Outfielding tips?

JAD said:

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.

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