Basic Outfielding

Outfield isnt my thing but I do know one thing, make sure you dont watch the ball from the pitchers hand to the bat. Watch the zone and his swing on it for a better read. This is true for all positions but you should just remember this

Any more thoughts?
Particularly, how to judge balls more quickly.

Lots of fungoes hit at you. That is the way to judge balls more quickly.

Know the tendency of the ball off the bat for a pull hit and an oppo hit by both RH and LH batters. E.g., the oppo field "slice".

Remember the wind.

Learn how to execute a proper turn & sprint for the ball hit over your head.

listen to the sound of the bat, it can tell you whether or not it's a solid hit or a bloop.

remember first step back. ITs always easier to come in on a ball then to go back on one.

On balls hit in the gap; take a big angle, you can always come in but if it gets by you your coach is going to see your tail end running to the fence and picking up the ball.... and that is one of my least favorite sights in baseball.

Always hit the cut off man and 75% of throws from the outfield should go to 2nd base

Some have mentioned big angles and first step back. You must also learn and know the flight paths of certain balls hit. Righty hits one in the air and it will tail toward to your glove side if you're righty or hand side if you're lefty. Righty hits liner and the spin may have it moving opposite. Same with lefty. Your 1st step back should be determined by what side hitter you have, and how he's hit the ball, fly, liner, hopper. If a righty hits a fly ball to CF, you will want to take your 1st step back to your left and then read the flight from there. All routes can be practiced, have the coach fungo the different types of hits and practice seeing the flight path of the ball. Also, always try to put yourself in a position to throw as you receive the ball. Hard to do when running one down overhead, but most times you can get behind the ball and be ready to throw. Good luck.

Here's my three cents on outfielding.

1) Know who has the over-riding call.

2) Always backup the player next to you.

3) If you have it call it loud.

4) Guide the player going back on the ball if you have a good angle on it, especially when nearing the fence.

5) Make the outfield motto 'Nothing Drops'

Couple things I haven't seen mentioned:

Play aggressively, but under control and play with confidence.

I heard a saying a few years ago and tell our outfielders all the time, "Roam It Like You Own It".

First off, catch the ball

things you should focus on are:

- Judging the ball quickly off the bat
- First step back(shouldnt matter if you judge the ball correctly)
- Two hands until the ball is in the webbing of your glove

Runners on base:

- Always get the ball in quickly
- Square yourself up and be ready to make a good throw
- Keep your arm slot "over the top"(takes away movement on your throw
- It's VERY important to hit the cut off man.(If you can't throw the ball on a line to it's destination then always hit the cut. Rainbows are no good.


I think i covered most of the basics. If i left anything out feel free to correct me.

Hope it works out for you. Good luck!