Who plays in your outfield?

[coachjwb]

I think we need to distinguish between coaches trying to hide players in the outfield and being able to successfully do it on higher level teams. I too have seen it tried in upper level travel ball and college ... sometimes the coaches get away with it, and sometimes it burns them. As much as I often disagree with Apogee, they are absolutely right that coaches at all levels try to do it ... sometimes, they just don't have the players who can play all 9 defensive positions and have to find a home for someone in the batting order.

 

[frenchy101010]

In two years of softball my DD has played 3B, and SS, pretty good arm for a 7,8, and 9yo so thats where she has played. Now we are on a better team and I have been hitting fly balls to her in the outfield, she has been struggling because she hasn't really done it before. It's a work in progress but we think it will only make her a better overall player. Kinda funny a little watching her trying to track the fly ball.

 

[FastBat]

/\/\/\/\ It's a skill she can always use! Good luck!

 

[Bink44]

Every player that is offered to play for our Lasers Green team will practice and play in our outfield at different times during the season. I make that very clear before the player/parents accept their offer. It is my responsibility as their coach to develop the skills at practice and it is the player/parents responsibility to work hard at home to improve these skills. If they don't take the outfield serious, there are two options, you can DP when your not pitching, catching or on the infield or you can come off the bench as a pinch hitter. In both of these cases a hot bat will keep you in the lineup, but not necessarily on the field.

I am a firm believer that my girls should be very flexible, and able to not only play multiple positions, but to shine at multiple positions! This has been the culture of our team since 10U and we have taken our lumps in certain games over the years developing this in games. Now entering our 13U year we are by far the most flexible defensive team that I've ever coached. This is coming from a coach who had one daughter who played Catcher thru 16U and one play SS thru 12U and both were recruited and played D-1 as primarily Outfielders. My current girls must be flexible, so they will have more opportunities at the next level!

With this being said, our Lasers Green team loses one very talented player every year because the parents/player doesn't buy into the Outfield. You know the old saying "you can't sale what someone doesn't want to buy"...lol

 

[CARDS]

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.

I agree, no matter the event there are teams that will have a weak defensive player in left or at first base however; as teams progress through tournaments these teams are less and less so, my comment was more about the need for quality outfield play especially when facing the top 20% of teams in any area or event. At 16/18U, I did not have to tell my players when to hit or where to hit. I would say most of the programs we faced worked the same.

At16/18U and currently at 18O my players understood/understand what a productive out was, how to move runners, and to see what the D was giving them. We also use reverse signs that works with getting the ladies focused on what needs to happen. After the on deck batter has had time to survey the situation prior to coming to the plate they would signal what they intended to do. I would signal back a change or ok.
Over the years we faced teams where 1-9 could spray the ball and hit to all fields. My team was not as deep in doing this but, I did have 5 that could pretty much hit a pitch in for a safety to all areas of the field regardless of location. You will find your "very proficient" slappers (and this is a small number over the years I only had 4) are able to dink, dunk and drive the left side all day no matter where the ball is pitched and given the opportunity from the D turn on one and drive it through the right side so if your weak spot is LF/RF they will be challenged. I also was blessed to have two others that could flat out crush the ball and swung the bat just as effectively no matter what side of the plate they chose to swing from, if it was a strike inside/outside they could drive it there are teams out there that have 9 that can do this. A few years back we faced two teams that stood out, Illinois FORCE and Texas Impact Gold. These teams had the best line ups we have ever faced. No cheep outs, ladies could hit bullets anywhere no matter where it was pitched and they played very good D as well so, when playing them a weak outfielder could end the game quick.

 

[CanonD7]

The politically correct answer is to say that every position is important but we all know you stick the weakest in left or right field. You probably have them there because they can hit but aren't the best fielders.

Hhmmmmm......I wonder if Jessica Mendoza realizes she was being hidden in left field all those years.

 

[ApogeeDemon]

Hhmmmmm......I wonder if Jessica Mendoza realizes she was being hidden in left field all those years.

She is average in the outfield but she sucks at singing!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEk238FiZAM