Ground Ball Reaction Drill With Gordon Beckham

Gordon Beckham, Chicago White Sox second baseman, fine-tunes his fielding skills with the Reaction Ball Drill during the off-season, with coaching by Mike Berenger.

TRANSCRIPT

Gordon Beckham is trying to improve his reaction capabilities by performing this ground ball drill. Gordon practices catching balls from all directions that bounces as well as roll on the ground to prepare for baseball.Mike Berenger: One drill I like to throw in there is the reaction ball. Basically what you're doing is I'm tossing that ball and Gordon is getting in the fielding position and he's going to receive that ball. I'll tell you that's not easy because on every bounce you don't know where it's going to go. You really have to react to it and Gordon does a good job. The best infielders, that's things going to skip by them. It's tough but I think that it will enhance your capabilities to react a little bit faster with your hands. Great drill, it's a good thing that I stick in there. It simulates the fielding of baseball and working on reaction.

I wouldn't throw that thing too hard because it takes a wicked hop and you get one in the chops that wouldn't feel too good. The basic thing is probably stand away, about a little more than five yards away and you want to do some slower rollers. You get the feel for it. You can make the athlete move left or right. It's a great drill for any position really. So I recommend it highly to baseball players.

For more with Gordon Beckham, check out Increase Bat Speed With Gordon Beckham