16 Fun Baseball Drills to Keep Practice Engaging

February 10, 2025
16 Fun Baseball Drills to Keep Practice Engaging

Tired of boring, repetitive practices? You're not alone. Players, especially beginners, learn best when they're having fun. That’s why incorporating fun baseball drills, baseball activities, and games can make a huge difference. 

In this post, we’ve got 16 fun baseball games and drills designed to improve hitting, fielding, and throwing—all while keeping players active and engaged. 

These are perfect for parents, coaches, or anyone wanting to make baseball practice feel more like play. 

Baseball game

Here Are 16 Fun Baseball Drills To Keep Practice Exciting!

These fun baseball drills will keep everyone active, engaged, and ready to learn!

1. Belly Up Sprint

This sprint-based drill is great for improving reaction time and explosiveness. It's a perfect way to warm up and get players mentally locked in right at the start of practice. Plus, kids love the quick competition element!

How to Run the Drill:

  • Have players lie face-down on the ground, spaced out evenly.
  • Toss a ball ahead of them and yell, “Go!”
  • Players jump up, sprint, and race to grab the ball.
  • Use a timer to encourage faster sprints with each round.

2. Obstacle Course Drill

If players are losing focus, this obstacle course drill will bring the energy back. It challenges multiple skills at once, like baserunning, throwing, and sliding while keeping things fun and fast-paced.

How to Run the Drill:

  • Create a course around the bases with tasks at each station (e.g., hit a ball, sprint, make a throw to a target).
  • Players complete each task before advancing to the next station.
  • Add a timer to increase the competition and intensity.
  • Rotate groups through the course.

3. Tee Time Challenge

Tee Time Challenge

Photo credit: Inti St Clair via Getty Images

Even pros still use tees to perfect their swings. This challenge is ideal for teaching baseball drills for beginners, focusing on balance, follow-through, and solid contact with the ball. Make it competitive with target zones and scoring.

How to Run the Drill:

  • Set up a batting tee and mark different target areas in the field.
  • Players take turns hitting off the tee, aiming to hit deep shots or line drives.
  • Award points for hitting specific zones (e.g., 1 point for a shallow hit, 3 points for a deep hit).
  • Focus on form: balanced feet, proper hip rotation, and smooth follow-through.

4. Glove Flip Game

This glove-only game challenges players to control the ball with finesse and is one of the more fun baseball games for improving fielding skills. Players enjoy the challenge of not being able to use their throwing hand.

How to Run the Drill:

  • Form a circle with your players.
  • One player starts by flipping the ball to the next player using only their glove.
  • If a player drops the ball, they’re out. The last player standing wins.
  • Emphasize soft hands and glove control throughout the drill.

Related: Baseball Glove Size Chart

5. Exit Velo Showdown

Want to find out who hits the hardest? This showdown measures exit velocity, motivating players to hit with power. It’s a favorite among both beginners and experienced players.

How to Run the Drill:

  • Set up a tee and net with a radar gun to measure exit velocity.
  • Each player gets two swings per round to record their best speed.
  • Track their top scores and create a leaderboard.
  • Encourage them to focus on proper mechanics, even when swinging for power.

Must Read: 10 Proven Ways to Increase Pitching Velocity 20 MPH in 3 Years

6. Knock It Off Drill

This target practice drill helps players improve their throwing accuracy while having fun. Players love the challenge of trying to knock off a target.

How to Run the Drill:

  • Set up a target like a bucket with a helmet on top.
  • Players take turns throwing from different distances, aiming to knock the target off.
  • Award points for successful hits and track scores to create competition.

7. Base Hit Game

This fun baseball drill creates a game-like scenario where players learn to handle pressure on both offense and defense. It keeps things exciting and encourages strategic play.

How to Run the Drill:

  • Divide players into two teams: one bats while the other fields.
  • Batters score points for hits (e.g., 1 point for a single, 2 points for a double).
  • Fielders try to make outs to prevent runs.
  • Switch roles after a set time or number of innings.

8. Relay Race

Relay Race

Photo credit: Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Relay races are a fantastic way to build teamwork and throwing accuracy in a fun, competitive format. They also improve communication under pressure, which is essential for game-day performance.

How to Run the Drill:

  • Divide the team into two groups.
  • Position players evenly across the outfield in relay lines.
  • The ball starts at one end and is relayed from player to player until it reaches the last person, then back.
  • The team that completes the race first wins.

9. Goalie Drill

This defensive drill is perfect for infielders. It’s designed to improve quick reactions to ground balls and teach players how to keep the ball in front of them at all times.

How to Run the Drill:

  • Mark a “goalie box” on the infield with cones.
  • A coach hits rapid ground balls at the player, who must field them cleanly and stay within the box.
  • Emphasize quick footwork and staying low on each play.

10. Two-Ball Juggle

This coordination drill improves focus and reflexes, making it one of the more creative baseball drills for beginners. It's simple but fun and effective.

How to Run the Drill:

  • Pair players up and give each pair two baseballs.
  • One player tosses both balls underhand simultaneously.
  • The receiving player must catch both balls in separate hands without dropping them.
  • Switch roles after each round.

Related: The Importance of Playing Catch and How to Get the Most out of It

11. Pass the Bat Drill

This hitting drill focuses on making quality contact with each swing. It keeps players focused and encourages competitive but friendly pressure during batting practice.

How to Run the Drill:

  • Players take one swing each to try for the best hit possible.
  • Award points based on contact quality (e.g., line drives or deep hits).
  • Rotate quickly to maintain a fast pace.
  • Track points for added competition.

12. Barrel Game

This drill rewards players for hitting with power and solid contact. It teaches hitters to focus on barreling up the ball rather than just making weak contact.

How to Run the Drill:

  • Players earn points for every hard-hit ball ("barrel").
  • Rotate batters and fielders after a set time.
  • Keep score and challenge players to improve each round.

13. Catcher's Quick Throw Drill

Baseball Catch practice

Photo credit: Chuck Solomon /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images

This drill is designed to improve a catcher’s reaction time, throwing accuracy, and hand-eye coordination. It’s great for simulating game-like scenarios where quick throws and catches are crucial.

How to Run the Drill:

  • Set up a catcher in full gear behind home plate.
  • One player (or coach) stands near the pitching mound with a bucket of balls.
  • The coach throws balls rapidly toward the catcher.
  • The catcher must quickly catch and return the ball with a strong, accurate throw to a target (e.g., a player at second base or a net).
  • Rotate players and track accuracy to increase focus and performance.

Related: Ultimate Guide to Blocking for Catchers in 2025

14. Put On The Gear Relay

A fun relay race where players race to put on catcher’s gear. It’s a great conditioning drill that adds some light-hearted competition.

How to Run the Drill:

  • Place two sets of catcher’s gear at different stations.
  • Players race to put on one piece of gear at a time, running back to tag the next player.
  • The team that fully dresses their catcher first wins.

15. Pepper Drill

Pepper is a quick-reaction drill that teaches players to field fast and hit with control. It’s a timeless baseball activity loved by players of all ages.

How to Run the Drill:

  • Set up a batter and a line of fielders.
  • One player tosses the ball to the batter, who hits it toward the fielders.
  • Fielders must react quickly and make clean plays.

16. Tennis Racquet Scrimmage

This lighthearted scrimmage uses tennis racquets and balls, keeping things fresh and fun while still building hand-eye coordination.

How to Run the Drill:

  • Replace bats with tennis racquets and use tennis balls.
  • Play a short scrimmage with regular baseball rules.
  • Add twists like running the bases backward for extra fun.

Wrapping Up - 16 Fun Baseball Drills

At the end of the day, baseball practice should be fun. No one improves when they’re bored. Adding fun baseball drills helps players build skills while staying engaged and energized. It’s not just about reps, it's about making practice something they enjoy and want to keep coming back to.

Next time you plan a session, focus on drills challenging and exciting your team. When players enjoy practice, their effort and progress naturally follow!

About the author 

Brian Barcenilla

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}
Subscribe to get the latest updates