Brendan Dougherty

Former College Baseball Coach. Creator of The HLC-Infield System/Player Development

[Brendan Dougherty @Brendougherty]

Development is not about gadgets and just drills! It’s about what you believe will help you to be successful. Certain things do not work for everyone. Create your own routine, buy into it daily and then dominate it. If you have that mindset it will translate when the game comes!

[Brendan Dougherty @Brendougherty]

High Baseball IQ Play!

If you want to stay on the infield as you advance in baseball!

JV to Varsity

HS to College

College to Minor Leagues

Minor Leagues to Big Leagues

Your Baseball Situational Awareness/IQ will be the separator!! Be a Baseball Player not a robot!!

[Brendan Dougherty @Brendougherty]

Create Space -1 Shuffle Ball in air ✅

Backhand - Throw from Catch ✅

Accelerate- Arm Angle Throws ✅

#highlevelcatch

[Brendan Dougherty @Brendougherty]

Glove Out Front ✅

Control the hop ✅

Create Space ✅

Accelerate short hop ✅

[Brendan Dougherty @Brendougherty]

@abarkett17 @NCStateBaseball @DiamondHeels Tough not to pull for that Dude!!

[Brendan Dougherty @Brendougherty]

Dominate the so called “Boring Stuff”

The best Infielders love the daily routine work!

Dominate Catch Play ✅

Dominate Glove Work ✅

Dominate Early GB work ✅

Dominate Pre Game ✅

Translation=Elite High Level Infield ✅

[Brendan Dougherty @Brendougherty]

Control the Glove out front!

1 Hand ✅

2 Hands ✅

Glove leads the Feet!!

[Brendan Dougherty @Brendougherty]

This is what Elite Glove Presence Looks like

Glove out front ✅✅

Fingers Down ✅✅

Wrist Hinge ✅✅

Accelerate the Hop ✅✅

[Brendan Dougherty @Brendougherty]

Tunnel Drill

Gain Ground

Beat the Ball to the spot

Throw From catch in rhythm

[Brendan Dougherty @Brendougherty]

This Group got 100+Live Ground balls yesterday!!

Create Your Hop Drill:

Shorten Fungo or Machine

Create Space ✅

Accelerate ✅

Backhand Angle ✅

Forehand ✅

Move Through Chopper ✅

1 Hand ✅

2 Hand ✅

Game Speed ✅

[Brendan Dougherty @Brendougherty]

Create Space!
We want to gain ground or play downhill but Certain balls you have to create space to create your hop! If you create space you must be ready to throw from the catch. The mistake many infielders make is they create space and then shuffle to throw. Not enough time to do both!! Tatis 4.19 line time!

[Brendan Dougherty @Brendougherty]

High Level Catch!!

If you want to continue playing infield at a high level you must be able to make this play every time!! There is not a college or professional team that does not practice this exact play 2/3 times per week. Maybe more!

Controlled Catch and throw while moving!! If you can make this play look easy you will draw a lot of attention to yourself!!

[Hampton Naylor @Hampton_Naylor]

✅Backhand in the hole,
under 4 seconds ⏱️from contact to first base #InternalClock @Brendougherty
✅Ends inning with runner on base
✅GW RBI, 0-1 /2BB
✅@WestAthletics18 playoff win and will play for the District title!

[Brendan Dougherty @Brendougherty]

You better be able to control the Internal Clock to continue playing Infield at a High level.

[Brendan Dougherty @Brendougherty]

This time of year every play is magnified!! Tournament Time!! Playoffs!! Trust the toolbox you have created. Elite Infielders want the ball hit to them.

Play Downhill ✅

Play Fast/Controlled ✅

Play Accurate Catch ✅

Trust the fundamentals but use the Athleticism to make plays!!!

[Brendan Dougherty @Brendougherty]

Being detailed with your throwing program and pregame work translates to making plays when the game matters the most! Play Good Catch!!

[Brendan Dougherty @Brendougherty]

1 Play can change an entire Inning or Game! Be willing to use your entire skill set!

Athleticism ✅

IQ ✅

Angle Reads ✅

Arm Angles ✅

WORK TO BE A GAME CHANGING DEFENDER!!

[Going Yard Legacy Series @gyardlegacy]

Amazing insight from legendary MLB scout Gordon Blakeley about taking warmups seriously between innings and before the game. You never know who is watching!

[Brendan Dougherty @Brendougherty]

Situational Awareness! Great Infielders pay attention and know when they may be able to steal an Out. Especially in bunt situations. Knowing when to take the chance is key!!

[Brendan Dougherty @Brendougherty]

Tag Plays should be worked on every day! They can change an Inning/Game in an instant! Infielders are now working to the front part of the bag. Why? Catchers are working on throwing to the slide path of the baserunner. Here are keys to tag plays:

1. Let the Ball Travel/No Reach

2. Catch/Tag-Knowing runner is working for the back part of the bag

3. Stay athletic/ Use the swipe tag/Do not let your feet get stuck

Ultimately getting your left knee over the bag is Ideal for the setup.

Stay athletic/let the ball travel/catch tag

[Brendan Dougherty @Brendougherty]

Infielders at the Highest Levels trust there training! They prepare during the week. They make plays in the biggest moments and games. Why? Because they practice with purpose. They play High Level Elite Catch and they make plays with athleticism and fearlessness!!