DD spends a good deal of time (when she's not catching) in the OF. She is a great outfielder and honestly this is where I foresee her playing in the future. (fwiw - she is a great catcher too - but she is small and fast so probably more valuable to her team in the OF). Anyway - I digress...
DD is fast. She tracks a ball well and has a great arm. She is usually fearless - when catching she will make crazy dives to catch foul popups, she doesn't back down from bigger stronger girls when there is a play at the plate, etc. She is a good baserunner who loves to slide. She thinks the amount of dirt on her uniform dictates how much fun she has...so ... the problem?
She rarely dives in the outfield. Now I get that if you dive and miss it takes longer to regain your footing and retrieve the ball and make the play...but - IME you have to push your limits to make the great plays. She is such a perfectionist that she is afraid to miss. She would rather play it safe and let the ball take a hop than dive. I have been trying to encourage her to push her limits IN PRACTICE. She won't. I told her that is why outfielders HAVE to back each other up. So if one misses, there is someone else to help out. She won't listen to me...help!!!
DD is fast. She tracks a ball well and has a great arm. She is usually fearless - when catching she will make crazy dives to catch foul popups, she doesn't back down from bigger stronger girls when there is a play at the plate, etc. She is a good baserunner who loves to slide. She thinks the amount of dirt on her uniform dictates how much fun she has...so ... the problem?
She rarely dives in the outfield. Now I get that if you dive and miss it takes longer to regain your footing and retrieve the ball and make the play...but - IME you have to push your limits to make the great plays. She is such a perfectionist that she is afraid to miss. She would rather play it safe and let the ball take a hop than dive. I have been trying to encourage her to push her limits IN PRACTICE. She won't. I told her that is why outfielders HAVE to back each other up. So if one misses, there is someone else to help out. She won't listen to me...help!!!