In baseball, a team needs a good fielder to stop rivals from tagging the bases. This position requires a mastery of pitching and catching, which you can refine by playing at a sports facility or with others. If you're part of your high school's team, here's how to improve your fielding skills in practice and competition.

How to Pitch and Throw Better in Baseball

1. Keep Your Feet Active

In baseball, you should never stay standing still. Otherwise, you can remain stiff and unprepared to react to the oncoming ball. Keep the body limber by constantly moving your feet while on the field. The smoother your footwork, the better the rest of the body's actions will follow. This practice keeps your reflexes sharp, making it easier to think and move at the climax of a player's turn.

2. Hold Your Glove Perpendicular

Correctly positioning a glove is half the battle when catching a baseball. For the most efficient use of the equipment, hold your hand perpendicular instead of parallel to the ground. This measure keeps the ball from bouncing out of your hand, reducing your risk of fumbling a catch.

Practice holding the glove correctly with pitching machines at a sports facility. With repetitive training, you can condition the wrist to stay at the correct angle.

3. Focus on the Bat

Fielders should know what's happening with the batter, pitcher, and catcher, as well as where the baseball is. Most people keep an eye on the ball, but more experienced players can learn how to watch the bat. 

Depending on how the equipment is angled and swung, experienced fielders can tell where a ball will go. The better you calculate the batter's movements, the more skilled you will become in this position.

Hit the baseball cages at Line Drive Indoor Batting to improve your fielding skills. This sports center in Jupiter, FL, has state-of-the-art equipment and seasoned instructors that train both aspiring professionals and casual players. Come with your friends or on your own for batting, pitching, and hitting lessons. Check out the batting cages available on their website, or call (561) 283-6614 to speak with their staff.