Which outfielder is most important ?

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Here's what I believe. RF has the best arm of the 3. CF is the fastest and most knowlegable (a true leader). Hopefully a great glove to go with it. LF should have the most consistant glove. A strong arm in RF minimizes the runners reaching 3rd and home. The majority of hitters are right handed and the majority of the hits are on the left side of the field. Why else is the strongest glove on the team at short? CF needs to cover the most area so she better be fast.

 

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Jeronimo ... agree with you generally speaking, though its often the same person who has all 3 of those characteristics, so then where do you put them (I say CF)? Also, I'm not sure there's been a fastpitch team I ever coached or followed closely where a majority of the hits were to the left side. The shortstop gets a little more added emphasis because of taking the throws down and because the throw to first is longer. I'd have to go back and look again, but I think my 2B has always got more chances than my SS.

 

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Ok, I did not read all the posts so if I repeat something I apologize. First I think it depends on your pitching. That said, I think it is the Right fielder. This is the position that must back up throws on bunts, can throw runners out at first from the OF, and backs up throws from infield on ground balls. Now, the other outfielders have these responsibilities as well, but I think the RF gets more chances than the rest, therefore I need a very good fielding RF (especially if my infieders can't throw )

 

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harley78, don't take offense to my response just as my response didn't directly answer your question. I live for a good debate on any softball subject. My concern is as clear as the nose on everyone's face (assuming everyone has a nose). I prefer we not attach a stigma to positions, especially in modern day women's softball. Everyone should be aware that the game has evolved to a level where we shouldn't be minimizing any position. Thank yourself and the other coaches and parents for helping young ladies learn how to play this game to an all time high. Thank you players that have the desire to take the game to the top!

I understand we need to position players to get the best defensive outcome. Each position could be ranked in order of importance but there are variables that need to be considered. As mentioned, your pitching staff should be a factor as well as pitch calling. You simply cannot say that any given positions are more important without looking at the variables.

However, when I'm involved in tryouts, my ranking to fill positions are as follows; Pitcher, catcher, 3rd base, 1st base, outfielder, 2nd base, shortstop, outfield, outfield. The first 4 positions on my list handle the ball more than anyone else so they have the most opportunity to have a positive effect on the defensive outcome.

I refuse to minimize any position but we deal with people being a variable and certain facts cannot be ignored. Outside of pitcher and catcher, others better be able to get on base somehow.

 

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daboss, I use to agree with how you fill positions till a good coach asked and proved to me a mistake in the infield was one base, a mistake in the outfield can be the 2 bases or more. He changed my mind after I say a OF drop one and two runs came across the plate for a loss, he moved an infielder to the OF in the next game .

 

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Sbfamily ... you are right that outfield mistakes are bigger, but the thing is that the infield gets a lot more opportunities to make a mistake in the course of a game. I am not discounting the importance of a good outfield but I tend to agree with daboss, though I probably would put 2B & SS a little higher and 1B a little lower because of the relative difficulty of the middle infield positions ... having to move to both sides to cover more territory, more throwing involved, etc.

 

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coachjwb has explained my reasoning sbfamily, thank you. Again I don't want to minimize any position----not in today's game at any level.

It only stands to reason that the more opportunity you have it increases the odds for mistakes. It also stands to reason that the farther away you are from the diamond the more opportunity for baserunners to advance and score. I think we can all agree with that statement the outfield is important.

Having a solid 1st baseman completes most put out attempts. She's on the receiving end of throws most of the time and needs to have solid fielding/catching skills to complete a play. For this reason, they touch the ball as much as the 3rd baseman, a player that has to play the game short and cover deep while still able to cover a bag. I believe we can all agree it takes a special player with grit and character to play 3rd base and many may be surprised to know the numbers are almost identical for the 2 positions if you score a season.

Sharon Drysdale, retired head coach from Northwestern, has a book that shares the stats on almost every facet of fastpitch. She's a Hall of Fame coach that is highly regarded in the coaching ranks and over her 30+ years of coaching she's analyzed all those little things that make you wonder, but most of us will never take the time to document true results on the best way to play the game. Her numbers are used by the best in coaching to make decisions and she is quoted by the likes of Jay Miller and Mike Candrea. I can't remember the name of the book, but do a search and get it if you can. You may be surprised when you see the comparisons and understand now why coaches like in the college World Series make the calls they do. It has helped me formulate my coaching philosophy from everything from choosing players to calling pitches because she can share the stats on what is the most successful in any given situation.

Coach Drysdale will admit there are always variables but her reasoning gives you some insight to base an opinion. Dang, I read that book years ago and lost it. I highly recommend it to all softball coaches.

 

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If it's the complete guide to winning softball, that book is from the 80's. You can get another copy daboss for under a buck online.

 

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It's a great book, very useful.

 

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Ok, I did not read all the posts so if I repeat something I apologize. First I think it depends on your pitching. That said, I think it is the Right fielder. This is the position that must back up throws on bunts, can throw runners out at first from the OF, and backs up throws from infield on ground balls. Now, the other outfielders have these responsibilities as well, but I think the RF gets more chances than the rest, therefore I need a very good fielding RF (especially if my infieders can't throw )

Thank you firefly the more i read these posts the better sense it makes why the right fielder is very important, The thing is i havent seen to many coaches give the green light to throw to first if they think they can get the runner out at first because of bad throw puts runner in scoring position .