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Outfielders are probably the most overlooked players in baseball. Not much
has been written about what an outfielder does and how to do it. In this
article, I will attempt to do both.
Most people know the outfielder occupies the part of a baseball field
that lies beyond the infield and between two foul lines. Their defensive
positions are called right field, centerfield, and left field. As far are
what he does, they know the outfielder's duty is to catch fly ball. Of
course, this is true and is the top of the list of an outfielder's duties,
of which are many.
- Catch fly balls
- Field a ball that has been hit and throw it back into the infield before a
runner can advance to the next base.
- Possess a strong arm.
- Possess an accurate throw to the right bases.
- Possess proper footwork
- Quickness of foot using crossover and drop steps.
- Cutting off balls hit into the gaps.
- Back up other outfielders
- Back up infielders
- Back up throws.
- Hit the cut-off man with throws he can handle.
- Expect every pitch to be hit in his direction.
- Before the pitcher delivers the ball, the outfielder should get into a
relaxed athletic stance with weight evenly distributed on the balls of the
feet, knees bent, and feet a comfortable distance apart.
- It's O.K. to put your hands on the knees until the pitcher starts to
deliver the ball, but then get them up.
- Always pay attention.
- Know the score
- Know the number of outs.
- Know the location of any runner on base.
- Know the type of hitter at the plate.
- Make sure undivided attention is focused on the hitting zone as the ball
nears the plate.
- A left fielder draws an imaginary line from first base through second base
into left field to know where straightaway left is located
- A right fielder draws an imaginary line from third base through second
base into right field to know where straightaway right is located.
- A center fielder uses home plate and second base to locate straightaway
center field.
- Shift positions according to situation, pitcher, or batter.
- Communicate with other outfielders properly.
- Keep the head still and pick up the ball as delivered by the pitcher and
watch it to the point of contact.
- Keep body square to the hitting zone as the ball is delivered.
- Get to the spot where the ball is going to come down quickly as possible.
- Use the crossover step to move right or left.
- Catch the ball over the head with the glove and the other hand if able to
reach the spot where the ball is coming down.
- If you have to catch a ball on a run, catch it with one hand.
- On tag plays, if time permits, try to get to a spot ten feet behind where
the ball comes down, so as to gain momentum on the throw.
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