24 Outfield Keys

1. Move on each pitch & expect the ball to be put in play.
2. Check the wind by throwing a few blades of grass in air before each inning.
3. Play smart.  Know the hitter, the count and the situation.  Keep runners from advancing! 
4. Get up on the balls of your feet and creep in as the pitcher delivers the ball to the plate.  It will be easier and faster for you to get up to top speed if your body is already in motion when the ball is hit.
5. Relax and stay focused.  Have confidence in your ability to field and throw the ball.
6. If the sun is in your eyes, wear sunglasses.   
7. Do not run with your glove hand extended.  Pump both arms as you sprint to where you expect to catch the ball.  Don't extend your glove until you are in position to make the catch.  
8. Check the condition of the outfield grass.  Is it long or short?  Is the field well maintained or should you expect bad bounces?  Check these things out during pregame practice.  
9. Never walk to and from your position. Always sprint!
10. Don't hold the ball. Quickly throw the ball into the infield, in front of any base runners. 
11. On routine ground balls, play the ball in front of your body.  If no runners are on base, move to the ball and drop to one knee.  Use your body to stop balls that take a bad bounce and get past your glove.
12. Use a 3-seam grip when throwing the ball.  Place middle finger in the middle of one of the "horseshoe" seams. 
13. Ideally, you want to catch fly balls on the throwing side of your body.
14. Always expect the infielder in front of you to miss the ball.  Charge each ground ball as if the infielder isn't there.  
15. Outfielders have priority over infielders.  Take charge!  Don't be afraid to "call-off" an infielder when you are certain that you will be able to catch the ball in the air.  
16. Communication is key to preventing outfielders from colliding with each other or with infielders.  Holler “Mine, Mine, Mine” or “I Got It” as soon as you know that you can make the play.  Outfielders should call-off infielders when the outfielder has a clear view of the ball and can make an easy catch moving forward.  The center fielder is "Queen" of the outfield.  She can call off any infielder or outfielder.
17. Know the situation before the ball is hit. Understand where you will throw the ball.
18. Keep relay throws low! It is better to throw on one long hop to the cut-off than to throw over her head.  
19. Assume that ground balls and sinking line drives hit to an adjacent outfielder will bounce past her.   As soon as the ball is hit, run hard towards the location where the ball might go.  Don't be lazy and not start running until after the ball bounces past your teammate. 
20. If you are not fielding a ball hit to the outfield, shout out to the outfielder making the play and let her know where to throw.  
21. All OF’s should back up infield plays.  Anticipate wild throws and try to position yourself to retrieve errant throws in time to prevent runners from advancing.  Remember, if you’re not moving, you’re snoozing!
22. When the winning run is on 2B or 3B, stand closer to home plate to prevent short fly balls from dropping in for base hits and to improve your chances of throwing a runner out at home plate.  
23. Winning run on 3B, with less than 2 outs, DO NOT catch a foul ball that would allow the runner on third to tag up and score easily after the catch.  
24. If you lose the ball in the sun or the lights, don’t panic! If another fielder is close by, holler "You Take It".   If no one is near enough to help you, shield the sun with your glove and alter your normal catching position so that you are catching the ball from the side.  Hopefully, this will change your line-of-sight and enable you to pick-up the flight of the ball.  If this fails, protect yourself and get out of the way.  Pick the ball up off the ground and hurry it into the infield.  

 

Outfield Tips:

Don't extend your glove when sprinting towards the ball:
When you run with your glove extended, you tend to drift and not reach maximum speed.   Pump with both arms.

Get rid of the ball quickly:
Never hold on to the ball in the outfield. Throw the ball to an infielder as soon as possible so they can either make a play on a runner or run the ball into the infield. Making quick throws will be easier if you have mentally rehearsed in advance where you intend to throw any ball hit to you. 

 
Catch Fly Ball Above the Throwing Shoulder
Ideally, you want to catch the ball on the glove side of your body as you move through the ball towards your intended throwing target.

 

Communicate to Avoid Collisions & Prevent Cheap Base Hits
When a fly ball is in between fielders, the first fielder to realize that she can make the catch should call out Mine, Mine, Mine or I Got It, I Got It.  Nearby fielders should acknowledge your call and yell Take it, Take it, Take it!   It is a lot easier for a fielder to catch and secure the ball when they are reasonably sure that no teammate will be running into them. 

The first fielder to call for a fly ball can be called off.  It is usually easier for an outfielder to run in and catch a pop fly, then for an infielder to run back into the outfield and attempt to catch the ball over her shoulder.  Outfielders will typically not call for fly ball until they are certain they can make the catch.  When an outfielder makes a late call, the infielder should quickly holler "Take It, Take It" and move out of the way to avoid a collision.  

Get a Good Jump On Balls Hit in Your Direction

The majority of inexperienced softball outfielders don't react until AFTER the ball is hit. Experienced outfielders begin moving before the ball is hit.  Outfielders need to watch pitches as they leave the pitcher’s hand and, also, read the path of the hitter's bat barrel. (i.e. Did the batter swing early or late?  Will the bat hit the top or bottom half of the ball? Where did the ball make contact with the bat?)  Moving as the pitch is hit helps outfielders get a good jump on the ball.  This skill requires lots of practice to perfect.

Prep Steps
Prep steps can be any type of movement that keeps the body loose and ready to react.  The movement may be a side-to-side weight transfer, a small step forward, or any other movement that the outfielder prefers.  The important thing to understand is that it is easier to get your body moving if you are not starting flat-footed and still.   Outfielders who get a good jump on the ball will cover more ground and be able to catch more balls before they fall in for a base hit.

Communication

Outfielders work as a team.  The center fielder is Queen.  She is responsible for positioning the corner outfielders.  On fly balls between fielders the rules are:

      -  The center fielder can "call off" any outfielder or infielder

     -  Any outfielder can call off any infielder