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Everyone who is a professional ball-player, and is designated as an outfielder, has good speed, a \u201cgood arm,\u201d and can catch balls that are hit in the air (as well as potential to hit for average or power). The subtle differences, that distinguish the great outfielders from the good ones, have a lot to do with certain physical attributes, such as arm strength and accuracy, as well as running speed, and a highly productive offensive capability. But, the most subtle characteristic that distinguishes the \u201cgreatest\u201d from the \u201cpack\u201d is an intangible element resident in individual \u201ctemperament.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Outfield can be a lonely, boring place for a mind that lacks a special creativity. A player who always needs to be closer to the \u201caction,\u201d whose sense of alertness can be stimulated only by the prospect of imminent responsibility, would be better suited for \u201cinfield,\u201d where fielding opportunities are more profuse.<\/p>\n
An outfielder doesn\u2019t get that many chances during the course of a nine inning game, so he can\u2019t afford to miss \u201cany\u201d opportunity to help his team. Selflessness is a key component to defining the ideal \u201coutfielder-temperament.\u201d He cannot hesitate to expend his energy, in any situation, even when the play is obviously not within his immediate vicinity. It is naturally expected of infielders to be under constant anticipation, when a ball is played, because of the close proximity to both the ball and the base runners. But the expenditure of energy by infielders is minimal because of the close proximity, as well as the highly motivating \u201cimminent responsibility.\u201d<\/p>\n
When a ball is hit to right field, most people would think that there wouldn\u2019t be anything for the left-fielder to do in that situation. Even in a \u201cBig-League\u201d game, a spectator will very seldom see the left-fielder do anything, unless that fielder happens to be one of a small percentage of players classified as \u201ca-great-one.\u201d Then the observer will have the opportunity to witness the creative response that characterizes the unique attitude of a great outfielder.<\/p>\n
In anticipation of the slightest chance that a mishap could occur, the left-fielder races toward the infield and positions himself in line with the throw coming to second base from the right fielder. Maybe once in 200 chances will he be involved in an errant play, but he still responds in the same manner. It would be unconscionable that a mishap should occur and he didn\u2019t back-up the play.<\/p>\n
On every ground ball to third base or short-stop, the \u201cgreat\u201d right-fielder is always racing toward the first base dugout hoping to recover any errant throw that might get by the first base-man, to prevent an extra base for the runner. It doesn\u2019t happen often, but when it does the \u201cgreat one\u201d is always ready. To the mind of every \u201cgreat\u201d outfielder there is something important to do on every play.<\/p>\n
It has been witnessed that, on a drag bunt toward third base with a fast runner on first, while the first and third basemen were charging, and shortstop covering second, that an ever-hustling left-fielder sprinted to third base and received credit for a put-out on the runner racing around second to third base, thinking no one was covering the bag. Anything can happen in Baseball, and the ever-thinking, creative mind of the \u201cgreat\u201d outfielder is always on the alert that \u201cit\u201d doesn\u2019t happen \u201con his watch.\u201d<\/p>\n
The baseball theatre is overflowing with dramatic possibilities for every situation. The \u201cgreat\u201d impresario of the outfield relishes in new and unrehearsed circumstances while the non-energetic \u201cdaisy-picker\u201d wallows in the mental miasma of tacit mediocrity. Thus the outfield is only a dull place for the dull mind.<\/p>\n
To reiterate, selflessness, high energy, and ingenuity characterize the excellent outfielder. Many are called, but few are chosen, or rather willing, to become supreme in that domain. Most would presume that all \u201cthat\u201d work would have a detrimental effect on their hitting, so they opt to merely get the job done \u201cwell-enough\u201d so as not to embarrass themselves.<\/p>\n
Every good team has at least one great outfielder. A great team usually has more.<\/p>\n
How and where does someone become a great outfielder? The only place to prepare to be \u201cgreat\u201d is on the practice field, both before the season begins and in pre-game batting practice during the season. Ideally the \u201cGreat One\u201d had the good fortune of being trained properly from his youth by a knowledgeable coach. Rare!<\/p>\n
Although the primary tool to outfield greatness is one\u2019s mental attitude, he still has to apply himself physically to accomplish the tasks for which he is acclaimed. Two specific and crucial tasks that every outfielder tries to accomplish and for which the \u201cgreat one\u201d is most consistent in performing are: throwing out runners trying to advance to another base, and making the great running catch that everyone in the ball-park thought was a sure hit.<\/p>\n
Both situations have a common element that all outfielders aspire to develop, but only the great ones seem to have perfected, that of getting the \u201cjump on the ball.\u201d Some of the fastest runners in Baseball could hardly be classified as \u201cgreat ones\u201d even though their speed certainly would have qualified them as eligible prospects.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe man who gets to the ball the fastest is not always the fastest runner.\u201d Getting the \u201cjump\u201d is a skill that takes practice. The only way to perfect this sensitive skill is through patient and \u201cperfect\u201d practice. (You can\u2019t do it only by having someone hit \u201cfungoes\u201d to you.) The prospective \u201cgreat one\u201d plays his position and fields balls off the bat that have been pitched, either in batting practice or in games.<\/p>\n
Batting practice allows for more chances in shorter time. Simulated games allow for a truer sense of reaction to the pitch thrown and batter\u2019s response. The most astute learner will apply himself with the same intensity in batting practice as in the game, until this procedure becomes more than a continuous learning situation, but an established insight and infallible instinct.<\/p>\n
What exactly is \u201cgetting the jump on the ball\u201d? The answer is, \u201c. . . the quickest-possible physical response by the fielder to the ball hit off the bat.\u201d Such response is heightened by the fielder\u2019s pre-disposed ability to \u201cread\u201d the type and direction of the pitch as well as the disposition of the batter to hit such pitch.<\/p>\n
The greatest of the \u201cgreat\u201d have the uncanny knack for \u201ctaking off\u201d seemingly before the ball is hit. To catch the ball after having gotten the great jump is a marvelous feat to behold. But the added dimension of running, catching, and then throwing a runner out at second, third, or home-plate livens any arena with gasps and exhilarating chants from awestruck fans and colleagues alike. When a runner is safe or out \u201cby a hair,\u201d there is usually one reason, the outfielder did or did not get to the ball as fast as he could have. All things being equal (all outfielders having the same speed, strength and accuracy of arm), there is no doubt that the time in which the fielder got to the ball and scooped, positioned himself, and threw within the same continuous motion determined the outcome of the play.<\/p>\n An outfielder is not born with this type of talent. He can only acquire it through hard work. In batting practice and game-situations, he must vigorously approach every ball hit to him through the infield as one in which he \u201cmust\u201d throw the runner out at the \u201cplate.\u201d He cannot practice starting fast then slowing down as he approaches the ball.<\/p>\n Only \u201cPerfect\u201d practice makes \u201cPerfect.\u201d He must strive to attain the most proficient \u201cknack\u201d for \u201cscooping\u201d at full speed, then manipulate his body to be able to throw powerfully and accurately (he doesn\u2019t have to throw the ball each time\u2014just get the body in position to throw). Half-hearted efforts will never help to attain the full status of \u201cthe great one.\u201d It had been witnessed that a \u201conce great\u201d outfielder who, for all extensive purposes, had lost a major portion of his arm strength but was a master at charging ground balls hit through the infield with a runner at second base, was so adept at this facet of his trade that, since he was so close to the infield when he picked up the ball, no third base coach felt confident to send the runner, even though \u201cthey\u201d all knew he couldn\u2019t throw. The beauty of Baseball is that anyone can develop any of the specific skills of the game through hard work. And mental adroitness can enhance the sense of greatness even in those individuals without the best of natural ability.<\/p>\n Next: Infield Play<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Outfield Play What type of player plays in the outfield? What are the qualifications for being a good outfielder? First of all, if a player is left-handed, and a fast runner, he\/she is probably a good prospect for outfield! Fast, right-handed people are also good prospects for outfield positions; but they can also play infield. … Continue reading Outfield Play:<\/span> <\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n