QArm-only Throw

I need help with my throwing. My coach keeps telling me to use my body when I throw, he said that I'm too stiff. I first played at second base but then he moved me to center field because of my throwing problems. Is there any drills that I can do or vitamins that I can take to improve my arm a little?

AYou're not listening! Your coach tells you to use your body more and then you ask me for vitamins to improve your arm?
Forget about the arm. Start with the legs. Line yourself up so a line from one shoulder goes through the other on its way to the target. Then work on turning your back leg in to release your hips. As for the arm the basic rule is thumb to thigh then circle to the sky. In other words keep your hand on top of the ball and circle back to establish a bigger arc with your arm.

By the way, what is your coach thinking? If you can't make the throw from second to first, why would he put you in center field - where you need even better throwing mechanics? The weakest outfield arm should be in left, but even there you need to loosen up a little.

QDropping Back

In the outfield with a right handed batter which leg drops back first on a fly ball? And the same question for a lefty batter.

AIf the fielder is playing the ball to hook, it would be right leg for righty and left leg for lefty. But if the fielder knows that then he should be positioning himself differently in the first place. But maybe you need to allow for personal preferences - what feels more natural to the fielder - what gets him started quicker and dropping back faster or on a better track?

QFair or Foul

A fly ball is hit in foul territory with runners on 1st and 3rd, it is deep enough where there is not going to be a play at home. There is one out and we are up one in the top of the 8th. Should our right fielder catch the ball or not?

AInteresting question. If deep enough that there is not a play at home, then unlikely you can double the runner off first, so you won't get 2 outs and end the inning, so to catch the ball is to allow the run to score (unless he leaves 3rd early and is out on appeal - also unlikely). It creates a tie, and the old chestnut to play for a win on the road and a tie at home might apply - you do have last bats and 6 outs in which to retake the lead at that point against their 4 (1 + 3). Besides, if you let the ball drop, you don't allow the run to score, but you do give the batter who has just seen a pitch well enough to hit it deep, another chance to hit deep - a fair sacrifice would have to be caught - or else a single could still score one and could create more scoring opportunities. And after the drop you still have to get 2 outs so any of the next 2-3 batters could turn your decision to let the ball drop into a rally for them and a big inning - in which case you are no longer in a tie situation but have dug yourself a hole. Consider to that the dropped ball - even if intentional - creates a potential to be demoralized by an "error". We say make the catch if you can, take the out, try the appeal and even if unsuccessful you are still 2 out with a runner on 1st - with only a 1/3 chance the next batter will get a hit. That's better than 2 on, only 1 out, and a good chance facing 2 batters who between them might have a better than 1/2 chance to hit in one or more runs.

QHeels or Toes?

I am a coach of an AAU ball team and we were doing outfield drills and I told the players to run on their toes and the other coaches looked at me like I had two heads, is this a true statement? Should the outfielders run on there toes, or flatfooted?

AWe don't know if it's a true statement, we have not seen you and don't know if you have two heads or not. :-) Seriously, we would describe it as balls of feet, not toes, but your idea is right. Running speed comes from forward momentum, not from heel-toe action. After all you've only got a few seconds to get to the ball - it's a sprint not a marathon.

QJudging Flyballs

I play right field and the one thing i have a problem with is judging were the ball is going to go. I feel i am set up in the right place but the ball either goes over my head or way a head of me. I just would like it if you could help me on this.

AYou haven't given me much to go on. What do YOU think you're doing wrong? Sound like the problem is balls hit right at you as opposed to those to the sides. If so, cheat yourself to the side a bit so you can read the arc better. Also learn to think about things like your pitcher's style (more heat, more off-speed pitches) so you anticipate what kind of power will come off the bat and how far the ball will travel. Think about the wind speed and direction too and air temperature (the hotter the day the farther the ball will travel.)
The standard alignment for right fielder is in a straight line with second and third bases (not the basemen, the bases) so always use that as your reference point for making adjustments.

QJudging Flyballs

How can I get better at judging flyballs other than taking more and more fly balls.

AExperience really is the only teacher. And to both of them we say... run the Turn & Sprint drill to reinforce techniques for fading back on balls over their heads. You can do this at team practice but, really, all you need is one friend and an open field. it can speed up the learning over just shagging B.P. or waiting for your turn in team drills. (See Turn & Sprint driill.)

QOutfield Throws

I play the outfield positions and want to know the proper way to hold the ball. Whether it should be split finger across the seams like a four seamer or closed fingers over four seams.

AI'd recommend slight finger spacing with 4-seams but not split finger - which is a pitcher's grip general used along the two long seams - i.e. a two seamer, not 4. Fingers slightly open gives more control than two squeezed tightly together.

QOver My Head

I am a 12-year-old kid who is a outfielder for our Major/Minor baseball team (5th to 6th grade).Lately, I have been having troubles judging the ball. The ball, when it is a pop fly, always goes over my head, or hits my glove and bounces backward. Do you have any suggestions for me?

AStart by playing deeper than you have been - it's easier to come in on the ball then turn and sprint or back-pedal. To prepare yourself for those times when you do need to motor back, ask a friend to help you with the Turn and Sprint drill.

As for the glove itself (not that a good carpenter should blame his/her tools), perhaps the pocket isn't conditioned the way it should be - using shaving cream with lanolin (NOT glove oil) and by tieing 2 or 3 balls in the pocket to shape it better.

QPicking Rollers

Could you please describe for me what exactly you mean when you say 'take roller off your glove foot'?

AA low roller is a ball that may slow quickly on grass. You need to get lined up and charge the oncoming ball as soon as possible and have your glove down to the ground out front. On a charging play this works best if, say, the glove on the left hand is closer to the left foot - it keeps the palm of the glove more open to the ball (forearm turned out). If you try to keep the glove centered under your body it's going to naturally turn in - with a greater risk that you might overrun the moving ball.

QPositioning

I'm curious about the general rules or guidelines about outfield positioning. In general, where should they stand in relationship to the bases, the fence, and the baseline?

AEvery outfielder should start "straight away" - center fielder behind 2nd base, left and right between where the corner and middle infielders are standing (i.e. Left field so he can see the plate between shortstop and third baseman. Then shade toward the hitters pull-side unless your pitcher has so much zip or movement that you know hitters generally swing late on his pitches, then shade to the opposite field. For more detailed suggestions on field coverage in certain situations, see Coaching > Coverage Clinic.

QReading Fly Balls

I currently help coach a 13 year old hardball travelling team. We are struggling with hitting and judging fly balls, and the coaching staff has just plumb run out of ideas to help these kids out. Our outfield drills are consistent and in practice they do well, but in a game they can't catch or judge balls. ANY help you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

APut more pressure on them in practice so games seem easier and less stressful. For instance... have a round of do or die plays - make the play or run a lap (say). Or make the play or do 5-10 push-ups. In this way you are also practicing handling pressure. Then they can go into the game relaxed and confident - nothing to prove (and no push-ups to face). Also make sure they face a combination of short fly drills and balls hit from the plate - so they gain experience in actual trajectory of balls off the bat from a pitch.

QSafety Stop

Can you explain in detail the safety stop for an outfielder. Is it important which knee is down?

AGlove knee down. See motion-enhanced page under Playing > Outfield. The reason it is it turns the body so when you come up to throw your shoulders are aligned properly. (The in-motion animation on that page makes this clearer, but even from the static drawing you should be able to imagine the throwing alignment.) By the way, the purpose of the safety stop is not to improve the player's fielding percentage on his stats sheet, it's for situations when the single is being conceded and there is no lead runner trying to score or advance an extra base, and the batter-runner shows no sign of trying to stretch a single into a double.

QSleep and Eat

What I'd like to know is - based on my size and age etc. - how much sleep I should be getting per night and what types of food would be good for somebody like myself. I am 15 and I am about 5 foot 11 and am pretty light at around 130 lbs. I consider myself a fast runner as I also play football. I play center field alot (if that helps).

AFirst, it is encouraging to see you care about these things - too many teenagers don't, yet with the deamnd on the body's energy systems for growth, it is a critical time to understand nutrition. That's why we cover it in the Pow'rAlley. See also the page on tournament preparation in that center. The recommended foods are for any young athlete - the emphasis on those which build and replenish muscle and strengthen the key energy systems in the body.
As for sleep - if you feel truly rested, you're getting enough. Period. There's no magic formula based on age or weight, but the 8 hour guideline has never been proven wrong, though I've heard experts talk in terms of 10 or more for your age as being ideal. (Yes that sounds like a lot, but have you ever been half asleep in school, or felt listless at a Saturday morning practice?)
I hope this helps. The nutrition info is the most crucial. Remember your body burns fat in the muscle and in quick burst activities like baseball, can go straight to the muscle for energy - that's where pulls and tears come from. (My number one recommended muscle food is bananas!)

QStrong Right Field

One of my parents wanted to know why I have one of my most talented outfielders playing right field. I tell him that two thirds of the time, kids hit to the right side. With good pitching, kids are not able to get the bat around soon enough to be able to pull the ball. I coach 8,9,10 year old kids (minors), and have not seen a hitter that is able to pull the ball with any consistency. I'm I wrong? Or is there any truth to what I think I see.

AWell, let me give you a collecyion of answers or approaches to dealing with the parents "who know best" and pick what works bets in each individual situation you might face.
1. Every parent wants his/her son on the mound whetherthe kid can pitch or not (and whether they admit it or not). So I don't expect any parent to be happy that any kid is in the outfield.
2. If your hit charts show a high % of hits to that side then why even ask? Baseball is a game of percentages and that's how you're playing it. Good for you.
3. Unfortunately there is a stigma attached to right field (must be the 9 slot thing), because most kids do tend to get ahead of pitchers at an early age. If you need a strong right fielder then you have good pitching, certainly and you should be grateful - and so should that parent.
4. The guideline for later years - right up through the pros - is to put your best legs in center, surest glove in left, strongest throwing arm in right. (All other talents being equal.)
5. Maybe you should ask that parent to be scorekeeper - so that can decide track the results.

QSun into the Outfield

Do you have any tips or drills for outfielders to improve their ability to pick up the ball off the bat? We frequently play on fields with lousy backgrounds (large white or light colored buildings behind chain link backstop) and have been burned on several occasions by just not seeing the ball when it is hit toward us. We play our games early in the day (9-12), use sunglasses if it is clear and sunny.

AA warm morning sun in the southwest? Speaking as someone now living in the wet northwest, I envy you.

As an alternate to polarized sunglasses (glare reduction) consider the flip-ups - expensive but effective.
Second thought - worst ball to judge is one right at you, so consider playing a little off to the side of wher you anticipate the hit will go (cheat to the side that's easier for you to catch from).
Finally, try sighting through the open webbing in your outfielder's mitt (I hope you aren't out there with closed webbing). My favorite style is the so-called flytrap style (criss-cross lacing) but the post style works very well too.

QThrowing Technique

What is the proper way to throw from the outfield? I myself can make good throws but being a lefty they tail to the left. Should I take longer strides forward?

AThe starting point for a good outfield throw (to gun down a runner at second, third or home) is momentum and direction. Try to come up on the flyball or grounder on a banana route so that your momentum after the catch is on a line to your target base or cutoff.
Next key is the footwork - the so called crowhop with your throwing foot to get it slightly ahead of your body. Then your body can continues to drive forward over that planted foot. (Without the little hop, you are too far forward at launch.)
Now, keep your hand on top of the ball as your arm swings back and use your glove arm for a forward counterbalance - aimed at your target.
Bring your front shoulder down and try to let your throwing arm move in an almost vertical arc (what some call a 6-12 throw - over the top) with as little sideways motion as possible - this will give you a more vertical release, better back spin, and less side slip on the ball (to avoid that tailing action). Keep your front foot aimed towards the target (well, slightly closed) as you land on it and release the ball with the arm forward about 30-40 degrees off the ground.

QTurn & Sprint

How do I teach my outfielders to not break in with their first move? I have several of my players coming in only to see the ball going over their head.

ABecause it is difficult to break instinctive behavior, we would get them to start farther out first, so the step inward doesn't hurt.