Why no outfielders?

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Why is it that there are never posts for rightfielders, leftfielders or even centerfielders looking for a team. Is it still the "ugly position" as when i was a kid. How do Universities pick up outfielders? If a "sub-par" infielder turns into an outfielder, wouldnt that make them a "sub-par" outfielder? As my kid is playing up a couple age groups this fall, i'm seeing alot more balls being hit in the outfield and cant figure out why at 10 and 12u outfield is a dirty word but somehow at 16 and 18u its semi acceptable (i said semi acceptable).

 

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It's not really so much an "ugly position". More so it"s "ugly players" in those positions. You might be able to get away with having weak players in the OF at 10U, but at the sharp end of 12U it will become a liability in a hurry, and by 14U if you don't have decent athletes with a good skill set out there, you certainly won't go far.

Versatility is the name of the game if you intend to play at the higher levels in this game. If you pigeon hole yourself, you limit your options as far as college ball goes.

 

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It's not really so much an "ugly position". More so it"s "ugly players" in those positions. You might be able to get away with having weak players in the OF at 10U, but at the sharp end of 12U it will become a liability in a hurry, and by 14U if you don't have decent athletes with a good skill set out there, you certainly won't go far.

Versatility is the name of the game if you intend to play at the higher levels in this game. If you pigeon hole yourself, you limit your options as far as college ball goes.

I hear you and agree with you but, how do you get a great, highly skilled outfielder when no one even wants to play there until it's their last resort?

 

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Generally speaking if you advertise for middle infielders and middle outfielders those that don't win that position will go to the other corners. Additionally if you have a good hitter that you need in the lineup and they need to play the position you have to put them somewhere so Right or Left field is where they go.

Our right fielder makes several put outs at first each season so depending on who you have pitching they could have a large impact on the outcome of the game.

 

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I hear you and agree with you but, how do you get a great, highly skilled outfielder when no one even wants to play there until it's their last resort?

Maybe no one "wants" to play out there, but someone "has" to play out there. With the versatility aspect previously mentioned, maybe by rotating players through the outfield they will see the side of those positions that make them important, and actually come to enjoy it.

Of course that mostly comes at the higher levels at the younger ages, and at the older age groups, when balls actually are hit out there. Many times those plays can be the difference in ball games. There isn't a position on the field that is not important.

 

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Our right fielder makes several put outs at first each season so depending on who you have pitching they could have a large impact on the outcome of the game.

Exactly. A right fielder can have several of these opportunities over a season. Right field can actually have some of the tougher fly ball plays as well, due to the slice of the ball coming off from a righty batter.

Good outfielders also have responsibilities backing up plays, and these can also impact a game. How many times have you seen pick off throws, or catcher's throws on a steal where the oufielder never moves a muscle? That kind of stuff can be huge.

 

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We have a few girls who tried out as outfielders and are mainly outfield players. They seem pretty darn proud to be out there and have no problem telling you that theirs is the best position on the field. I think the outfield stigma is mostly an issue with the younger ages. Outfielders are usually snatched up as quick as the pitchers at tryouts, that is why you hardly ever see them have to post.

 

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Agreed. You need a smart and steady player there.

 

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Ask a pitcher which players she values most on her team... If she doesn't quickly answer "MY OUTFIELDERS!!!", she's probably not playing at a very high level. Great outfielders are golden to a pitcher!!

The mindset of the outfield being a "less desirable" position comes from clover pickers in rec. league. However, the outfielders are usually some of the best athletes on a college team.

 

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I think the outfield stigma is mostly an issue with the younger ages.

Yes..I agree. At 10U, sometimes you're hiding the players who aren't as advanced and don't have a good overall grasp of the game. Sometimes putting them out there for their own safety. If they use that time wisely, instead of sulking at their misfortune, the entire game is played out in front of them, which gives them a unique opportunity to learn the game.

At 12U, you're starting to get more action out there, and more kids are willing to play there. You may still have to try to "hide" one player that doesn't yet have a good grasp of the game, but they're starting to see the value in having competent outfielders.

At 14U and up, it becomes crucial to have speedy and knowledgeable players as your last line of defense and so the "stigma" of being an outfielder is not as it was to both players and parents as it was at the younger age groups.

I had a college player helping me out at tryouts last year who was playing centerfield on scholarship. I teased her a little bit about shying away from balls that were short-hopping in the dirt as they were coming into home. She told me flat-out...."I'm an outfielder. I'm not used to that, so I don't handle it well. " I've also started hearing this from some of the younger girls, so it goes both ways. Some don't want to play the infield, while some still don't want to play the outfield.

Even weirder yet. I've had pitchers who will field the snot out of the ball when they're pitching. But when they're not pitching, don't want anything to do with playing in the infield.

 

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My 12u dd is primarily a pitcher. Her secondary position used to be 3rd base. If you told her to go to the outfield, she kind of slouched and reluctantly headed out there. She was still of the mindset that the players that **** play the outfield. This past summer, she played a fair amount of left field, and was taught to play the outfield properly. Now, if you ask her where she plays when she's not pitching, the answer is "anywhere in the grass!" She LOVES it out there. And I must say, she's pretty dang good. Thankfully, she has finally learned that games can be won and lost in the grass. When an infielder misses a ball, it might equal one extra base. When an outfielder misses one, it could be 2-3 bases...depending.

Moral of the story...folks, place just as much emphasis on playing the outfield as you do playing the infield. Your kids and their teams will be much better for it.

 

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I believe the stigma comes from parents believing their lil wonder is the next Ozzie Smith of softball. They don't realize how much an issue they are creating by being so animate their child play infield. I think it's funny that Dads believe their son can pitch even when he can't, yet parents of daughters are fine with their child not playing in the circle. lol. Nothing but an observation over time.

I've preached to girls for years to hone their outfield skills for the very reason mentioned in many of the responses. They are way too important to ignore.

Klump hit it out of the park as I will keep a quality outfielder I see during a tryout if I see one. If their skills are only average, they better be able to hit well. Hitting will be a determining factor in any evaluations.

The reason you don't see ads for outfielders is simply because there is not a shortage of girls to play the field but solid pitchers and catchers are rare when you consider the big picture.

 

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My DD was always, always, always infield 10U-12U...this past year, her first at 14U, she was moved to the outfield because of her speed and ability to track the ball...and she loves it! I agree with many of the above posts, 10U-12U, the outfield is typically where many teams "hide" some of their players, as not many balls get out there compared to the infield...however, starting at least at 14U, a team must have quick, smart, aggressive players in the outfield who not only can track and catch, but know where they need to back up, whether infield or outfield. If your outfielders are not moving every play, they are not playing the position correctly. In the age of bigger hitters with hotter bats, outfielders can make or break a game.

 

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I'm not sure I agree that there is no shortage of good outfielders. At the 14u level and up, the difference between a good team and a great one is determined by the outfield. Teams with truly great outfielders tend to be very successful. And there seems to be very few teams with 3 great outfielders. I've seen a couple, but not many.

 

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There is a dearth of high quality outfielders, certainly at the older age groups.

At tryouts I see a bunch of second tier infielders half attempting to play an outfield corner. They can't read the batted ball, they turn wrong, they don't set up to throw, they don't anticipate the pitch or adjust for the hitter. Then you see a kid that does all of that and more, it is a beautiful and rare thing. Playing right field and left is as different as playing center with specialized skills needed for each outfield position.

We have a bunch of infield corners but not a true center-fielder and it will show this coming summer. We are looking for that impact player in the outfield. The college coaches are also looking for that very same outfielder. The ball will find your holes and a .350 batting average will not balance the scales.

 

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With the 43' pitching distance, teams better have outfielders that can read the ball, drop back properly, dive when needed, communicate and have good arms to make the plays at first base even from Center to first. Moving on every pitch for back ups and coverages are critical needs for those positions. If they are thinking it's just a warm body position, they are grossly mistaken...

 

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The stigma with outfielders is basically parental. They feel that if their child (male or female) is placed in the outfield at a young age, that they are not one of the elite players on the team. This may be true at the younger levels where natural abilities are widely ranged and a good many of the coaches are parent volunteers with limited experience. But the main reason some or most of these children are delegated to the outfield is for their protection. Not all young children are fearless and able to protect themselves from a batted ball and it is much easier to acclimate them slowly to the game from a position furtherest from home plate.

That being said, the parents need to understand that their daughters (and sons) in the outfield are as equally important as the four postion players in the infield. Remember the outfielders are there not only to field their own position but also to rescue their infield teammates when they can not field theirs. When the shortstop turns around she sees at least two players that have her back, when an outfielder turns around all she sees is a FENCE!

 

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Parents are a main reason why DD's don't want to play the outfield. I have seen teams win becasue of their outfield and have seen them loose for the same reason. Parent need to understand that if a ball gets past an infielder its a single, past an outfielder its the game! I have had several parents tell me their DD's are not outfielder and are upset when they are placed there. If a player says she wants to play outfield during a tryout and shows they know the position, they are almost guaranteed place on the team. Look at the college level and most of the scholarships are up the middle, pitcher, catcher, and center!

 

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I'm not sure I agree that there is no shortage of good outfielders. At the 14u level and up, the difference between a good team and a great one is determined by the outfield. Teams with truly great outfielders tend to be very successful. And there seems to be very few teams with 3 great outfielders. I've seen a couple, but not many.

I couldn't agree more! Our outfielders were a HUGE part of a tournament win for our team this weekend!!

 

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Thank you daboss,99starz and semper for being honest. Truth is (imo), kids are bummed when they get beat out of their infield spot, but parents are DESTROYED by the fact that their little princess might be put in the outfield because they are a "5 tool player" lol. Best advice any parent of an 8 or 9 year old athletic kid who loves softball can receive is, find the best hitting instructor out there and find someone to teach them the correct way to play outfield. By the time they get to high school they should be able to write their own ticket.