BOTH THE LONG AND SHORT ROCKERS

ARE USED FOR FIELDING DRILLS

Cut Off/Relay

With the long rockers inserted, the fielder athletically stands on the platform facing one of the shorter “ends.” With his hands up in the air, showing a target for the outfielder, he simulates a throw coming in his direction that must be relayed behind him. If right handed, he takes a step to the end of the platform, rocking it downward in the direction of the approaching throw, making his foot parallel to the short back line. At such time, his body turns positioning his shoulders to point toward where the ball came from and the new target. He receives the ball with his body tuned sideways (catching on the glove side) in an area in front of his chest. As he receives it, his weight is distributed over or toward the back foot, feeling weightless on the front side. When the ball hits the glove (with throwing hand positioned for quick transfer) his weight is transitioned to the front of the board, landing the left foot, as he makes and follows his throw.

Throwing

PROPER THROWING TECHNIQUE: Using the LONG rockers, the fielder positions his throwing side foot on the shorter white line at the back of the BASEBALLANCE, parallel with the line. Upon doing so, the BASEBALLANCE will rock back. While in that position, the fielder gets a true understanding of what it feels like to be “on the back foot” or leaning opposite the throw. He can also see and feel the “upward line” that such creates and how it could potentially hinder a throw by projecting it upward. While transitioning and working from a down and athletic position, with bent knees and the glove side shoulder pointing at the target, the thrower moves his weight toward the opposite end of the platform, landing his glove side foot on the raised end. The back side of the body drives the front shoulder downward and toward the target. With all weight transitioning to the front side with the landing of the glove side foot, the act of throwing should be performed and the natural act of following his throw will be felt and observed. The BASEBALLANCE’s rocking action accentuates the flow of a properly executed throw.

OUTFIELD SIMULATION: Outfielders stand behind the BASBALLANCE fitted with the LONG rockers. Simulating setting up and moving through a fly ball, the fielder simulates or catches a ball as he pushes his throwing side foot through the front of his body, thus turning his front shoulder in the direction of the throw. That foot lands on the balanced BASEBALLANCE parallel to the short end, on or near the closest white line and forces the rocking motion back. He allows his momentum from the stride onto the platform to continue forward until the opposite foot contacts the platform and forces the downward rock toward/at the front or the target. When the BASEBALLANCE contacts the ground on the front side, the throwing arm comes through and the shoulders are again square to the target. The outfielder feels himself “throw downhill” with momentum following the throw.

INFIELD SIMULATION: From an athletic stance, with the LONG rockers,  the infielder positions himself in an athletic stance where left and right rocking movements can be felt. The fielder simulates or catches/fields a ball and transfers to the left foot and opens his hips toward the intended target. (On flat ground or in practical application, this act is designed to simulate what a third basemen would do on a ball hit to him, then throws to second. Before the actual transfer of weight to the left foot, the fielder would allow a shuffle or generation of momentum into the throw.) If the fielder attempts to throw off of his back foot the error will be isolated by the right rock of the BASEBALLANCE. If he gets to his left foot, the proper technique will be reinforced by a leftward rock and a propelling of the fielder into a proper follow of the throw, as momentum carries him off the BASEBALLANCE in the direction of the target.

Turning Two

TURNING TWO/UNDERHAND TOSS: From and athletic position, with the LONG rockers inserted, the shortstop positions himself on the BASEBALLANCE allowing for left and right rocking movement. He simulates or catches/fields a ball and takes a crossover step with the right foot toward the second base bag. The downward, left rocking motion isolates (and forces) the fielder to stay down, into and through his toss as the momentum coming of the BASEBALLANCE forces movement pushing him toward the bag to follow the flip/toss.

TURNING TWO/THROW SS TO SECOND: Positioned the same as above, to start the drill, the shortstop simulates fielding a ground ball. While staying down, he drops or flexes his right knee to “load” on the back side, forcing the BASEBALLANCE to rock toward his throwing side. He transfers his weight toward the bag and feels the BASEBALLANCE level then rock left as he makes his throw. Again, the rocking action of the BASEBALLANCE forces the fielder to follow his throw.

TURNING TWO/THROW SECOND TO SS: Positioned the same as above, the second baseman simulates fielding a ground ball. While staying down, he pops his feet (moving his left should across the front of him toward second) allowing them to completely trade spots with one another, landing in a balanced position on the BASEBALLANCE. Only briefly and quickly the fielder should feel the platform rock back and away from second as he loads and prepares his throw. Still “down” the second basemen moves his weight to the second base side of the BASEBALLANCE, feeling his weight transfer down and toward the bag at second. Again, the rocking action of the BASEBALLANCE forces him to follow his throw.

Ground Balls

FIELDING OUT FRONT: Infielders take their position on the BASEBALLANCE with the SHORT rockers installed. Positioned in a way that allows front to back rocking movement, the fielders reach to field a ground ball. The rocking action of the BASEBALLANCE forces the head and hands toward the ball and the player’s weight is maintained over the balls of their feet, preventing a submarining act toward the ball, but off of their heels. Fielding off of the BASEBALLANCE forces the hands out in front of the apparatus and the rocking action moves them through the ball.

Outfield Drop Step

FIRST STEP BACK: Executing the drop step properly, teaching the outfielder to FEEL his hips stay open as he moves in a backward direction: An outfielder takes a bent knee, athletic position facing one of the shorter sides of the BASEBALLANCE. Hands free or relaxed, resting on thighs with weight balanced or over the front of the platform, forcing the downward rock with LONG rockers installed. This enforces the feeling of playing on his toes as opposed to flat footed on on his heals. Player drop steps onto the back or raised portion of the platform which forces his body weight toward the back and and a rocking action in the same direction.The player involuntarily has to make an adjustment to remain balanced. The adjustment provoked by the rocking action is to open hips and drop the other foot as a reaction to the first movement. Such is proper execution of the drop step in outfield play. As he executes this the player immediately feels the flow and rhythm associated with keeping the hips open.

Catch & Throw

With the LONG rockers inserted, the player can literally have a catch with someone else, repeatedly starting at the back of the BASEBALLANCE with the right foot turned parallel to the back line. Such positioning will have the BASEBALLANCE rocked up in the front. With the players non-throwing shoulder directed at the target, he steps toward and on the high end of the board and feels his weight transfer to the front foot. The BASEBALLANCE forces the player to follow through and follow his throw.

With the SHORT rockers in place, a player may practice proper balance and agility, standing on the BASEBALLANCE in a manner that allows front to back movement. This activity will allow the player to feel himself moving toward the ball and not away from it as he receives it.

With the LONG rockers in place, standing in a manner that will allow left to right rocking, the player can practice proper balance and agility moving left to right for a thrown ball. Leaning will be reinforced by an awkward, off-balance positioning and will remind the player not to reach but to move their feet left or right in a way that allows them to stay balanced and athletic, trying always to catch the ball in the middle of their body. The activity enforces moving their feet even though a downward tilt will result.