Early kid pitch · Printable practice plan
75-minute early kid pitch practice plan
Build confidence with pitch tracking, basic defensive decisions, and supervised throwing work.
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Pack the bag
- Bats and helmets
- Tees and net
- Baseballs and soft training balls
- Cones and bases
- Catcher protection if catching is used
- Water
Set up before players arrive
Separate hitting, fielding, and throwing lanes. Assign one adult per station. Check recent workload and required rest across all teams before any pitching work. This schedule is not a pitch allowance.
Bring this to the field
Your practice, minute by minute.
Prepare to throw
Warm up, then build easy partner throws gradually. Keep throws comfortable. Players should tell an adult if anything hurts or feels unusual.
Say it simply: “Build up gradually. Do not throw through pain.”
Decide before the ball
Walk through a runner on first and a ball to an infielder. Ask each position for the simplest out and a backup job.
Say it simply: “Outs, runners, my job.”
Three stations · 9 minutes each
Rotate every nine minutes. Tracking: a helmeted hitter watches coach pitches, then takes a short coach-toss or tee turn. Defense: grounder, set feet, accurate throw. Throwing: supervised target work; pitching only if eligible and within individual limits. No unsupervised bullpen.
Say it simply: “See it early. Make the simple play.”
Water
Stop hitting and throwing for water. Check how players feel before continuing.
Say it simply: “Tell us how your arm feels.”
Controlled situations
Use coach-delivered balls in play. Work first with a runner on first, then no runners. Ask for the decision before each ball and rotate roles. Keep this to decision practice, not pitching endurance.
Say it simply: “Know the play before contact.”
Recap and reset
Ask players to explain a decision. Recognize a backup and a good response after a mistake. Review the next game's arrival time.
Say it simply: “Make the next play.”
Make it work for your team
- Without workload information or pitching supervision, use comfortable catch and target work only.
- Use soft training balls for players who need confidence tracking pitches.
- For experienced players, change the out count and ask how it changes the play.
What success looks like
Players can name their next play before contact and follow a routine in the new pitching format.
Ask before the team cheer
“What can you control when the pitch or play does not go your way?”
Before you take the field
Follow your league’s equipment, supervision, weather, and player-safety requirements. Separate hitting and throwing lanes, keep waiting players clear, and pause for water or conditions as needed. Stop throwing when a player reports pain. Pitching work must fit that player’s workload, required rest, and eligibility across all teams—not just this practice.
Additional official resources: Little League coaching resources and MLB Pitch Smart guidelines. These original example plans are independent of those organizations.
The Dugout Dad™ · thedugoutdad.com/coachs-corner/early-kid-pitch-75-minute-practice