3 Steps to Better Outfielders

Playing the outfield isn't easy and finding good outfielders can be even tougher. Discover 3 keys that will make it easier for you to have good outfielders

Playing the outfield is an extremely tough and challenging job. At the elite levels it requires players to have good to great speed, good glove work, a little dare-devil for dives and fence crashes, a good arm and great focus and concentration skills. This position has only 3 players that must cover more ground than the rest of their 6 teammates put together. So why is it so hard to find good outfielders?

The reason starts at the younger ages. When players are first learning to play softball it's hard for them to hit a ball much less hit it far, so balls aren't often hit into the outfield. As a result, coaches tend to put their better players where the most balls are hit - and that's in infield at the younger ages.

As players get better they hit the ball harder and more balls end up going to the outfield, and that's when more players want to play the outfield. We've all seen games won or lost by the play of an outfielder and we all know how crucial the position is. Well, all of us coaches, that is.

Encouraging players to play the outfield, to play it well and take pride in being an outfielder can be a tough sell, so here are 3 steps to make that easier:

1. Inform Them – let them know how important outfielders are:
   1. Each college team needs at least 3 of them so your chances of playing at that level are good (if you're good).
   2. 3 players cover more area than all the other 6 put together
   3. You get to run (if you like that)
   4. You won't have groundballs slammed at you
   5. You get to move around a lot & have more freedom than in the infield
   6. They're like the firewall of your computer - you don't use it much but when you do it's crucial!!
2. Expose Them – let them see higher skilled players in the outfield either through watching local college teams play, the Olympic team play or having them watch 2-time Olympic Gold Medalist – Leah O'Brien-Amico's outfield DVD.
3. Excite Them – get them involved with exciting and fun outfield drills also (check out our fielding eDrills) so they become better skilled and are more willing to embrace the position.