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The ready position for the outfield is similar to the infield but only about half the crouch and bend. Weight should also be on the balls of your feet. You should be ready to ’take off’ at the crack of the bat. Always remember the following:
- You should try to catch fly balls with two hands at about eye-level, with a slight bend at the elbows.
- You should cushion the ball as it lands it your glove, don’t stab at it.
- When running after a fly ball, avoid running with your glove extended up into the air until you arrive near the ball, as this will only slow you down which may prevent you from getting to the ball.
On high pop-fly’s, you’ll want to circle the ball so that you are facing towards the infield, so that you can make the quick throw into the infield. Proper outfield play involves a lot of running. On almost any ball hit, every outfielder should be moving somewhere, either to the ball, backing up another outfielder, backing up an infielder who is fielding the ball, or backing up an infielder who may have the ball thrown to him. On that particular play. Again, you must always be aware of the situation, outs, runners, score, what to do with the ball if it is hit to me. Know before the ball is hit, so that you don’t have to think about it as the ball is approaching you.
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