Section 6: The Outfield
The outfielders are the
team's last line of defense.
If the ball gets past an outfielder, a single could turn into a double, a triple or a run. Remember, fastpitch teams select girls for their skills and to fill portions the coach wants to strengthen. If you were chosen to play an outfield position, your coach must believe you are quick to the ball, have a good throwing arm, and are able to understand the situation to throw the ball to the correct infield position. That's quite a compliment.
Right, center and left positions share many common skill traits, but have very specific assignments that are special to their position. Top on the list of common responsibilities is to "plan ahead" because every hit or attempted steal results in the outfield moving to very specific spots.
Common skills and responsibilities:
- when a ball is hit stand firm until you know whether the ball is to you, in front of you, or behind you (Don't start running the second you hear the bat hit the ball. Wait until you've judge its direction)
- since your area of the field is so large, you must decide before each pitch where to stand for each batter. Your coach will help, but you should know if the hitter is right handed, left handed, a power hitter, a bunter, etc. and move to the place in your area she is most likely to hit to.
- when a ball is hit behind you, turn -- tuck your glove under your arm pit -- and watch the ball over your shoulder as you run to meet the ball (Good fastpitch outfielders don't backstep to catch the ball unless in is only a few feet behind them.)
- catch pop ups with your glove up and using BOTH hands
- don't let any ground ball get past you (even if this means dropping to their knees and stopping the ball with their body)
- throw the ball quickly and accurately
- you always have the job of backing up and infield base player
- when fly balls are hit just over the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and shortstop's heads, outfielders make the call to determine if you or the base player will catch the ball. If you don't call out "I got It!" the base player will assume she must make the catch. If you do make the call, the base player backs off to back you up as you make the catch. Just make sure that if you call for the catch, you make the catch. Communicate.
- when a ball is hit between outfielders, the center fielder determines who will retrieve the ball and make the throw. Again, communicate, communicate, communicate.
Specific Position Responsibilities:
Right Field (behind first base):
- back up 1st and 2nd base players when balls are hit to them
- back up 1st base on throws made to the first base player (this is critical more singles have turned into doubles and triples by the ball escaping the first baseman and no one is behind her to retrieve the ball)
- fly balls that are just over the 1st or 2nd base players' heads, you make the call to determine if you or the base player will catch the ball.
- your cut off player is usually the second base player
Center Field:
- back up plays at 2nd (If a throw is made to stop a steal at second and the infielder on second base misses the ball, you are the only player able to stop the runner from continuing on to third base or home.)
- the centerfielder takes charge of balls that are hit between fielders. You call out who should take charge of the play.
- your cut off player could be the 2nd or shortstop player depending on which side of second base the ball is hit
Left Field (behind the shortstop)
- in many ways left field is the mirror image of right field
- you are the back up for all infield plays at third
- your cut off player is usually the shortstop
- you should understand the run down play in case you, the third baseman and the catcher are trying to run down a player attempting to score from third
This term has been used on this page and should be explained. Balls that are hit far into any outfield position are nearly impossible to retrieve and then throw all the way to a base (especially in the younger age brackets). If is faster, more accurate, and safer if the fielder throws the ball to an "in between" player. This is the cut off person. Usually this person is the second base player for balls hit to right and right center. The cut off person for balls hit to left and left center is usually the short stop. When in doubt, the outfielder should throw the ball to the cut off person and let her make the throw to a base or take the ball to the pitcher.
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