7 KILLER Mini Wiffle Ball Drills for Baseball Players who want ELITE LEVEL Hand-Eye Coordination!
If you’ve been following my channel for any length of time, you know I’m a huge fan of training with mini wiffle balls. There’s something about training small that forces you to dial in your focus, sharpen your hand-eye coordination, and develop skills that translate directly to the field.
So when I connected with Josh Cathcart – aka The Baseball Doctor on YouTube – and he wanted to try out the mini gloves I sell on my site, I knew we had to team up for something special.
In this post, Josh breaks down 7 killer drills using mini wiffle balls and mini gloves that you can use to develop elite-level hand-eye coordination for both infielders and hitters. These drills are safe, fun, and perfect for indoor or outdoor training.
Watch the full video above, then use this post as your reference guide.
Why Train with Mini Wiffle Balls?
Before we dive into the drills, let’s talk about why this training method is so effective:
|
Benefit |
Why It Works |
|---|---|
|
Forces Focus |
Small ball = smaller margin for error = you have to lock in |
|
Improves Hand-Eye Coordination |
Your eyes and hands have to work together at a higher level |
|
Builds Soft Hands |
You can’t stab at a mini ball – you have to receive it |
|
Safe for All Ages |
Even if you get hit, it doesn’t hurt |
|
Fun & Engaging |
Doesn’t feel like practice – kids actually want to do it |
|
Versatile |
Use indoors, outdoors, garage, or anywhere |
And the best part? You can add competition to any of these drills. In today’s world, kids need to be reminded how to compete, and these little games bring that competitive fire right back.
The Tools You’ll Need
Before you start, here’s what you’ll want to have:
- Mini Wiffle Balls – Small, lightweight, and safe
- Mini Gloves (Finger Gloves) – These slip onto your pointer finger and thumb, creating a tiny web for catching
- Mini Wiffle Ball Pitching Machine – Adjustable speed settings (slow, medium, fast) for consistent reps
Links to all these tools are in the description below!
Drill #1: Catching with Both Hands (Infield Focus)
This is Josh’s go-to drill for infielders, and it’s where the mini gloves really shine.
The Setup:
The Execution:
Key Cue: Squeeze the catch. Don’t let the ball pop out.
Why It Works:
This drill forces you to track the ball all the way in and receive it softly. It’s the same skill you need on hard-hit ground balls. If you can catch a mini ball with a tiny glove, a baseball feels massive.
Drill #2: Bunting Drill (Eye-Hand for Hitters)
This one’s for the hitters, but it translates directly to pitch recognition and bat control.
The Setup:
The Execution:
Key Cue: Let the ball get deep. Don’t chase it out front.
Why It Works:
Bunting requires elite pitch tracking and bat control. By isolating this movement with a mini ball, you’re training your eyes to pick up the ball earlier and your hands to react accordingly.
Drill #3: Pop Fly Drill (Infield Tracking)
This drill simulates pop-ups and can be done with the wiffle ball machine or a tosser.
The Setup:
The Execution:
Key Cue: Eyes behind the glove. This is the same position you’d be in on a high hop as an infielder.
Pro Tip: Don’t try to catch it out in front. You want to be behind it, letting your glove absorb the ball.
Drill #4: Swinging from the Knees (Upper Half Isolation)
Now we’re moving into the hitting progression. This first one isolates your upper half.
The Setup:
The Execution:
Key Cue: The mini balls won’t have a consistent path, so you really have to lock in on each pitch.
Why It Works:
When you take your lower half out of the equation, you have no choice but to focus on hand-eye coordination and bat control. It’s pure barrel awareness.
Drill #5: One Knee Swings (Adding Rhythm)
This is the next step in the progression – adding a little lower half movement.
The Setup:
The Execution:
Key Cue: Let your backside release. Feel the turn.
Why It Works:
You’re adding rotation back into the drill while still limiting leg drive. It’s a natural bridge between the “both knees” drill and full swings.
Drill #6: Launch Position Swings (Getting Set)
Now we’re getting closer to a real swing – but still with a specific focus.
The Setup:
The Execution:
Key Cue: Balanced launch, good direction, let the back hip release.
Drill #7: Full Swings (Putting It All Together)
This is the final progression – full swings with the mini wiffle balls.
The Setup:
The Execution:
Key Cue: Keep your head down and watch the ball to contact.
Why It Works:
By this point, you’ve built up through the progression. Your eyes are locked in, your hands are soft, and your barrel control is sharp. The full swing is just the payoff.
The Progression Recap
|
Step |
Drill |
Focus |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Both Knees |
Upper half isolation, barrel-to-ball |
|
2 |
One Knee |
Rhythm and rotation |
|
3 |
Launch Position |
Balance and direction |
|
4 |
Full Swing |
Putting it all together |
Start at step 1 and work your way up. Don’t jump straight to full swings – you’ll miss the benefits of the progression.
Bonus: A Fun Game to Play!
Here’s a great way to add competition to your training – and trust me, it’s a blast.
The Game:
Why It’s Great:
A Note from Josh:
“Anywhere that you can add competition into your practices, please do it. For whatever reason – society, the internet, all of these things – our kids have forgotten how to compete at a high level. Adding these little bitty games into practice just gives them that competitive fire they need.”
Quick Summary – The 7 Drills
|
# |
Drill |
Best For |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Catching with Both Hands |
Infielders, soft hands |
|
2 |
Bunting Drill |
Hitters, pitch tracking |
|
3 |
Pop Fly Drill |
Infielders, tracking |
|
4 |
Swinging from the Knees |
Hitters, barrel control |
|
5 |
One Knee Swings |
Hitters, rhythm & rotation |
|
6 |
Launch Position Swings |
Hitters, balance & direction |
|
7 |
Full Swings |
Hitters, full integration |
Where to Get the Gear
Thanks for reading! If you found these drills helpful, drop a comment below or share this with a coach who needs to spice up their practices.
See you in the next one.
– Coach Madden
