Final answer:
An infielder in baseball can improve their reaction time and impulse management by practicing coordinated movements and focusing on visual tracking, similar to 'giving' with a ball when catching it to reduce impact force.
Step-by-step explanation:
An infielder moving to the ball after it has been hit on the ground can improve by working on their reaction time and impulse management techniques. Improvements in these areas enable the player to coordinate and adjust their movement speed and direction more effectively. The concept of impulse is particularly relevant as it is the product of force and the time over which the force is applied. Just like catching a ball smoothly by 'giving' with it reduces the force of impact, an infielder moving efficiently reduces the effort needed to reach and field the baseball. To better react and move towards the ball, an infielder should practice scenarios that mimic gameplay, enhancing their visual tracking skills and neuromuscular coordination.
For example, when you catch a ball while 'giving' with it, this method of catching allows for a smoother stop, due to an increased time over which the change in momentum (or impulse) is occurring. Similarly, an infielder who adjusts their movement can reduce the harshness of starting and stopping, allowing for a faster and more controlled approach to the ball. When considering the property of water impacts, a softer landing (like with fingers first compared to a full palm or 'belly flop') causes less abrupt deceleration, which can be analogous to lessening the intensity of the stop when fielding a ball. Additionally, infielders should work on coordinating their head and eye movements to keep their focus on the ball, utilizing the cerebrum part of the brain, which is crucial for coordination.