Playing outfield requires more than just being able to catch a fly ball. You have to cover a lot of ground and be able to make the catch at the same time. Situationally, you also have to ensure you have the right angles to cut off base hits and prevent the runner from advancing or scoring. There are so many nuances to playing outfield that you have to diversify your skill set to make the best play. In part 1 of this series, you will discover three important skill sets, accompanied by drills to help improve your outfield play.
Tracking Fly Balls
Seems simple enough from the onset but there are important things to consider when learning how to track a fly ball. Depth perception plays a key role in helping you track fly balls. Whether it’s a pop up or a towering fly ball, being able to track the ball and position yourself will help you make the play.
Drill 1 – Use a machine to “hit” the fly ball. As in any course of the game, the trajectory of the ball will change from batter to batter. Using a machine to initiate fly balls will help you see the ball from multiple angles, speeds and heights to get used to what you will see in game time action. This drill is also important because you can use it in multiple conditions and elements such as wind, rain, domed environment, and full-sun environments. You never what conditions the field will be in so being prepared for all of it will help you grow. It’s a simple enough drill, but even pros are prone to dropping the occasional fly ball.
Drill 2 – Over-the-shoulder catch drill. This isn’t just for football players. Sometimes the ball can come at you faster than you judged it so tracking the ball and its speed is essential. Facing away from the coach or player, have them hit the ball over your shoulder far enough away that you have to turn to track the ball. You then must turn to the ball, locate it, then make the catch – sometimes while still in running motion. In part 2, we will discuss catching the ball in motion as a drill set on its own.
Making a Good Throw In
After a base hit, throwing the ball in is an important piece of the puzzle. The question is are you trying to throw a runner out or are you just trying to throw the ball in and live to play another play. In either case, a good throw is important. An accurate throw can be the difference between an extra base (and possibly a run) or keeping the runner at bay.
Drill 1 – Paint your target or get a partner. Outfielders are taught, and rightfully so, to hit their relay target. If you are practicing alone, paint a target on an object that represents your relay partner. Simulate fielding a ground ball in the outfield (or have a player or coach hit one to you) and, with your pointer toe pointed to the target, make an accurate throw. If you have a partner, simulate a game-time experience with one player standing at the outer edge of the infield while you throw to your partner. Focus on clean transfers on the throws and always try to hit the player at the chest level. This will help with your accuracy and speed getting the ball in.
Drill 2 – Play the long game. Outfielders, especially center fielders, have to throw it a long way. Practice making long tosses as accurately as possible. Using a crow hop or simple point and throw to get as much distance as you can. As with Drill 1 above, painting a target and moving it farther away will help you strengthen your arms while working on your accuracy.
Don’t Let the Ball Get Past You
Every outfielder will contend with sharply hit balls that either hit the gap or hug the foul line on its way to the outfield. Fielding the ball cleanly is vital to prevent the runner from getting extra bases. Being able to position yourself and turning your glove the right way while making the play can prevent runs or unwanted errors.
Drill 1 – Judge the speed of the ball. Much like tracking fly balls, the outfielder has to track the ball on the ground and it can come in a variety of speeds and angles. Depth perception comes into play on ground balls as much as it does for fly balls. Much like Drill 1 for Tracking Fly Balls, you can use a machine or have a coach hit the ball in a variety of angles and speeds in the gap or close to the foul line forcing you to run and gauge the speed the ball is going. This is an especially important drill because field conditions can either slow down or accelerate the speed of the ball.
Drill 2 – Keep your glove out and pointed to the ball. In situations where the ball is hit in the gap or anywhere you have to run to make the play, keep your glove arm positioned to the ball as you make your approach. As an extension to Drill 1 above, keep your glove out and open as you approach the ball. This gives you the best defensive position to either knock down the ball or field it cleanly. Practice running with your glove arm in stretched out position as your coach or player hits balls in gap areas forcing you to run. In Part 2, we will discover three more skill sets along with drills that will help with playing the outfield position including catching the ball in motion, mastering the crow hop or shuffle hop, and field communication.
