As a player, I always wanted to hit. I wanted to swing the bat until my hands were sore or bleeding – or both. It’s the part of the game that’s most fun. So why do coaches stress and work on defense so much? Because defense wins ballgames.
Below is an excerpt from chapter two of my new book, How To Play Baseball Outfield: Techniques, Tips, and Drill to Learn the Outfield Position. To be a good outfielder, you need balance, and balance comes from the ground up. Read on and enjoy!
“The main focus of outfield play is to cleanly field the ball and efficiently get it back to the infield. It’s not any more complicated than that. But accomplishing it at a high level takes flawless technique and a lot of concentrated effort.
So outfield play includes not only fielding the ball well, it involves throwing the baseball well. And throwing the ball accurately, with something on it, should flow easily after fielding the ball. If the player does not have good fielding technique, their throwing will suffer as well. A good arm does not make up for fielding problems.
From the Ground Up
Footwork by the outfielder is the most important part of fielding. This is because where the feet are is where the body will be. And throwing a baseball accurately and with force takes balance. Balance is only achieved through good footwork.
Footwork is important because it gives the outfielder the best chance to not only field the ball cleanly, but it also sets up the ensuing throw. Good footwork gets the outfielder in the best position to field the ball. And good footwork helps to stop the ball and keep it in front of them. Nothing hurts a ballclub more than a batted ball getting by the outfielder. Except maybe walks, but that’s another book.
Proper positioning of the outfielder’s hands is also important. The reasons are as important as footwork. Positioning of the glove will make the odds much better that the outfielder catches the ball. Further, good glove position greatly increases the chances that the outfielder will throw the baseball quickly and accurately.
From Youth to Big League
We have all seen youth baseball or softball games where the outfielder has a ball hit at them and it gets by them. Some turn their bodies sideways to avoid getting hit. Some do not bend their knees and the ball goes between their legs; this is called “through the wickets” (remember Croquet?).
Being afraid of the ball in youth baseball is common. Most youth players have never been taught the basics of fielding, so they leave it to their own methods, which usually result in errors. But is also results in being afraid. Proper technique will eliminate fear and give the player confidence.
I have also seen major league players with bad fielding technique. Many people assume that these players have learned the proper techniques, they merely choose to not use them on “routine” fielding attempts. Wrong.
Big League outfielders were once youth league players, and probably the best athlete on their teams. Good athletes can “make up” for deficiencies in their technique by having superior reflexes and coordination. So they never learn the correct way to play the outfield. And it comes back to haunt them, and hurt their team.”
Chapter two goes on to cover the basics of fielding ground balls in detail. If you are interested, check out my publishing website where you can order a copy of How To Play Baseball Outfield at www.stevenemichael.com. Thanks for reading.
