Outfielding tips?

Hello guys! I'm Dallas and i'm 16 years old. I am on my second year of High school Softball, which is my only actual experience in Softball ever. I played my Freshmen year and I tried out my Sophomore year and did not make it. I am now playing this year, tryouts are in March and I am a junior. Since it is only my second year playing ever, I was just looking for some great tips to really work on using in the game of Softball. I am a very speedy player, and even as a Freshman 2 years ago they made me a lefty. I am naturally a right handed person, I throw with my right hand and the only left handed thing I do is batting (Bunts, Slap, Swing). I play centerfield and even though I have only played 2 years, I am the starter and nobody else has taken my spot. One problem I do have is during a game, if nobody announces where they would like the ball to played at...I freak out and stutter on throwing the ball to the correct base. I was always told to throw 2 bases ahead of the runner but what happens if there are multiple players on bases? Such as someone on first and second. Or even bases loaded with a player on all bases. I seem to get the ball to the right place but I do get very confused and during practice I freak out a bit more because I want to prove to my coach that even with 2 years of experience, I can get to the potential needed to make the team. Otherwise than that problem I have, I was just wondering from the other amazing outfielders out there if there are any game changing tips out there.

Someone can correct me if I am wrong, but since you are a player asking, you deserve a good response. This is what I want my players to do as a high school coach...
If you are an upperclassmen, make it your purpose to make the outfield a single unit. All outfielders make agressive plays. If another player in your unit (LFer or RFer) are making the play, at centerfield back them up EVERY play, regardless if you think its a sure play. The opposite fielder LFer or RFer) should back up the throw to 2nd most of the time.
Make sure your unit is communicating constantly. "Back" or "up" on fly balls the backup fielder relaying where to throw.
Now on where to throw. ALWAYS know where the runners are before before the pitch especially the lead runner. The only time you will really throw to 1st, as a centerfielder, is on a caughr fly ball runner only on first that did not "tag up". In most cases you will throw 1 or 2 bases ahead of the runner. Caught fly ball with a runner on 2nd or 3rd, throw 1 base ahead.
Non-fly ball scenarios...
Lead runner on 1st ball fielded immediately and short you may be able to get the runner out at 2nd.
If the lead runner is on 3rd, on a base hit or better you will not get the lead runner, at home, so go 2 bases ahead of the next runner:
Home if the trailing runner on 2nd,
3rd if the trailing runner on 1st,
2nx if the trailing runner is the batter.
It is the responsibility of the "cut" player to cut the ball for a play behind the play.
On an big hit that falls apart go where the ball takes you. If the ball takes you to RF throw in to 2nd or midfield cut. If it takes you to LF trow to 3rd.
Again try to make it simple, know where your runners are and know where the 1 base or 2 base throw is every play. Good Luck, be confident and play agressively! Nothing is more annoying to a coach than seeing a playable ball drop due to lack of effort or a seeing a player hold a ball because they did not know the situation before the pitch if you make a decisive play and it was the wrong decision, it is much easier to forgive.
It should mean alot to your coach that you are taking initiative to research on your own.

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I hope this doesn't discourage you, but there is no single-sentence answer that applies to all situations when it comes to where to throw the ball. krrcoach did a nice job covering some of the basics above.

You have to take into account score, inning, outs, and runners on base. It would be difficult, and probably confusing, to try to cover all those.

Here's my question: If you're sitting at home thinking about a situation or watching a game on TV, can you answer where to throw? Is the issue that you panic in the moment or that you just don't know the game as well as you'd like because you're inexperienced?

If you're just inexperienced, my advice is to watch as much baseball/softball as possible, think about the game, and play as much as possible to gain experience. Nothing beats experience! And don't be afraid to ask specific situational questions of your coach, more experienced players, your parents, or even the great people here.

If the problem is that you panic but you really do know where to throw the ball if you don't have the pressure on you, think about what to do before the pitch is even thrown. Think about what you'll do if it's a fly ball you can catch, if it's a single in front of you, if it's a ball to your left or right. Don't let yourself get caught unaware of the situation.

One last thing, "two bases ahead of the runner" is not something I've ever heard, and I'm not sure it always makes sense. I'd much rather my outfielders get the ball in/hit the cutoff as quickly as possible if they're not quite sure where to go with the ball.

CoachJD said:

... there is no single-sentence answer that applies to all situations when it comes to where to throw the ball.

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This is what makes outfield play challenging. Not just where to throw, but deciding when to dive for a ball, when to concede the hit. You have to make judgment calls.

IMO, outfielders too often are taught only through memorization and are not encouraged to think for themselves. I've been guilty of this w/ my DD, who is an outfielder. I come up with scenarios and tell her how to play them. But it's too much to memorize, and it's not always black-and-white.

Good outfielders have a more advanced understand of the game that isn't memorization. My advice to a player would be to sit out and write out scenarios that include the number and positions of the baserunners, the number of outs and the type of ball that is hit (deep fly, shallow fly, flare over the infielder, hard ground through the infield, soft grounder, etc. Maybe even include speed of the runners). Think it out for yourself, and then ask questions.

In other words, good outfielders are problem-solving on their own, thinking it through, asking questions, trying to become their own expert. Mediocre outfielders are trying to remember what they've been taught.

I played OF a little bit, biggest mistake I made was thinking I was on my own. Had a cannon for an arm.

Try to think before hand where you are going with ball. If the ball is by you, hopefully one of the infielders is coming out to help you. Throw a Strike to them, let them make decision closer to play.

There are 2 things that you need to develop as an outfielder.

1. Internal clock- The standard of throwing 2 bases ahead on a hit is a general statement. You need to judge quickly the speed of the ball, the relative direction,etc. If a runner is on first and ball is hit softly down the RF line and you are in RF, the chances of getting her at 3rd is slim so you have to go to second. You need to look at the runners and the hitter to figure out their speed. If it's a real slow runner at bat and they hit a rocket to you in RF you might be able to throw them out at 1st. In your mind you need to be running these through your mind prior to the pitch. Once the ball is coming at you know where you are going and come up quickly. Hit cutoffs when appropriate. You will make some mistakes, but learn from them. As others have said watch what games on TV to see what they do.,etc.

2. Attitude. You can't be worried about making a mistake. At the crack of the bat go hard for the ball or hard to where your need to backup. On hard liners you have to determine quickly what the risk/reward is for going after it. It will depend on the score, inning, number of outs. If it's 50-50 you might want to try for it if the runners are on 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs, but if the bases are loaded and you are up 4 runs it might be time to hold them to a single. On blooper and softer hits don't be afraid to go all out for them if you have any chance. If it gets by you it's a double but if you catch you get one of the valuable outs you need.

Of course there are the skills you need such as drop steps, throwing etc. On throwing if you miss, miss low. Give the fielders a chance to make a play versus air mailing them. Hit cutoffs when they are there. Don't hold the ball, make a play somewhere. Watch the game when you are on the bench and see what others do. In the end executing the play is the key. If you choose to play it on a hop, don't let it buy you. If you throw it, but confident and make a strong accurate throw. Just asking the question makes me think that you'll be successful. The game becomes more mental as you get older.

Just remember these three things and life will be good in the OF.

Assuming normal OF depth on a ball that is not caught in the air.

1. If you can get an out get the out (example runner on 1b and single hit to CF in front of you and slower runner on 1B. Get the out at 2B);
2. Two bases ahead of lead runner if the ball is at you or in front of you;
3. Any ball hit behind you throw 3 bases in front of lead runner.

If two or three bases puts the lead runner in their dugout move on to the next runner. Example: Runner on 2B and ball hit to the fence would imply three bases ahead of runner on 2B. Three bases would put that runner in their dugout so move to the next runner (in this case the batter) and throw three bases ahead or 3B in this case.

Never throw behind a runner! Defense is damage control! Know where you are going before the ball is hit!

GunnerShotgun said:

Never throw behind a runner! Defense is damage control! Know where you are going before the ball is hit!

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I could be misunderstanding what you mean here, but this seems wrong to me.

If you have a runner on first, base hit, and you have no shot to get the runner at third (but that runner scoring is unlikely), the correct throw is to second to keep the batter from advancing an extra base. In this case, you threw behind the lead runner.

Not an outfielding expert, but here are a couple of tips.

1) Do not run with your glove up, run with your glove tucked, then get ready to catch the ball.
2) Whenever possible, try to get behind the ball so you are coming through the ball ready to make a strong throw.
3) Have a high softball IQ and know where you are going with the ball BEFORE it is hit to you.
4) If there are no runners advancing hit your cutoff. There is NO reason to throw the ball to a bag if runners are not advancing.
5) Learn how to drop stop. Practice drop stepping to both sides.
6) Outfielders that read the ball off the bat and take good angles to the ball are better fielder than girls who are fast, but have no idea which direction to go.
7) An outfielders first step is the most important step.
8) Learn how to throw with a crow hop.
9) An outfielder coming in has an easier play than an infielder "back peddling", so take control and catch as many balls as you can.
10) An outfielder has priority over an infielder, so if you call a ball you damn well better catch it.
11) CF has priority over LF and RF, so if the CF calls the ball, everyone else needs to peel off.
12) Communication is important, be loud and call a ball at least 3 times. No one wins in a collision between outfielders.
13) Learn how to read the spin of the ball coming off the bat.
14) The sun will be a problem sooner or later. Learn how to use your off hand to shield the sun while making the catch. Wear sunglasses or a visor.
15) Learn how to find the fence, then catch the ball.

Everything JAD just said is wonderful advice.

Don't let all this advice scare you though. In MOST cases, the most important thing you can do is catch the ball (or keep it from rolling past you) and get it in to the base/cutoff quickly. There lots and lots of possibilities, but the opportunities to throw out runners is actually pretty rare unless you have a cannon for an arm (and then you get one, maybe two shots before the team stops testing you).

If your fly ball-catching fundamentals are solid and you get the ball in, you'll be OK. The rest of this will develop in time and with hard work.