Each game has a mandatory warmup by starting 9 defensive positions for college recruiters to see
Below you will find the format for the pre-game warmup. These softball skills demonstrations should be done before each pool play game at the Buckeye Showdown RecruitFest. We do this in order to give the players the opportunity to showcase their basic fundamentals and skills to college coaches before each pool play game, in case a certain player that the college coach is watching does not get much action during the actual game. Again, this is done at the request of the college coaches.
At the scheduled start time (not before in case the college coaches are not present yet), the visiting team takes the field (unfortunately just the starting 9). The coach or an assistant then hits the ball in the following order.
- Ground ball to third who throws to first.
- Ground ball to shortstop who throws to first.
- Ground ball to second who throws to first.
- Ground ball to first who runs back to touch first.
- Ground ball to the pitcher who throws to first.
- Bunt ground ball that the catcher fields and throws to first.
- Repeat - Ground ball to third who throws to first.
- Repeat - Ground ball to shortstop who throws to first.
- Repeat - Ground ball to second who throws to first.
- Repeat - Ground ball to first who runs back to touch first.
- Repeat - Ground ball to the pitcher who throws to first.
- Repeat - Bunt ground ball that the catcher fields and throws to first.
- Fly ball to left fielder who throws it home.
- Fly ball to center fielder who throws it home.
- Fly ball to right fielder who throws it home.
- Ground ball to left fielder who throws it home.
- Ground ball to center fielder who throws it home.
- Ground ball to right fielder who throws it home.
- Ground ball to third who throws it to second who throws it to first.
- Ground ball to shortstop who throws it to second who throws it to first.
- Ground ball to second who throws it to shortstop covering second base who throws it to first.
- Ground ball to first who throws it to shortstop covering second base who throws it to second covering first.
- Ground ball to pitcher who throws it to shortstop covering second base who throws it to first.
- Bunt ground ball that the catcher fields and throws to shortstop covering second who throws it to first.
All the players who the ball is not hit to should make their normal movements for coverage. If a girl muffs the ball or makes a wild throw, she does not get a second chance that round. You just move along to the next player. Please do this drill as quickly as possible. It seems like a lot, but it moves along very quickly if you use multiple balls. Do not hesitate between players.
When the drill is complete, the visiting team runs off the field and is replaced by the home team. The drill is then repeated as stated above. When the home team is finished with the drill they stay on the field and the game begins. If done properly, this drill should take approximately 5 minutes per team. We realize it shortens the game a bit, but again is is something done at the request of the college coaches. Again this drill is only done before the first 3 pool play games - it is not done in any of the remaining games you have. Also the format of the drill is not cut in stone - a slight variation that serves the same purpose is allowed (all players get equal defensive exposure and it is no longer than 5 minutes).