The challenge for the player who is being judged for his fielding ability is to not get caught up in perfecting one position.

The fact is, many of today's best players are in the line-up because of their hitting ability and may not be in the same spot on the field where they excelled at high school or younger.

So rather than judge a player on his abilities as, say, a third baseman or right fielder, the scout will be considering the basic fielding qualities - arm strength, range, quickness, ball-handling - that will keep his bat in the line-up and put him in a fielding spot where he can help the club. (This is not the way it always was - shortstops were once valued only for their glove but are now expected to be solid hitters as well. In fact many high school shortstops have been moved to second base to strength both the hitting and fielding abilities of the team.

What this means to you, despite what many answered on the Nose2Nose survey, is that you should try to work at several positions on both sides of the field - to improve your reading of batters and your reaction to hits. For another take on infielder qualities, click here.


Body Control

Look for infielders with good body control. They need first-step quickness, and be able to field balls to the glove side and throwing side, time jumps, and charge the ball to come up throwing. This requires not only good anticipation and quick feet, but hands that are both soft and quick - to adjust to bad hops and absorb sharply hit line drives.

Range

• Foot speed is the only common denominator of offense and defense. This is one tool that does not go into slumps. A good outfielder will be able to cover a lot of ground in the outfield. The centerfielder has the most territory to cover, so obviously getting a good jump on the ball and having good speed is vital for a good outfielder.
• The outfielder must be able to field ground and fly balls and come up throwing. Outfielders need to be able judge how hard a ball is hit and be able to field fly balls hit over his head. The centerfielder requires the most speed and the rightfielder the strongest arm. A good centerfielder can run the 60 yard dash in under 6.6 seconds. Left and rightfielders should run the 60 yard dash under 6.8 seconds.
• A fast runner is of greater priority for clubs that play on artificial turf because they are playing in a bigger park and the ball travels faster than on grass. A fast outfielder may be able to catch up to two more balls a game thus saving his ball club an average of one run a game.

Arm Strength

This is a tool that is often overlooked by ball players today and one of the most lacking tools at the major league level. With 10 teams playing on artificial surfaces, making fielders play their position deeper, a strong arm is even more necessary today than in the past. A strong arm will cut down baserunners trying to score and prevent runners from taking extra bases. The player with a strong arm will have fewer teams run against him.
When scouts are evaluating a player's arm strength it is usually during pre-game infield-outfield practice. A scout will get to see several throws by the outfielders to second, third, and home plate. If a player has a good arm, chances are he will show it here, particularly on throws to home plate.

Scouts are looking for four arm assets from outfielders:

• a strong overhand throw,
• a straight-line trajectory,
• good carry,
• and good life on the turf when the ball finally hits the ground.

Fielding is certainly a tool that can be improved with practice - the feet can get quicker, the hands softer.

Less easily taught (or measured) is the natural instincts of a good infielder - where to position youself, when to stay deep, when to charge, whether you have time to turn two or need to go for the sure out at first. Those instincts can be your pitcher's, coach's and team's best friend. It's unlikely a coach will see you make enough plays during any one game (or the part he's at) to fully judge your instinctual playing ability. This is one area where he may ask around - so your performance throughout the season may become important, though it's unlikely he will put much faith in your stats or in reports that are just too glowing.