One of the [tag]softball fielding drills[/tag] I like to have players do, especially in the first part of the season, is as follows. I feel this works on having soft hands and learning to cradle the ball into the stomach. It also helps to develop a soft accurate toss.
Place two pylons about 10′ apart.
Have your [tag]softball[/tag] player start in the center and roll a softball toward a pylon.
Have the player slide or shuffle to the side to field the ball. She can toss it back to the one rolling the ball.
Then another ball is rolled toward the other pylon causing the player to shuffle to the other side.
We have the fielder do this for a total of ten rolls.
Player does not use a glove. We work on correct fielding position and having the play getting in front of the ball.
A variation is to place a bucket in front of each pylon about 6′ and have them toss the ball into the bucket.
Players can compete to see who gets the most softballs in the buckets.
I feel this works on having soft hands and learning to cradle the ball into the stomach. Also helps to develop a soft accurate toss.
TIP: This [tag]softball drill[/tag] can be done inside on those rainy days.