Most three-hour practices are two hours of standing around

Picture the typical practice. The players warm up by throwing, catching, overthrowing and walking to get the ball. They’re cracking jokes and trying curveballs off their back foot.

Then it’s grounders. The coach hits one to the first third baseman, then the second one, then the shortstops. Finally you get a slow high-hopper and an easy throw. Now wait another 230 seconds for the next one.

Batting practice is more of the same. You’re third in line, then second. When it’s your turn, you take 10 swings with the same swing you had last weekend, and you get the same result.

Why are we even doing this?

Far too many players see practice as a necessary evil. And far too many coaches don’t see it for what it should be: Time spent fixing things.

I grew up on practices like that, and I ran them that way for years. Every coach has good intentions — but most of that time is still wasted.

A good practice doesn’t last a specific amount of time, so don’t feel like you have to work these kids to the bone. The truth is that most three-hour practices are two hours of standing around.

A good practice has a purpose. Every drill should fix a flaw or reinforce a good habit, and everyone should be moving at once (fielding drills with a partner, hitting drills where someone fields). Get rid of the lines.

And when it looks like they’re going through the motions, ask them why they’re there. If no one has an answer, end practice, because they’re done getting better for the day.