Who plays in your outfield?

[ThompsonUSSSA]

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?

I hope either (1) you looked those stats up OR (2) you work for NASA.

Point well taken! lol

 

[grandpaviper]

Let me preface my forthcoming opinion by saying, I don't know all the coaches in the travel ball system so please take what I am about to say as a very general observation. I have been involved with baseball in one form or another for most of my 62 years on this earth and what I have observed is that we coach pitching, we coach catching, we coach infield. What I seldom see is an intentional effort to coach the unique skills needed to play in the grass. From many years of experience I will tell you one of the hardest things to master in baseball/softball is judging a fly ball. Do I move up, back, left, right. Is there spin or wind. In a split second, I would think most especially in the small confines of a fastpitch softball field, all of these things must be considered. Apart from this, if we think about it, outfielders have something they can contribute on almost every play. Moving to back up a play on the infield, backing up throws, moving to assist another outfielder just to mention a few. I have blathered on to ask, how much time do we spend coaching the above mentioned skills ? And to state, my observation is we don't put near as much effort in developing outfielder as we do other positions.

 

[Wishuwereme]

Let me preface my forthcoming opinion by saying, I don't know all the coaches in the travel ball system so please take what I am about to say as a very general observation. I have been involved with baseball in one form or another for most of my 62 years on this earth and what I have observed is that we coach pitching, we coach catching, we coach infield. What I seldom see is an intentional effort to coach the unique skills needed to play in the grass. From many years of experience I will tell you one of the hardest things to master in baseball/softball is judging a fly ball. Do I move up, back, left, right. Is there spin or wind. In a split second, I would think most especially in the small confines of a fastpitch softball field, all of these things must be considered. Apart from this, if we think about it, outfielders have something they can contribute on almost every play. Moving to back up a play on the infield, backing up throws, moving to assist another outfielder just to mention a few. I have blathered on to ask, how much time do we spend coaching the above mentioned skills ? And to state, my observation is we don't put near as much effort in developing outfielder as we do other positions.

Bingo!!! Very we'll said.

 

[Longtoss1]

I also agree with many of the others on this thread that there is so much more to playing the outfield then "just go get the ball." There are many decisions that have to made, and made in a split second as said in a previous post. And if you are not athletic, especially in the older divisions, then there is no place to really "hide" someone out there. Especially if you don't want to give up a bunch of run scoring doubles and triples.

 

[Irish196]

Let me preface my forthcoming opinion by saying, I don't know all the coaches in the travel ball system so please take what I am about to say as a very general observation. I have been involved with baseball in one form or another for most of my 62 years on this earth and what I have observed is that we coach pitching, we coach catching, we coach infield. What I seldom see is an intentional effort to coach the unique skills needed to play in the grass. From many years of experience I will tell you one of the hardest things to master in baseball/softball is judging a fly ball. Do I move up, back, left, right. Is there spin or wind. In a split second, I would think most especially in the small confines of a fastpitch softball field, all of these things must be considered. Apart from this, if we think about it, outfielders have something they can contribute on almost every play. Moving to back up a play on the infield, backing up throws, moving to assist another outfielder just to mention a few. I have blathered on to ask, how much time do we spend coaching the above mentioned skills ? And to state, my observation is we don't put near as much effort in developing outfielder as we do other positions.

I couldn't agree more. My daughter played the outfield quite a lot this season (12U); the first time she has ever spent a lot of time out there. The time she did play in the outfield on her previous teams (local travel and CYO teams) the balls were never hit very hard, so she was not used to a fly ball that kept on going. Therefore, she always instinctually ran up on every fly ball. She learned pretty quickly this year that travel hitters can hit balls over your head. However, there were practices where she got maybe 10 fly balls- most of which were hit in front of her. There was no way she was going to learn on that much practice. I learned pretty quickly that I had better take her out to the field and hit her ball after ball so she could see how harder hit balls travel. She is a much better judge of fly balls (still not perfect) now but it took a lot of work on both of our parts. I wish I would have started with her on the outfield skills earlier so they were second nature to her by now.

 

[Balldiddly]

I in no way have the knowledge base necessary to coach our outfielder at home other than the basics (so glad the stars aligned to help us find someone who could ).... but I have always wondered why the outfield team seems to do more infield drills than anything. I don't think it's a bad thing that they work on how balls play off the dirt, or foot work, but I do think those same balls hitting the grass, might bounce a little different or require a different play off a bounce... Always searching to educate myself a little more.

Let me preface my forthcoming opinion by saying, I don't know all the coaches in the travel ball system so please take what I am about to say as a very general observation. I have been involved with baseball in one form or another for most of my 62 years on this earth and what I have observed is that we coach pitching, we coach catching, we coach infield. What I seldom see is an intentional effort to coach the unique skills needed to play in the grass. From many years of experience I will tell you one of the hardest things to master in baseball/softball is judging a fly ball. Do I move up, back, left, right. Is there spin or wind. In a split second, I would think most especially in the small confines of a fastpitch softball field, all of these things must be considered. Apart from this, if we think about it, outfielders have something they can contribute on almost every play. Moving to back up a play on the infield, backing up throws, moving to assist another outfielder just to mention a few. I have blathered on to ask, how much time do we spend coaching the above mentioned skills ? And to state, my observation is we don't put near as much effort in developing outfielder as we do other positions.

 

[flygirlsdad]

Seems like in the older ages, other than pitcher and catcher, outfield seems to be the position many teams actively seek in tryout threads. Doom 18u Elite looking for one as well as Lasers Black 18u. I think that just about sums it up. A good outfielder with specific outfield skills is important on high level teams.

 

[Lester]

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

Many "wish" they could get the next best thing and at the same time have no idea how to grow, mentor, and lead them. A bad mix for a player looking for skills training and game understanding. That's the biggest problem. Big LIKE button for me on this post.

 

[Lester]

I in no way have the knowledge base necessary to coach our outfielder at home other than the basics (so glad the stars aligned to help us find someone who could ).... but I have always wondered why the outfield team seems to do more infield drills than anything. I don't think it's a bad thing that they work on how balls play off the dirt, or foot work, but I do think those same balls hitting the grass, might bounce a little different or require a different play off a bounce... Always searching to educate myself a little more.

we run 'progression' drills in the OF and IF... no one area is more important but hard to do because it's time consuming but crucial. They have to learn the "english" off of each surface. And, they have to identify the 100's of differences each type of field has within itself. Shoot, a ball field 'evolves' all day long. Train for all types of surfaces. Not sure how many consider this in their training. A detail that is huge in every circumstance/situation. I call it the "weather report". All girls on my teams know what this means... cool to see them become fieldologists.

 

[Westler33]

We kind of do the same thing with our girls. We tell the girls in OF practice what direction is the wind blowing is the grass long or short. Sam with IF practice is the ground wet and the ball staying down or hard and very live things that we are trying to get the young ones to see and notice on their own.

 

[shyne99]

I agree most CF's typically come up from SS. Balls that get thru the infield are base hits. Balls that get past your outfield are runs. The goal is to not let the other team score. Plain and simple. You need girls out there who can track the ball very well, speed and a gun for an arm.

 

[CARDS]

I am curious as to who typically plays in your outfield, understanding that some situations require a change in the normal plan? Are they girls that classify their primary position as an outfielder? Or are they players whose primary position in on the infield, but you can put them in the grass as a secondary position? Also curious, if the answers change related to the age of the players?

I am curious as to who typically plays in your outfield, understanding that some situations require a change in the normal plan? Depending on age under 12 I had a lot of my players explore the OF positions and would spend considerable amount of time working on building the fundamentals of outfield play. most of the parents when filling out the tryout forms back then would just put open or be vague on posistion desired. but if I seen a player would be a good OF fit I would discuss it with the parents.As the ladies reach 13 and above they pretty much know where their strengths are and if the aspirations are to play at the highest level and best events possible parents and players understand the need to work as hard as any pitcher, catcher or infielder to be a top line OF. Learning to get behind fly balls, get good jumps on batted balls, improve arm strength and accuracy, flex or adjust to batters, situations and gaining the pre hit knowledge on what they are going to do with the ball before they have the opportunity to make a play are all areas I have seen players struggle with at various camps, tournaments or HS ball. Lots of good or adequate OF players but few Great OF players.

Are they girls that classify their primary position as an outfielder? (At the older ages above 12 and looking to get in with a top program they sure do) Or, are they players whose primary position in on the infield, but you can put them in the grass as a secondary position? At the younger ages the ladies should explore both infield and outfield play. As they develop their fit will become more apparent. At the older ages, if a coach accepts a player for a IF spot and puts them in the OF that can/will cause issues unless the coach can communicate real good and sell the player/parents on the move. If this happens a lot the coach may need help evaluating talent or recruiting in general.

Also curious, if the answers change related to the age of the players? As stated above?Yes, Age and level of competition does make a difference on the type of OF player teams could be looking for. Also, it depends if teams coach is a "manager of talent" or are they able to build or improve player skill. (Lockdown centerfielders are rare and, RF has its unique challenges as well so, the coach needs to understand the difference in the OF posistions to fill te team needs).

 

[Sweetpea]

It's really not about infield/outfield in softball or baseball. It's about location on the field. If you look at scholarship dollars in baseball or softball, draft position in professional baseball or if you ask any good collegiate coach they will tell you that positions matter in this order. Pitcher is #1 for obvious reasons. Catcher is #2 then the middle of the field. Shortstop then centerfield. If you aren't strong on the mound, behind the plate and up the middle then you can't win. Every other position is important but less important defensively and more likely to be filled by hitters. Second base is a bit of a wild card because you need them to be strong defensively so they will typically be former shortstops that don't have big arms (At the higher levels and older ages of baseball or softball). Your left fielder is usually the weakest arm in the outfield but should be able to run. Your strongest outfield arm is usually in right field because the throw to third is important and it's the longest throw on the field. Speed is not as important in RF for baseball but it is important now in softball because an explosive right fielder can throw several kids per year out at first base. Your big power hitters are usually at the corners because they need quick hands and feet, which most great hitters have, but don't need huge arms or great speed. The argument that coaches are hiding kids in the outfield is NONSENSE at any level of baseball or softball above 10U.

 

[ApogeeDemon]

It's really not about infield/outfield in softball or baseball. It's about location on the field. If you look at scholarship dollars in baseball or softball, draft position in professional baseball or if you ask any good collegiate coach they will tell you that positions matter in this order. Pitcher is #1 for obvious reasons. Catcher is #2 then the middle of the field. Shortstop then centerfield. If you aren't strong on the mound, behind the plate and up the middle then you can't win. Every other position is important but less important defensively and more likely to be filled by hitters. Second base is a bit of a wild card because you need them to be strong defensively so they will typically be former shortstops that don't have big arms (At the higher levels and older ages of baseball or softball). Your left fielder is usually the weakest arm in the outfield but should be able to run. Your strongest outfield arm is usually in right field because the throw to third is important and it's the longest throw on the field. Speed is not as important in RF for baseball but it is important now in softball because an explosive right fielder can throw several kids per year out at first base. Your big power hitters are usually at the corners because they need quick hands and feet, which most great hitters have, but don't need huge arms or great speed. The argument that coaches are hiding kids in the outfield is NONSENSE at any level of baseball or softball above 10U.

Part of the discussion is that if did have to hide a player, rightfield or leftfield is the spot to stick her. You are using a DP already and have a really good bat you need in the lineup. Where would you stick her if she wasn't any good at defense? Not the infield! 70% of the balls get hit there. Coaches do hide good bats in the outfield. Its just part of the game.

 

[Balldiddly]

Part of the discussion is that if did have to hide a player, rightfield or leftfield is the spot to stick her. You are using a DP already and have a really good bat you need in the lineup. Where would you stick her if she wasn't any good at defense? Not the infield! 70% of the balls get hit there. Coaches do hide good bats in the outfield. Its just part of the game.

Actually, the initial question had nothing to do with hiding players…

 

[ApogeeDemon]

Actually, the initial question had nothing to do with hiding players…

hence the word "part"

 

[Balldiddly]

Would that be the "part" of the discussion where you brought up hiding players? Completely entitled to your opinion, simply stating that my original post wasn't about that.

 

[ApogeeDemon]

others shifted the discussion to who should be in the outfield. I commented. Be happy, I made your thread interesting.

 

[CARDS]

At the lower levels and ages you can hide players to a certain extent. As the ladies progress in age and make it to upper level teams and or events if they are on the field they better be able to play.
The stronger teams do not have automatic outs in the line-up, the majority of the ladies can directional/situational hit and a weak spot will be found and exploited. The best of the best generally have three in their OF that could play CF for any team.
The quality of pitching also impacts a coaches ability to try to hide a player.

 

[ApogeeDemon]

At the lower levels and ages you can hide players to a certain extent. As the ladies progress in age and make it to upper level teams and or events if they are on the field they better be able to play.
The stronger teams do not have automatic outs in the line-up, the majority of the ladies can directional/situational hit and a weak spot will be found and exploited. The best of the best generally have three in their OF that could play CF for any team.
The quality of pitching also impacts a coaches ability to try to hide a player.

I agree with you to an extent. Higher level girls do situational hit, like sac flys, hit to the right side etc. But I don't see a coach telling the players to purposely hit it to leftfield because she stinks. Especially if the pitcher generally throws outside. You wouldn't want your players reaching/casting to TRY and pull it to left. At high levels, sure, most outfielders can do a relatively decent job in the outfield but if you have a giant stick and are already using a dp, stick her in left.