Which bases do i throw it to when playing the outfield?

Question

I play baseball, and my postion is left feilder. a lot of the time i get confused about which base i need to throw it to in certain scenarios.for example when theres only a runner on second do i thow it to first or third? Or same thing when there is a runner on third only, do i throw it to first or home? Thanks and i appreciate you for reading this and helping me out if you can.

Answer 1

It depends on the situation i.e. the inning, the score, speed of the runners, where the ball is hit (short left, down the line, left center, etc), how hard the ball is hit, how many outs, etc... there are a lot of variables that you need to consider.

There's really no reason for a left fielder to ever throw to first (unless you catch a short pop up behind 2nd base and you're trying to double a runner off of first base).

If there's a runner on 2nd, and there's a base hit to you in left field, your two choices are:

1) try to throw out the runner at home (if you think you have a shot at it). You should be very sure that you have an excellent chance of nailing the runner at the plate...because the batter will be able to advance to 2nd on the throw home If you do try to nail the runner at home, your throw should be such that it can be cut off by the third baseman or pitcher (the catcher would instruct them to cut off the throw if it looks like the runner will score even on a good throw) in order to hold the batter/runner at first base.

It takes experience to know whether you can throw a runner out at home...you need to know your own arm strength and accuracy, as well as the speed of the runner and the abilities of your catcher on such plays.


2) throw to a cutoff man near 2nd base to hold the batter to a single. You should probably do this if your team has a big lead, in order to keep the batter/runner on first, and hopefully stop a big inning and keep a double play in order.

This, of course, assumes that the ball is basically hit right to you in left field, and you field the ball cleanly. If the ball was hit down the line in this situation and the batter will probably reach second with no trouble, then throw to the third baseman in order to get the ball back to the infield asap.



If there's a runner on third, chances are you probably won't throw him out at the plate on a base hit, unless he slips while breaking for home. And if it's a bloop hit out your way, the runner will probably hold up anyway (with less than two out), to see if you will catch the ball or not.

But the same rule applies...if you think you can nail the runner at home, then go for it, but make your throw so as to allow it to be cut off by the 3rd baseman or pitcher, which will allow your team to hold the batter/runner at first base.


Talk to your coach about various situations, and what you should do... that's really beyond the scope of this answer...there aren't enough words allowed in an answer here to cover every possible situation.

Have fun, and don't get discouraged! We all have to learn somewhere, and if you have a good friend or coach that can explain these things, by all means talk to them about it.

If you're in a good book store, you might want to check out Tim McCarver's "Baseball for Brain Surgeons and other Fans", or Jerry Remy's "Watching Baseball" (I think that's the title)...these books talk a lot about how to play baseball and how to make the right plays in different situations.

Also, I haven't personally checked out books like "Baseball for Dummies" (the yellow book) or "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Baseball" (the orange book), but check them out as well. I'm sure they have a lot of useful info about how to actually play the game.

Good luck to you!

Answer 2

For the first scenario, you would throw it to first. This way, you can get the runner coming to first out. If you throw it to third, the second base runner doesn't have to go. He could stay put unless there is already a guy on first. So, if this scenario happend, and you threw it to third, then it is like you're giving the batter a free base.

In the second scenario, if the runner starts to go, and you believe that you CAN get him out, then go for home. This is an incredibly tough play for you and the catcher. If not, then use the classic way of throwing to first to try and get the runner coming to first out.

(Note: These answers are for scenarios of if the ball already hits the ground, and then you get the ball. Not for when you catch it.)

Answer 3

Usually in instructional ball this is a safety factor. A hard hit ball in the infield can injure a player that does not have the ability to catch it and increasing the chance of severe injury. In the outfield the ball will lose velocity and/or has less of a chance to strike a defenseless player. I have used the catcher position to adapt the more ambitious player to protecting themselves from the ball with the advantage of having protective gear on. I am not saying their aren't other reasons, but this is the case in the early years of instructional baseball.

Answer 4

As a left-fielder you should never throw to first.
80% of the time you will throw to 2nd base,so practice that.As was said earlier you should always look for the cut-off man which should be the shortstop most of the time,listen to the catcher he should be screaming what base to throw too

Answer 5

okay well if u see u have a chance to throw some one out and there still running to second base then throw it to the second baseman or ss..but if u culd get a guy running to 3rd base then throw it to the third baseman ....or there is also if it drops in front of u and theres no play then throw it to the ss or 2nd baseman ..if he is running home make sure you try to throw it like if u wanting to throw it to the 3rd baseman but mostly trying to get the ball to the catcher and nail the guy ...if u have a good throwing arm ..like MELKY he is good GO YANKEES!!!(and if ur not a yankee fan then ignore that part)

Answer 6

Throw it to the baseman closest to the base that the person running is nearest. Then, hopefullly, the baseman will catch the ball, out. If the runner starts running back to the previous base, then run to the base they are runnning to or punt them. =D Go Yankees!!! =P

Answer 7

Never throw 7-3 as a standard option, and always hit the cutoff man.

Answer 8

Always throw it to the bag in front of the runner.

Answer 9

it depends on where you are
If the runner is going home and you are in the middle of left field you through it to the first baseman otherwise you through to the cutoff man (there should be) if there isn't a cutoff man through it to second or if your arm can reach third if they are going to third try to get it to third
if you are still confused ask a coach or teammate never can go wrong with that

Answer 10

for the 1st scenario, u throw it to the cut-off man who's cutting off home..when there's a runner on 3rd, there's no way to get him out on a hit soo u throw it to 2nd..i'm a center fielder//Left fielder