Game version
Fielding game: a partner rolls ground balls and you field and throw to a cone. The pair counts clean plays, then swaps.
Short Hop Reads
Decide in an instant whether to charge a hop or back up and take it higher.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Your partner throws hard one-hoppers from 30 feet.
Core: Medium. Beat your own best of clean plays out of 10.
- Ages
- 14 and up
- Time
- 12 min
- Players
- You and a partner
- Space
- Yard or field
- Bring
- Glove, ball, partner
- Level · skill
- Advanced · Fielding
The steps
How it works
- Your partner throws hard one-hoppers from 30 feet.
- Charge the short hop or step back for the long hop; never get caught in between.
- Field and throw back.
- Do 20 reps.
Coaching point
Short hop or long hop, never the in-between hop.
Make it fun
Play it, don't drill it
Challenge
Pick a level: Less (slow rolls), Core (medium), More (to your sides). Beat your own best of clean plays out of 10.
Story
You are the shortstop in the big game, and every clean play is a big play.
My best
Beat your own count
Beat your own best of clean plays out of 10. Only your own number counts: today against last time.
Practice makes progress
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