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| Baseball outfielding: |
Essential Technique
Fly Balls
Like fielding ground balls, catching fly balls is rooted in perfect technique on the average fly ball. In between pitches, hang out, relax, but once the pitch crosses the plate, you should be moving your feet in place, like a tennis player. Too many outfielders are flat-footed. Moving your feet is a simple way to garner momentum, while also remaining focused. On a fly ball right at you, you should always line up your shoulders almost sideways, pointing at your eventual throwing target. Catch the ball with two hands held head high, unless you’re on the run, whereupon you catch it with one hand. Most types of fly balls are simply a variation of that break down.
On balls you have to move for, immediately sprint to the spot you think the ball will end up. You must pump your arms and run on your toes. If it’s in front, keep your eye on it. If it’s over your head, put your head down and run, then find the ball again. DO NOT float, drift, or saunter after the ball. Running to the spot gives you time to make adjustments due to a misread, the wind, or the sun. It also gives you extra range on balls almost out of reach, simply because if you are always expecting a sprint, you are prepared when the situation arises. After all, you can always slow down, but you can’t speed up. So, always run to the spot as hard as you can, break down, and use the fly ball catching technique (Photos 11A-C).
Just because an outfielder doesn’t have to make a throw doesn’t mean he should not be in good throwing position when the ball is caught. If there are runners on base, always hold back one or two steps and move into the ball so you can smoothly go into your throwing motion. This happens far too often when the outfielder has to actually make a throw, but if they do it every time, it will become habit.
Angle of Pursuit
Too many outfielders take bad angles on balls. They must remember that they shouldn’t run at the ball, but to where the ball is going to be when it’s caught (Graphs 2A-B). This requires the concept of angle of pursuit, where for example, on a ball in the gap, the outfielder doesn’t run straight across, but actually runs back and over. This needs to be practiced for the outfielder to get a feel for running with correct angles.
Notes:
1) On balls over your head, immediately drop step, and run back.
2) On balls in front, sprint in and try for a shoestring catch, but if necessary, do a feet-first slide so you can be in control to best catch the ball.
3) Note the curve of a ball. Most balls to right field from a right-handed hitter will fade away to the foul line, while balls to left field from a left-handed hitter will also fade to the foul line.
Ground Balls
There are two ways to field ground balls: The safe way, and do-or-die.
The Safe Way
When a runner singles and there will be no play at the next base, an outfielder has to do everything possible to keep the ball in front, whether there’s a bad hop, a poor field, or not. Simply put, the outfielder must follow correct ground ball technique, with the legs spread wide and the glove far out in front (the fielding triangle). He should read the hop, and always try to get the long hop. Another valid technique is taking a knee to be extra sure.
Do-Or-Die
When the outfielder has to make a throw to stop a runner at a base, things change, yet stay the same. That is, the outfielder still cannot let the ball get by him at any costs. Yet, the outfielder must be aggressive, charge hard, come up clean, and be in position to throw. To best do this, rely on correct ground ball technique, where you sprint with your arms at your side, read the hop, break-down late, field the ball, then step and throw. The only difference is that if the outfielder gets the long hop or an easy short-hop, he can already have his shoulders squared and lined up with the target and then catch the ball off the side of the glove-hand foot (Photos 12A-B). If he’s not sure if he might get an in-between hop, he has to take a little extra caution and spread his legs and field it in front of him to make sure it doesn’t get by him.
Throwing to Bases and to Home
It is important for outfielders to know how to throw to bases. First off, every throw should be as much on a line as possible, allowing the cut-off man to be incorporated. Note that if the cut-off man is not there, it’s not your fault. To make sure, throw the ball with an across-the-seams/four seam grip. Next, every throw should be on a line to the base in the air (that is frequently the case when throwing to second). But if the throw is too far, you should aspire to a one-hop throw to the base. This perfectly coincides with where the infield cut-off man should be. Also, a one-hop throw means the fielder at the base will get the long hop, as opposed to a short-hop or an in-between hop which is very tough to handle. This applies mostly to throwing home or to third.
If you can’t reach on one hop, then the cutoff man becomes your greatest ally, as he will come out (knowing your arm strength), and relay the ball onward. This is quite adequate and is quicker than a rainbow throw directly to the base. It is important to throw the same distance consistently to allow the infielder to know where to play. Don’t overthrow him as it allows trailing runners to advance, creates bad throws, and causes havoc. The only exception is on a sacrifice fly with a runner at third only, or when it’s the winning run at the plate. Then, only then, can you push the envelope and try to reach the catcher in the air. But remember, one high arcing long throw isn’t as quick as two short throws on a line.
Balls at Fence
When balls stop at a fence, or stop rolling beyond the outfielder, too many outfielders pick up the ball, put it in their glove while standing up, crow-hop, then throw it to the relay man. This takes too long. Instead, the outfielder should pick up the ball bare-handed, while at the same time aligning his feet to throw. Then, he simply throws from the ground to the relay man (Photo 13). This is much quicker.
Sun Technique
When balls are hit into a sun field, even if the sun doesn’t appear to affect viewing of the ball, always put your glove up and block the sun. Move your head around the glove to get a different angle on the ball (Photo 14). This is the only way to catch balls in the sun. Sunglasses must be brought out into the field – and used – even if the sun is intermittent throughout the game. Also, communicate with your other fielders so they know to help out with balls hit to you.
Backing Up
Outfielders need to back-up bases and throws to truly help their team. On ground balls to the left side of the infield, the right-fielder should sprint towards the fence behind the first baseman (not towards the actual base). But most importantly, the outfielder needs to know when pickoffs and steals are on because these are high-risk throws often resulting in errors. On pickoffs to first, the right-fielder backs up. On pickoffs to second, or steal attempts, the center fielder must come flying in to back up. This is an essential point of emphasis, as well as on steals of third, where the left-fielder must do everything to back up to prevent a run.
Mental Approach
Positioning
To be good at positioning for each hitter, an outfielder needs to be aware that most hitters pull ground balls and line drives, and hit fly balls the opposite field. This is the key element in figuring out where an outfielder should be positioned. Most everything is referred to in relation to imaginary lines extending from first to second to the outfield fence; or from a line from third to second to the outfield fence, or a line from home through second to the outfield fence. If each outfielder stands on these imaginary lines, he is playing straight away. In turn, the outfielders will be perfectly equidistant (Graphs 3A-B).
But not everyone always plays straight away. In short, against an average right-handed batter, the left fielder will play back and straight-away. The center fielder will play back and straight-away, while the right fielder (the trailer) will lag behind, playing a little bit in, and a little bit over. The trailing outfielder plays shallower because hitters usually can’t hit the ball as far to the opposite field, unless they have proven any differently.
The center fielder’s responsibility is shading one gap or another. It is essential to have a good handle on covering the right center gap because that is where hitters hit triples, a contrast to the left-center gap.
To be good at positioning, the outfielder (and the outfield coach), must pay attention to the hitter’s tendencies, incorporate the pitcher’s speed, and know the wind, the sun, and which way the ball will curve if hit straight at him. In addition, all outfielders must move as one. If the center fielder shades to left-center, the left fielder should move towards the left-field line, while the right-fielder should move in a little.
Communication
It is essential to communicate with the other outfielders (and infielders) on every ball hit. Don’t call a ball until it is on the way down. On balls between fielders, the center fielder has priority over everybody, and the outfielders have priority over the infielders. Use the call “I’ve got it, I’ve got it, I’ve got it” three times on a ball you are going to catch. If the other person is catching it, yell “Take it, take it, take it.” When a late decision must be made, the center fielder should run in front and try to catch the ball head high, while the other outfielder should stay behind and try to catch the ball knee high. This helps prevent collisions and injuries.
OPPOSING THEORIES:
There isn’t too much debate over outfield technique, although there is always some discussion of outfielders over-throwing cut-off men. Quite often, the outfielder makes a correct throw, but the cut-off man is in the wrong position. Don’t automatically blame the outfielder. The infielder should position himself according to the outfielder’s arm strength that specific day. Positioning is also debatable, as some coaches are aggressive and over-exaggerate positioning, while others stay conservative and play straightaway all the time. Yet again, some players jump to incorrect knee-jerk conclusions on positioning a hitter based on batting practice or one bad swing. This is the double-edge sword and should be avoided, but the concept of being an aggressive positioner should not be blunted. After all, good positioning is the great underrated aspect of the game.
Practice Drills
Practicing outfield technique indoors is difficult, but can still be approximated.
INDOOR DRILLS
Ground Ball Technique Drills
See Infielders section, plus add do-or-die ground balls.
Long Toss into a Net
Try to throw on a line or with a slight arc, making sure to get extension not up, but out.
Thrown Fly Balls
Throw fly balls in any direction, particularly straight over outfielder’s heads.
Wave Drill
Mass team drill where the coach holds a ball in different directions and the players break to the corresponding direction, be it a drop-step back, or a cross-over to the side.
Angle of Pursuit Drills
Have two players line up like a defensive back and a wide receiver. Have the wide receiver make a beeline for the sideline. The defensive back has to take the correct angle of pursuit (back and over) to stop the runner. This demonstrates correct angle of pursuit for an outfielder. Then, start players running and lead them with thrown balls. Vary the pace on the throw to demonstrate how they need to take a deeper angle sometimes.
OUTDOOR DRILLS
All of the indoor drills, plus:
Batting Practice
This is truly the only way to immensely improve. Take chances and seriously challenge yourself on all balls.
Simulated Games
Essential. Great for relays and communicating with other fielders.
One-hop Catch
Stand far back and focus on giving your partner a long hop.
Line Drives Directly over Outfielder’s Heads
Work on reading the ball.
Hit Ground Balls
Most outfield errors are on ground balls.
Controlled Fungoes
Call out situations. Good for practicing all the different variables.
1. Problem: Poor Positioning
Remedy:
Anticipate where the hitter hits fly balls and line drives
Pay attention to hitter’s tendencies
Incorporate pitcher’s speed
Know the sun and wind
Move with the other outfielders
Check with the coach after every batter
Drills:
Practice anticipating where your own teammates hit it during batting practice
Simulated games
2. Problem: Poor angles
Remedy:
Run to where the ball will be caught, not where it is
Get a feel for how much ground you can cover
Run on toes
Drills:
Angle of pursuit drills
Wave drill
Field balls during batting practice
Simulated games
3. Problem: Not fielding balls clean the safe-way
Remedy:
Follow infield ground-ball technique
Take a knee
Expect a bad hop
Drills:
Short hop drills
Conscientiously taking ground balls during batting practice
Simulated games
4. Problem: Not fielding ball clean the do-or-die way.
Remedy:
Don’t panic
Correct technique
Don’t field on the side if it’s an in-between hop
Drills:
Short hop drills
Situations with fungoes to replicate pressure
Controlled games
5. Problem: Not backing up
Remedy:
Stay involved in the game
Drills:
Controlled scrimmages
6. Problem: Not preparing to throw on tag-ups
Remedy:
Don’t be careless
Catch every ball in the correct throwing position
Drills:
Situations with fungoes to replicate pressure
Simulated games
7. Problem: Not getting good jumps
Remedy:
Tennis player-like pre-pitch movement
Gain experience reading ball off bat
Drills:
Wave drills
Angle of pursuit drills
Try for every ball during batting practice
8. Problem: Not running to spot (drifting)
Remedy:
Run on toes
Pump your arms
Break down late and hard
Drills:
Fly ball technique drills
Outfield fungoes
Catching balls correctly during batting practice
9. Problem: Losing balls in sun
Remedy:
Wear sunglasses
Immediately put glove in front of sun, whether you think you need it or not
Drills:
Using sunglasses and catching balls off the bat during batting practice
10. Problem: How do I get a feel for and have rhythm as an outfielder?
Remedy:
Work on getting great jumps
Run on your toes with long strides
Always sprint to the spot, then break down
Be a master of positioning
Try to do the technique fast and hard, but smoothly
Be aggressive on ground balls and always eliminate the in-between hop
Drills:
Field balls live in batting practice
Simulated games
Always do things game speed
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| Club | G | V | D | Pnct. |
| 1 Kvint |
12 |
12 |
0 |
36 |
| 2 Abator |
13 |
8 |
5 |
29 |
| 3 SDISOR |
13 |
7 |
6 |
27 |
| 4 Scorpion |
12 |
6 |
6 |
23 |
| 5 Hawks |
12 |
5 |
7 |
22 |
| 6 Cojusna |
12 |
3 |
9 |
18 |
| 7 Corsairs |
12 |
2 |
10 |
16 |
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| Name | AVR | SLG | team |
| 1 Burmei |
521 |
667 |
CRS |
| 2 Covalenco |
476 |
738 |
KVT |
| 3 Vloscinschii |
459 |
486 |
ABT |
| 4 Butnari |
432 |
705 |
CRS |
| 5 Belous |
423 |
462 |
KVT |
| 6 Postolachi |
407 |
519 |
CRS |
| 7 Novac |
400 |
543 |
ABT |
| 8 Fleostor |
385 |
500 |
ABT |
| 9 Soltan |
382 |
529 |
HWK |
| 10 Cuceric |
357 |
357 |
HWK |
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| Title | Name |
| MOST VALUED PLAYER |
Fleostor |
| BEST HITTER |
Burmei |
| BEST PITCHER |
Novac |
| BEST RBI runs batted in |
Butnari |
| MOST STOLEN BASE |
Fleostor |
| MOST RUNS SCORED |
Burmei |
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