Outfielding

Speed, hustle, the ability to judge a fly ball and a powerful throwing arm are the prime qualifications of an outfielder.

All outfielders should possess these qualifications and, where possible, there is some advantage to have a left-handed right-fielder and a right-handed left-fielder. The center-fielder should be the fastest and surest of the outfielders. Since he will catch more balls and pick up more grounders, he should be the best fielder.

The right-fielder's toughest chances are fielding grounders and catching flies hit between him and the foul line. The left-handed thrower who plays the ball on his left, or throwing, side already is in position to make the throw back to the infield. Thus a left-hander can get the ball away a bit quicker from the right field position than a right-hander. The reverse is true in left field where a right-hander has a slight advantage.

A smart outfielder not only knows how to catch and throw but makes a study of the hitters.

He knows which batter is most likely to hit a certain pitch to a specific part of the field. This knowledge is very important, and the thinking outfielder sometimes can overcome a lack of other talents provided he knows just when and where to play the batters.

A pull hitter, left or right, should be played shaded toward his strength. A strong right-handed pull hitter who smashes to left field almost any pitch he can hit, should be played deep and toward the left side of the diamond. The left-fielder plays closer to the foul line; the center-fielder moves to the left-center hole and the right-fielder moves to his right, leaving a gap between him and the right-field foul line. Reverse these fielding positions for a left-handed pull hitter.

The knowledge of just where the batter will hit a pitch plus the information that the pitcher is throwing a curve or fast ball are aids to proper outfielding.

The outfielder must also know the speed of the base-runners so that he doesn't make a needless throw after picking up a grounder. If there is a fast runner on second base and the batter hits a hopping ball through the box and into center field, that outfielder must immediately come up with the answer to the question: Can I get the runner at the plate?

The experienced outfielder had the answer even before the batter singled through the middle of the diamond. A hopping ball coming to the center-fielder who is playing a normal depth does not travel too quickly. Therefore, with a fast base-runner on second, there doesn't seem to be much chance to get the runner at the plate. The throw should be made to second, holding the batter to a single. A needless throw to the plate in this situation would only result in the batter darting to second on the throw to the plate.

The following pages vividly illustrate some of the outfielding techniques.

Willie Mays (below) exhibits flawless form in catching a fly hit to his right and to. his rear. He started back and to the right by making a pivot on his left foot and stepping off with his right. When he got into position to make the catch he had his glove outstretched, both palms facing upward, the little finger of his throwing hand against the little finger of his gloved hand. Willie's right foot is about to be placed in back of his left. Right after making the catch he dug the front spikes of his right foot into the ground, his left foot in front. His feet were then in excellent alignment and he was in perfect position to throw back to the infield in order to keep the base-runners from advancing after the catch.

A little blooper went into short left field, slightly to the left of this fast-charging outfielder (above) who had been playing the batter at normal depth. He started moving in on the fly by stepping off first with his left foot. As he approached the ball he made up his mind to try for the catch.

In comes the left-fielder, eyes always on the ball, attempting to time his stride so that his glove will reach the ball before it drops.

An outfielder who races in on a short fly, or line drive, can make the catch but one way: the inside of his wrist and palm of the glove facing outward, his fingers pointing toward the ground. This outfielder charges quickly on this short pop, his arm and glove well out in front of his body. He realizes that he is out of stretching position to make a two-handed catch.

It's obvious that this catch cannot be made if the fielder attempts to make it with the glove held in an upward position, fingers pointed upward. If the catch were attempted in that fashion, the ball would strike the heel of the glove.

After the lunging one-handed catch is made (below), proper positioning must be maintained if the fielder is to keep the ball secure. The outfielder slides to the grass, his left knee and leg taking the weight of the awkward slide. He keeps his right arm high so that the trunk of his body will not come forward. The best way to break a fall after making this type of catch is to roll over on your left side, bringing the glove into your waist.

Mickey Mantle's fly-catching technique on a ball hit to his rear differs from those used by Willie Mays (see page 172). Mickey had to go back and to his left for this long drive. He started after the ball by pivoting left on his right foot and stepping off with his left. He never once turned his back on the ball, following it in flight with his head turned at an angle. Some coaches disapprove of the outfielder who keeps his head turned toward the infield as he races backward for a fly ball. They prefer the outfielder to turn his back on the fly, run to the position to where he thinks it may descend, and then turn around to make the catch. However, it is possible that this fly that Mickey is racing for has not been hit that far. If the outfielder feels he has a better chance of making the catch by following the flight of the ball, as Mickey is doing here, then he should play it that way.

You must be exceedingly fast to run backward while keeping your head turned in the direction of the ball. Also, you must maintain proper balance since you are looking one way and running in another in this situation. Your feet may slip out from in front of you if you're not careful, and one slight stumble means that the ball will not be caught.

Mickey reaches the ball as it hits his glove, just below the pocket. The fingers of his bare hand are relaxed and stretched as he places them against the ball to keep it from popping out of his glove. Mickey has made the catch as the front of his right foot hits the ground.

Still in motion, Mickey continues to move as he gains firm control of the ball.

Since there were no runners on base, he did not pull up short by coming to a stop on his left foot. When the bases are empty always keep moving. If it is not necessary, do not break stride.

Although many school games are played on fields without walls, or enclosures, outfielders must learn the problems involved in going back for a fly that may hit the wall, or land close to it.

The Duke draws a bead (below) on the ball. He has made up his mind —come what may — that he's going to make the catch. He knows — and this is important — that a fellow outfielder (left-fielder or right-fielder) — is already backing him up, close by the wall and ready to take the rebound if he doesn't make the catch. Outfielders, by backing up, work as a team on this type of play. Snider has decided that he has nothing to lose by trying for the ball and is ready to spring upward off his right foot.

Centerfielder Duke Snider (above) has such a problem to contend with. First he asks: Is the ball catchable? If so, do not hesitate once your mind is made up that the catch can be made. Walls, however, are of firm foundation and they should not be challenged with flesh and bones.

Up he goes (below), the pocket of his glove facing the ball, fingers pointed upward. His bare hand is against the wall to stop his forward motion into the wall and to furnish his body with protection and balance. This type of catch can only be attempted with one hand. Attempting such a catch with two hands would mean that the outfielder, when jumping for the ball, would lose control of his body and crash into the wall. No put-out is worth a crippling injury. Snider is aware of this and has taken the proper precautions, even though his attempt is still a bit risky.

A great catch (above) because Snider did everything perfectly. He judged the downward flight of the ball properly, leaped at the right time, maintained proper body balance, and was sure-handed enough to keep control of the ball once it smacked into the pocket of his glove. There was nothing "lucky" about this defensive gem.

Any outfielder who is uncertain about whether he will be able to make such a catch, should first go back to the wall and face the fly ball. If he decides he cannot catch it, he should immediately run back toward the infield, turn around and face the wall to play the rebound.

All catches on these two pages were made because each fielder timed the ball and his stretch, or leap, perfectly. Timing is most important when making one-handed jumping catches. Leap too soon, the ball will strike the heel o£ your glove; spring high too late and the ball will be gone beyond you.

No. 20 shows how to take a ball hit directly over your head when the catch must be made with the back to the infield. Although No. 20 is an infielder, his technique should be studied by every would-be outfielder who has trouble catching a ball hit over his head. Keep the glove high, the arm

stretched away from the body. If the fly is timed correctly, the ball will find its way into the glove.

Another type of leaping back-to-diamond grab is turned in by speedster Billy Bruton (No. 38) who collars the ball while both feet are off the ground. This is one of those run-and-hope plays an outfielder must make from time to time. As the ball is hit, just turn your back to the infield and run in the direction of the drive. Then hope you arrive at approximately the same time that you can stick your glove out, backhanded, to make the catch.

Going up like an elevator (opposite page) is Al Kaline, a supreme fly-catcher who loves to leap for batted balls. Proof that Kaline didn't leave his feet too early or too late is in the pocket of his glove. The catch was made as he approached the peak of his leap, a picture fielding play guaranteed to make his pitcher feel grateful.

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