Who plays in your outfield?

[gobug]

Just because YOUR daughter had trouble mastering the outfield, doesn't mean its harder. You saying that only bad coaches do it, that's an opinion. So you have a girl that can hit the lights out of the ball but stinks in the field. You would stick her at shortstop? How about first? That's stupid in my opinion. You want her in the lineup and if you already have a dp, you stick her in left or right. Go ahead, stick her at short, or catcher, and see what happens.

I'm not going to go back and forth with you because obviously it would be and act of futility.

At a certain level you rarely find more than one player on a team who is solely a DP. Truthfully on most of the high level teams even the stud hitters are competent fielders. I'm sure you'll disagree with that also, but you seem to enjoy being contentious just for the sake of being so.

By the way, I still stand by my assertion that the skills required to become a good OF are just as demanding and difficult as those needed for IF.

ETA: By the way, the not so subtle knock to my DD was duly noted. Getting your point across without a dig towards a teenage girl is a much more adult way of debating.

 

[ApogeeDemon]

I'm not going to go back and forth with you because obviously it would be and act of futility.

At a certain level you rarely find more than one player on a team who is solely a DP. Truthfully on most of the high level teams even the stud hitters are competent fielders. I'm sure you'll disagree with that also, but you seem to enjoy being contentious just for the sake of being so.

By the way, I still stand by my assertion that the skills required to become a good OF are just as demanding and difficult as those needed for IF.

ETA: By the way, the not so subtle knock to my DD was duly noted. Getting your point across without a dig towards a teenage girl is a much more adult way of debating.

At least you are saying its an opinion. Even MLB follows the same pattern. Remember Jose Canseco? Couldn't catch a cold but played outfield because he could hit. I know, that's baseball but its very similar. Here is a baseball guru link where he also feels that left field is the easiest position to play. Anyways, opinions vary but youll continue to see weak fielders in left and right.
http://www.stevepinto.com/Baseball_Knowledge/Baseball_Field/8388.html

 

[Ri-domination]

I'm having a hard time with this thread, first off I personally cannot say I feel playing in the outfield is harder than playing middle infield. Secondly, I cannot say that playing outfield takes no skill or athletic ability. Infield/ outfield are two different beasts, they both require an athletic player who has worked at the skillset needed to play that position. With that having been said I'm not sure where there are such big differences in opinion on this matter, bottom line is to have a top team you need athletic players at all positions with the skillset developed at those positions to play as a solid defensive team. Here comes the old saying,,, all positions are important. I know that in this last year there has been a lot of talk with my dds 10u team needing to have a more solid and skilled outfield, not necessarily just by getting new players but by developing all players we have to understand all involved with playing the outfield and to make sure we don't overlook the time that is needed to put in practicing and developing that. Development and athleticism are critical at all positions. IMHO.

 

[gobug]

At least you are saying its an opinion. Even MLB follows the same pattern. Remember Jose Canseco? Couldn't catch a cold but played outfield because he could hit. I know, that's baseball but its very similar. Here is a baseball guru link where he also feels that left field is the easiest position to play. Anyways, opinions vary but youll continue to see weak fielders in left and right.
http://www.stevepinto.com/Baseball_Knowledge/Baseball_Field/8388.html

Out of all the "Baseball Gurus", you pick this guy? LOL You're basing your hypothesis on a guy whose claim to baseball fame was playing for the Catskill Cougars and Newburgh Nighthawks? Oops, sorry! He was also the hitting and bench coach for the Cougars for a couple of years. If you were quoting Bobby Cox or Joe Torre, I'd put a bit more valuation on your statements. Thanks for giving me a laugh. I needed one today.

 

[Frosty Softballs]

I'm having a hard time with this thread, first off I personally cannot say I feel playing in the outfield is harder than playing middle infield. Secondly, I cannot say that playing outfield takes no skill or athletic ability. Infield/ outfield are two different beasts, they both require an athletic player who has worked at the skillset needed to play that position. With that having been said I'm not sure where there are such big differences in opinion on this matter, bottom line is to have a top team you need athletic players at all positions with the skillset developed at those positions to play as a solid defensive team. Here comes the old saying,,, all positions are important. I know that in this last year there has been a lot of talk with my dds 10u team needing to have a more solid and skilled outfield, not necessarily just by getting new players but by developing all players we have to understand all involved with playing the outfield and to make sure we don't overlook the time that is needed to put in practicing and developing that. Development and athleticism are critical at all positions. IMHO.

Developing players is a long lost art. Coaches today are looking for the next great thing by the end of June.

 

[Ri-domination]

No great thing just comes along, someones putting in the work. The kids either got to get it from the coaching staff, private instruction, at home with mom/dad, or the best way,,,, from all three.

 

[Ri-domination]

Developing players is a long lost art. Coaches today are looking for the next great thing by the end of June.

I do hear what your saying though,,,, loud and clear

 

[Frosty Softballs]

Need to pound this in some parents heads.

Coaches bashing parents is a constant on this site. Why can't we all just get along. NOT!!

 

[ApogeeDemon]

Out of all the "Baseball Gurus", you pick this guy? LOL You're basing your hypothesis on a guy whose claim to baseball fame was playing for the Catskill Cougars and Newburgh Nighthawks? Oops, sorry! He was also the hitting and bench coach for the Cougars for a couple of years. If you were quoting Bobby Cox or Joe Torre, I'd put a bit more valuation on your statements. Thanks for giving me a laugh. I needed one today.

And where are your quotes that right field is the hardest spot on the field? Oh, that's right, you don't have any. Thanks, I needed a good laugh too.

 

[Wishuwereme]

Developing players is a long lost art. Coaches today are looking for the next great thing by the end of June.

The coaches that are looking for the next best thing, are the same coaches that are either too afraid,or Ill equipped to coach em up.

This is stuff is simple. If they need help with a drop step,,, work on a drop step. Trouble breaking on the ball,,, teach them how to judge the ball off the bat. ***tip*** use the backstop as a guide. Trouble with angles,,, teach them proper angles. All this takes practice, and too many coaches shy away from thinking outside the box for practices. This is what has me so frustrated with the coaches looking for the next best thing.

 

[gobug]

And where are your quotes that right field is the hardest spot on the field? Oh, that's right, you don't have any. Thanks, I needed a good laugh too.

I never claimed that RF or any OF position was the most difficult position on the field. You do enjoy trying to twist people's statements don't you? Unfortunately you stating it doesn't make it true and truthfully makes you sound rather desperate in trying to prove your point.

In that regard, the only thing I've ever stated is that IMO the skills set needed to excel as an outfielder are just as challenging, though very different as those needed to excel at an IF position and they take just as much hard work to become a standout in those positions.

I've also stated IMO that any coach who is coaching at a higher level, 14U and above who tries to hide an unqualified player in the OF is going to have that decision come back to haunt him or her.

 

[Westler33]

Man this is getting out of control. The thread is who plays in your outfield not what is the harder position they are both their own beast. I think this back and forth is crazy you need good outfield and good infield.

 

[Frosty Softballs]

The coaches that are looking for the next best thing, are the same coaches that are either too afraid,or Ill equipped to coach em up.

This is stuff is simple. If they need help with a drop step,,, work on a drop step. Trouble breaking on the ball,,, teach them how to judge the ball off the bat. ***tip*** use the backstop as a guide. Trouble with angles,,, teach them proper angles. All this takes practice, and too many coaches shy away from thinking outside the box for practices. This is what has me so frustrated with the coaches looking for the next best thing.

Coaches don't coach anymore. Most are in it to stroke their ego's. We used to say that coaches and cops all have LDS. Tape measure anyone

 

[gobug]

Man this is getting out of control. The thread is who plays in your outfield not what is the harder position they are both their own beast. I think this back and forth is crazy you need good outfield and good infield.

Thank you! You have stated much more succinctly exactly what I have been trying to get across from the beginning of this debacle!

 

[ApogeeDemon]

I never claimed that RF or any OF position was the most difficult position on the field. You do enjoy trying to twist people's statements don't you? Unfortunately you stating it doesn't make it true and truthfully makes you sound rather desperate in trying to prove your point.

In that regard, the only thing I've ever stated is that IMO the skills set needed to excel as an outfielder are just as challenging, though very different as those needed to excel at an IF position and they take just as much hard work to become a standout in those positions.

I've also stated IMO that any coach who is coaching at a higher level, 14U and above who tries to hide an unqualified player in the OF is going to have that decision come back to haunt him or her.

You can tell yourself whatever you want. You say desperate? I posted a link to another person(s) that feels leftfield is the easiest. How is that desperate? Usually when people reside to using words like "desperate" they know they are beaten and therefor result to name calling. Just as you did. If you want to debate, back it up with quantitative OR qualitative evidence. So far, you have given neither.

 

[gobug]

You can tell yourself whatever you want. You say desperate? I posted a link to another person(s) that feels leftfield is the easiest. How is that desperate? Usually when people reside to using words like "desperate" they know they are beaten and therefor result to name calling. Just as you did. If you want to debate, back it up with quantitative OR qualitative evidence. So far, you have given neither.

You're right. You win. Have a lovely evening.

 

[Balldiddly]

To be clear, this was not intended as an outfield versus infield thread… As the parent of an outfielder, I just wanted to know how coaches fill those positions, and if it changes by age group. My DD loves it out there. She'll play anywhere there is grass for as long as someone will let her. Even takes defensive lessons. I just really noticed a different approach to outfielders from when she played rec a few years ago to travel ball presently. She loves travel, and I would say a lot has to do with the realization that she is just as important to the team as the girls beside her and in front of her… especially since it's what she loves.

 

[FastBat]

To be good, you need good everything! So if you are 11 deep with studs, you're winning Nationals!

 

[mike_dyer]

I think it may be time to go back to 2nd or 3rd grade and learn the difference between facts and opinions.

For example, I can say the moon is very big. That is an opinion. On the other hand, if I say the diameter of the moon is 3,474 km, the volume of the moon is 2.195 x 1010 km3, the surface area of the moon is 37.9 million square kilometers, and the mass of the moon is 7.347 x 1022 kg I would then be stating facts about the size of the moon. Anyone who reads those facts is free to form their own opinion about how big, small, or anything in between they think the moon is. See how that works?

 

[coachjwb]

Here are some of my "opinions" on the subject as well as some of the comments that have been made ...

* Most good athletes can play infield or outfield
* Every athlete has some skills they are better at than others
* A coach has many responsibilities including developing the skills of his/her players, and finding the best combinations of players to play the 9 defensive positions and to fill the batting order
* Ideal skills for an outfielder are speed, good depth perception, and a strong arm.
* Sometimes a coach has to find a defensive position for a 9th player and/or a good hitter whose defensive skills are weaker. Where they ultimately put this player depends a lot on the skills of the other players and coming up with the best combination for the team. The positions where this most frequently happens is in the corner outfield positions. A team is less likely to "get away with" this strategy at the higher the level of competition, and a team with strong defensive players in the corner outfield positions is going to be much better off, so good teams have to avoid having more than a player or two who are poor defensive players and/or who are unwilling to learn or unable to improve.