Fielding

A team that has players who can throw and catch fly balls and grounders better than its opponents, and can come up with the clutch fielding play, is going to be hard to beat. The team that has the most agile fielders — those players who have fast reflexes and can change direction in a split second — will also have the better fielders. Thus, if the pitching and batting of the two opposing teams are of equal strength, the better fielding team will then be more formidable.

Good fielders, like good hitters or pitchers, do not require special physical qualifications. However, the player with the sharper reflex action will usually develop into a better fielder in a shorter space of time than a player of normal reflexes. This does not mean that the player of average reflex action cannot become a quality fielder. The player of normal reflex should not be discouraged because he sees other players who seem superior to him as fielders. Better reflex action can be obtained by constant practice and proper conditioning of the body. By leaping, twisting and lunging for grounders, fly balls and throws, the fielder of normal reflexes will soon sharpen his reflex action and will in time work himself into a better than acceptable fielder.

Fielding in reflex action means the player performs his movements without thinking about them. His movements become natural and graceful and he is able to twist his body in any direction. Ground balls take many unexpected bounces; fly balls get caught in wind currents and may take sudden drops or carry farther than the fielder anticipated. The good fielder can adjust himself to these sudden hops and changes of ball direction.

Choosing a Position. — In choosing a position a player should select one he thinks he can play best; then concentrate on learning all the techniques involved in playing that position. Do not pick a position because your favorite major-leaguer plays it. That's not mature reasoning and you will only hurt your chances of making the team if you can play better at another position. Try to analyze your strong and weak points and then try out for that position where you can fit in, and also, at the same time, convince the coach that you are the best candidate for that specific fielding spot. A player who is below average height and who can field any position equally well, should not try out at first base. It's common sense that if you can catch a grounder while stationed at second base, shortstop, third base, just as well as at first base, you should concentrate on trying out for any of the latter three positions. This is because you would not be able to use your limited height to any advantage if you tried out as a first baseman. A first baseman must stretch high for high throws and well into the diamond for low throws. The coach would be more inclined to use a fielder at that position who has more height and reach than a player of limited height. Infielders' Stance. — There is a basic fielding stance for all infielders.

This infielder has good stance: his body is in a squat position, bent at the waist, knees turned out. His arms and hands are between his knees, enabling him to touch the ground without any undue strain. From this position, he is able to field a ball that hugs the ground, and he is in proper position to straighten up and grab a ball that may take a sudden bounce upward.

Coaches have conflicting ideas on just how an infielder should position his body when fielding ground balls. Some coaches recommend that the infielder take the grounder on his throwing side since there is a saving of a split second in shifting the ball from the front of the body to the throwing arm. Others insist that the fielder get squarely in front of the grounder. The latter method is safer and also furnishes the infielder with an opportunity to recover in time and nail the batter, if he does fumble the ball. Playing a ball on the side can be dangerous. If the ball is missed, it rolls out into the field and there is no chance to recover and make the out.

The infielder's position before the ready position is basic. His legs are spread comfortably, feet parallel, or in the position he finds most relaxing. Some infielders station their right foot slightly to the rear of their left foot. Others swing their bodies halfway to the right, or to the left, depending upon the situation, the type of batter, the number of runners on base, etc.

Hips and knees are slightly bent, hands placed on the knees, although this depends upon personal comfort. Some infielders like to keep their hands just hanging in front of their body. As the ball is on its way to the plate, the weight of the body shifts forward slightly to the balls of the feet, eyes kept on the ball at all times. Place the arms and hands to the front of the body, always anticipating a grounder coming your way. From this position the infielder is ready to move in and out, left and right.

Ground Balls. — A sharply hit grounder, one that hugs the ground on its direct course to an infielder, can be handled by dropping to one knee, the right one if a right-handed thrower, using the knee as a barrier if the ball is not fielded cleanly. This method of fielding a ground ball is recommended only if the ball is hit hard and low enough, and if the fielder knows that he has the time to get down on his knee, straighten up and still throw out the batter.

A medium-hit ground ball that hugs the ground should not be fielded on one knee. This type of grounder is fielded with the body low to the ground, hands close together, palms turned outward. Although the position (below) of this infielder taking the ground ball below his waist is technically correct, he would make the play a bit easier if he kept his right foot back slightly instead of having both feet parallel. By keeping the right foot back a trifle, the infielder is already in proper position to straighten up when he throws.

This infielder (above) is starting to his right to field a grounder hit in that direction. He pivots off the ball of his left foot and steps out with his right foot. Notice how the body is kept low and in bent position.

The infielder then crosses over with his left foot as he approaches the grounder. This infielder straightened up (right) somewhat since he thought the grounder would take a sudden hop.

Since the grounder didn't bounce high, the fielder went low again and stopped squarely in front of the ball. The stop is made by sliding the inside edge of the right foot out, the spikes digging into the ground to brace the right leg. It wasn't necessary for this fielder to dig his spikes into the ground because he arrived in sufficient time to get his body in front of the ball (below).

Shortstop Johnny Logan (right) illustrates the proper brace preparatory to throwing the ball after picking it up. The front spikes of his right leg are dug into the turf and his footing is certain as he readies his throw to the base.

On a ground ball hit to the left of the infielder, he pivots in that direction on the ball of the right foot. He steps off with the left foot, the upper part of the body again kept low, bent at the waist.

The ball is fielded "off" the left foot, using the right foot as a brace. Once the ball is in the glove, he brings the left foot forward, in the direction of the throw. Many infielders after catching up to a ball hit to the left will step back to throw. This is not recommended for the player with average body balance. Stepping back will place the body off balance and may result in a wild throw.

This major-leaguer (Ted Lepcio, right) has just fielded a sharply-hit grounder to his left. If he has time, he will step forward with his right foot and then with his left foot before throwing. However, he can also place his right foot back on the ground, rear back and throw.

A ground ball hit very slowly must be played only one way: quickly. The fielder must come charging in at full speed. A right-hander fields the ball in front of his right foot, upper body bent low (left). If the play at first is to be "bang-bang" (ball and runner arriving simultaneously), the fielder cannot waste a moment. He picks up the ball in his throwing hand (opposite page) and makes the throw underhand. Coaches, however, do not encourage a pick-up with the bare hand only. But there are times when a bare hand pick-up is the only way to play the ball if the out is to be made.

Outfield Play. — An outfielder although not required to make as many stops, turns and changes of direction as an in-fielder, must still be alert enough to know just where the ball will drop.

A good sense o£ fly judgment is most important to an outfielder.

Some outfielders, once a ball is hit, can judge immediately if they have to go in or out in order to reach it. The good out-fielder doesn't commit himself until he's certain in which direction and how far the ball has been hit.

Wind direction is important in judging the flight of a fly ball. An outfielder soon learns by the way the wind is blowing just how the ball will carry. With the wind at his back, he will soon know that a fly ball will tend to "hang" in the air and not "carry." Conversely, when the wind is blowing toward him the outfielder must play a deeper position and anticipate that the ball will carry a bit further.

Many coaches are insistent that their outfielders, when going back for a fly ball, turn their body diagonally backward—as this outfielder (below left) — so that the wind is at their back. The wind is blowing from the left of this outfielder, therefore he makes his first step diagonally backward with his right foot. If the wind blows from the right, the first diagonal backward step is with the left foot.

The second backward step is a crossover step with the left foot. This outfielder (below right) has moved into position with just two steps, and is about to settle under the ball before making the catch.

When the wind blows directly at the outfielder, he must play the ball differently. The outfielder facing the wind then (if right-handed) steps back first with his left foot. From this position he can then look over his right shoulder in order to follow the flight of the ball. The left-handed outfielder takes his first backward step with his right foot and follows the flight of the ball over his left shoulder.

When running for a fly, the outfielder keeps his arms in normal running position. He should not reach for the ball until the last moment. Reaching for the ball while still some strides away from catching it will slow up the outfielder and cut down his chances of making the catch.

This outfielder (opposite page) has settled under the fly as it is coming down. His arms are spread normally, one foot to the rear of the other. Some outfielders catch fly balls with their feet parallel, others like to keep one foot forward. This is a matter of individual preference. However, (above) is the correct stance if the outfielder must make a throw to a base after the catch.

Fly Balls. — Fly balls present a different problem for infielders. An infielder catches a fly ball as he faces home plate, or with his back turned to the infield.

Infielders should keep in mind that an infield fly rotates away from home plate. Thus when an infielder plays a fly while facing the plate, he must play the ball in front of him in order to allow for the ball rotating still further toward the outfield. However, a wind blowing toward home plate will offset the rotation of the ball and the infielder must then position himself directly under the fly ball.

Infielders, when going back toward the outfield to play a fly, should turn their back to the plate, dash out into position and attempt to catch the ball while their body is turned halfway. If possible, try not to play the ball over your shoulder.

Most outfield catches are made with palms turned upward, the elbows in front of the body. But some flies are caught — especially when the outfielder is forced to move in on the ball —with the palms facing forward, fingers pointed toward the ground.

When catching a fly ball with palms facing forward, the outfielder extends his forearms and keeps the little fingers of both hands close together (above).

When catching a fly ball with palms turned upward and fingers also pointed upward, the outfielder keeps the thumbs of both hands close together (below) and forearms extended upward. This outfielder seems to be getting in position to catch a line drive that is coming at him chest high.

The Throw. — All fielders use the same basic throwing grip. The proper grip helps control the direction of the throw and, whenever possible, this is how the ball should be held for every throw.

Grasp the ball with the thumb underneath and the first two fingers, spread slightly, on top. It is a matter of individual preference as to whether the top fingers are placed over the seams at their widest or narrowest part.

Most fielders throw overhand. This is because it is a natural movement as more throws are made from an upright position. There will be situations when a fielder will have to throw sidearm or underhand.

In the overhand throw the right-hander shifts his weight to his pivot foot, stretches arm and body backward and moves his front foot forward. At the same time, he starts to bring his throwing arm over his shoulder. The ball is released off the first two fingers and an effort should be made to keep the wrist from rotating. A wrist that rotates, or snaps, as the ball is being released, will cause the ball to curve. It is dangerous to throw curve balls when throwing the ball from one fielder to another.

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