Outfielder

From Encyclopedia Jr, free information reference for Kids

An outfielder moves in to catch a fly ball

Outfielder is a collective term including left fielder, center fielder, and right fielder, the three positions in baseball farthest from the batter. Outfielders are primarily engaged in attempting to catch long fly balls.

[edit] Strategy

The outfield positions can be divided into the corner outfielders and the center fielder. Corner outfielders are often slower and have less defensive value than the center fielder. However, there are some important differences between right fielders and left fielders. Right fielders tend to have the best throwing arms of the outfield so they can make the long throw to third base on a triple down the first base line, but are not as fast as left fielders. But left fielders get more plays as right handed pull hitters will often hit the ball into left field. Center fielders are generally the fastest and most athletic of the three because they have to cover the most ground in order to get to hits in the gaps and/or back up the right and left fielders when balls are hit to them.

Most of the biggest power hitters in baseball played in the outfield, where they do not have as constant involvement in fielding plays as other positions, especially before the institution of the designated hitter. For example, Babe Ruth was moved from pitcher to the outfield (playing left field most of the time except when the Yankees put him in right field in home games in Yankee Stadium). However, though left fielders and right fielders are often slow power hitters, center fielders are usually fast baserunners and good defensive players, as centerfield is by far the hardest outfield position, requiring both a good throwing arm and speed. In fact, center fielders on many teams often bat leadoff.

Sometimes there will be an outfielder who does not have the power to play the corner positions but who does not have the defense to play center field. These players will often become fourth outfielders or even fifth outfielders, back up outfielders who can sub at all three outfield positions.

Baseball positions
	Outfielders:	Left field | Center field | Right field
	Infielders:	3rd base | Shortstop | 2nd base | 1st base
	Battery:	Pitcher | Catcher
	Other:	Designated hitter