swing under control. The goal is to maintain mechanics while responding to the call.
  • Proper Toss Timing: As the coach, make sure both balls are tossed at the same time and are well-spaced in the strike zone. Consistency in the toss is key to helping the player learn to recognize which ball is best to hit.
  • Encourage Patience: Not every toss will be a perfect pitch to hit. This drill encourages the player to listen and adjust, which simulates selective hitting during a game.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  1. What should I do if the player struggles to hit the correct ball?
  • Slow down the drill by pausing slightly longer between the toss and the call-out, giving the player more time to react. Once they become more comfortable, speed it up to simulate real-time decision-making.
  1. Can this drill be used with younger players?
  • Yes, this drill can be adapted for younger players by making the tosses slower and the call-outs more spaced out. Start with larger pitch height differences to make it easier for them to differentiate between the top and bottom balls.
  1. How do I make the drill more challenging for advanced players?
  • Increase the speed of the toss and mix up the timing of the call-out (call it later in the toss), forcing the hitter to make faster decisions. You can also vary the height of the tosses more dramatically to increase the difficulty.
  1. How often should this drill be used in practice?
  • The Double Ball Soft Toss drill can be used 1-2 times per week, ideally as part of a broader hitting practice. It’s particularly useful for players who struggle with pitch recognition or are too aggressive at swinging at everything.