Outfielding.....?

Question

I have always been a big baseball fan. But since I didn't make the high school team(i am just a freshman), i was thinknig about trying to convert to being a utility man. I am a natural infielder, but its the outfield position i am having trouble with. I used to start for the travel league 2 years ago, but ever since then, and sometimes even when I was playing on that team, i can never seem to be able to judge fly balls. Sometimes I see the ball going one way, but in reality it goes another. I don't seem to be able to have that natural feeling I have when I play infield, and I am starting to doubt my playing skills. Any way to help judge fly balls or just help get a more natural feel for the outfield?

-mrZ

Answer 1

A few small tips:

1. The ball will almost always carry farther than you first think. The only exceptions are a topspin line drive or if the wind is blowing in.

2. Try to get an angle on the ball. The hardest to judge are those coming straight at you.

3. It is easier to come in than to go back for a ball, so cheat back a little.

4. When going back for a ball, learn to catch them over the shoulder like a wide receiver. You won't always do that if you get back in time, but it is a good way to recover if you have misjudged a ball. That is a skill you should already have from playing infield.

5. Watch where the pitch is. An outside pitch will have a tendency to be hit to the opposite field and will tend to slice. An inside pitch will be pulled more often and will tend to hook. A high pitch will have more backspin and will "float" more. A low pitch will usually not carry as far in the air because it will have less backspin.

A ball hit with topspin will sink quickly and it is rare that you will have the chance to catch one of these in the outfield.

These are tendencies and not hard and fast rules.

6. No matter where the pitch is, a ball that is pulled will tend to hook and a ball hit to the opposite field will slice, usually. You can think of this in another way: a ball hit to left will tend to drift farther left (towards the fielder's right) and a ball hit to right will tend to drift farther right (towards the fielder's left). This is because of the rotation of the ball imparted by the contact with the bat.

7. Practice. If you have a friend who wants to practice, hit fungos for each other. Besides just catching them, also practice by standing in your normal outfield position and pointing to where you think the ball will land. That allows you to practice judging the ball without the distraction of executing the catch at the same time.

After taking a bucket of balls that way, then go back to catching them. Many players see an immediate improvement from that drill.

If any of this helps, I am happy for you. If it does not, then you'll have to try something else.

Answer 2

Here's a few tips for judging fly balls.

First and foremost, your first step is always back. This is the biggest problem with young outfielders. They see a ball hit hard and low and charge in to try to make a great play. Then, two or three steps in you realize oh sh*t its over my head, and you're out of luck.

Also, I agree with whoever said to get your eyes checked out. That can make a big difference.

After a while, when you get the feel of the position, you'll be able to judge them fairly well, but remember that even professionals mess up and don't get discouraged.

Answer 3

Judging a fly ball is all FEEL. Practice Practice Practice. Also, stay focused and do not take pitches off when you are out there. In high school ball trust your ears. The metal bats seem to give you a better feel as to where the ball is going. One last thing. It is easier to come in for a ball then to go back for one. So play a little deeper until you get more comfortable out there.

Answer 4

Practice. I have the same problem, I am a Catcher/First Baseman, but as a switch hitter I end up in the Outfield on occasion. Its far more difficult to judge them out there because of the distance.

The way I solved it was to simply take as many fly balls as possible, rather it be in a field or on the diamond. Make sure they are hit to you, rather than thrown, because thrown balls tend to look the same. Just keep practicing, the more you see, the better routes you will take, the more you will get to. Just give it time.

Answer 5

The above strategies are the best thank you to get greater useful at being an outfielder. As a school outfielder who moved from SS the biggest element that I even have got here across that helped me became into to conquer the ball to the spot, dont choose the flow to the ball, it particularly is the place a super kind of the errors take place. Beating the ball to the spot helps you place your ft up in time to make a play on the ball. yet another good tip that many coaches attempt to instill is that if whilst the ball is hit, if its over the bill of your cap its in the back of you, in front of the the bill of your cap, its short. yet constantly undergo in techniques as an outfielder your first step would desire to constantly be back this is alot much less stressful to come returned in on a ball then bypass back on a ball!!.....wish this permits!!

Answer 6

First get a friend to hit fly balls to you for a while. If that does not work then go to the eye doctor and you might have a focusing problem.

Answer 7

all you can really do is practice, take fly balls and try hard, sorry you can do

Answer 8

OK all you got to remember is "First step back then step forward" that all ways works.