What is pepper in baseball?

Pepper in baseball is a warm-up drill or game played by players to improve their reflexes, fielding skills, and hand-eye coordination. It is often played during team practices or before games.

Here are some key points about pepper in baseball:

1. Players stand relatively close together, typically around 10-15 feet apart, in a small area (such as behind one of the bases on the field or in front of the dugout).
2. The drill involves players hitting the ball towards teammates, who try to field the ball and quickly throw it back to the hitter.
3. The hitter's objective is to hit the ball in a way that challenges the fielders, but not too hard to make it uncontrollable.
4. Fielders must be quick on their feet and react swiftly to the ball coming towards them. They can use gloves to catch or barehand the ball, depending on their preference.
5. The hitter should aim to hit the ball at different angles, speeds, and heights to test the fielders' abilities.
6. The drill is usually played in a fast-paced manner, with quick exchanges between the hitter and the fielders.
7. Pepper helps players sharpen their reflexes, develop soft hands, work on their footwork, and enhance their throwing accuracy.
8. It is a fun and engaging warm-up activity that promotes teamwork and camaraderie as players interact closely with each other.
9. Pepper can also help players improve their batting skills as they get accustomed to hitting different types of pitches and adjusting their swing accordingly.
10. While pepper is generally played with a small group of players, it can be modified to suit larger teams by incorporating additional players or using multiple hitters and fielders simultaneously.

Overall, pepper is a popular and effective warm-up drill in baseball that helps players become more agile, skillful, and prepared for the game.