Chris Mackie – Quickball Co-Founder
Question: What is the most underrated position in Quickball?
Answer: A Fungo Coach
Most baseball and softball folks are familiar with the term “Fungo.” The technical definition is a fly ball hit for fielding practice.
But the more widespread, working definition also includes grounders hit for fielding practice. Coaches who hit Fungos often use a special Fungo bat (thinner and lighter than a traditional wood or aluminum bat) to distribute all types of batted balls for defensive practice. But in Quickball, the Fungo coach doesn’t need a bat.
Stationed behind the AutoUmp strikezone target during Entry Level and Quickball Cycle game play, the Fungo coach distributes grounders and pop ups by throwing a live ball into the field of play anytime a batter fails to hit a fair ball in an allotted number of swings. Once this happens, the batter takes off and attempts to score by reaching base safely. The defense, meanwhile, attempts to score by recording an out.
Sounds simple — and it is. But the purpose of the Quickball Fungo coach is significant in two very important ways. One, it takes the pressure off of a batter who may be struggling to make contact and gives him or her a chance to score by reaching base safely. Two, it keeps the action flowing. Fielders stay active, batters learn the value of hustle and volunteer FCs (parents, siblings or friends) get to be involved in a meaningful way!
So who exactly makes a good Fungo coach? Anyone who can throw, roll or toss a ball with some degree of accuracy. That’s it.
Keeping a ball in hand as each batter steps to the plate, the Fungo coach silently picks out where the next live throw will go. If the batter makes contact, no worries – just hang onto the ball as the following batter steps into the batter’s box. But as soon as a batter doesn’t produce a fair ball on their final swing, the coach immediately rolls, bounces and lofts a ball into the field of play.
Experienced Fungo coaches study the fielders during each inning and spread the throws around, often directing their tosses to fielders who aren’t getting involved in the action. This helps to keep all players engaged and on their toes. As a whole, volunteers find the experience rewarding. They get to be on the field with their child or sibling and have an impact on the game experience.
But the greatest joy a Fungo coach can experience is seeing the excitement on a young player’s face after they make a play on a grounder or pop up. It’s a moment that can literally change the course of their entire season.
