When playing an afternoon game our infield is in shade from trees and buildings while the outfield roughly beyond the base paths is in the sun. The harsh contrast makes it really hard to see what's going on at the plate and pick up the ball off the bat. Makes the outfields look like they're not paying attention especially on fly balls. Any tips for making the situation better? Polarized lenses? Keeping eyes dilated so shaded infield appears brighter? Have the infielders point to the ball? That's all I can think of that 'might' work.
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Only workable solution is to play at night. Does the field have lights?
The local HS diamond is situated such that the outfield (especially CF & RF - LF is shielded by the trees) is looking into the sun as the sun sets. If you're looking at the outfield from home plate, you're generally facing east north east.
Most of the varsity games start at 6-7 pm. At that time of day the sun is still hitting the outfield, but by 2nd-3rd inning, it's behind the trees if not already set.
In reality our home plate should be where the RF corner is and CF where LF corner is (if that make any sense).
No lights, maybe next year. Our left field faces directly into the sunset in late innings these days, it's understandable when they have problems fielding the ball. Center and right deal with the shade so when they can't track the ball it looks like they're just not paying attention. Not a new problem and I'm sure the coaches are aware. Both teams deal with it so I guess the "pain" is spread equally.
Didja ever wonder how all the outfielders who played there before dealt with it?