Willie M

Where Should I Throw the Ball?

This is for outfielders and instructs them what to do with the ball once they get it.

In it's simplest form, there are three basic rules that answer the outfielder's question of, "Where should I throw the ball?"

Rule #1 - If the ball doesn't get past you ... throw it directly to a base.

Rule #2 - If the ball does get past you ... throw it directly to the relay man.

Rule #3 - Never just hold the ball.

Rule #2 must sometimes be modified if you are playing at a field with very short outfield fences.  When the ball is against the fence or rolls past an outfielder to the fence, it is not necessarily a very long throw to get the ball directly to a base.  On a small field with short fences, you can basically get rid of  Rule #2 and apply Rule #1 to all hits - throw the ball directly to a base.

On big fields (like Houston High School or James Road), Rule #2 will apply.  Rule #2 is much easier to execute than Rule #1 because it doesn't really require much analysis of where the runners are at.  And it's a good thing, since you are probably going to have to turn your back to the infield.  While you're chasing the ball, you will be unable to keep track of the runners rounding the bases.  Your job is now to quickly retrieve the ball and make a strong throw to the nearest relay man.  Let her worry about where to throw it next. 

In nearly all cases the relay man will be either the 2nd baseman or the shortstop.  The leftfielder will generally be throwing it to the shortstop.  The rightfielder will generally be throwing it to the 2nd baseman.  The centerfielder may throw it to either, depending on which of the two chooses to come to the rescue.  Make sure you do not throw the ball over the relay man's head.

SIDENOTE:  Do not confuse a "relay man" with a "cutoff man".  A relay man will always be stationed in the shallow part of the outfield.  Her job is to help get the ball back into the infield because the ball has been hit so deeply that it is beyond the ability of the outfielder to effectively get the ball back in without a little help.  On the other hand, a "cutoff man" will normally be stationed about 40 feet in front of the base to which the outfielder is throwing the ball in order to cut it off if the throw to the base is inaccurate, weak, or is too late to get the runner.  A "cutoff man" is frequently stationed in the infield.  Whenever an outfielder is making a direct throw to a base, she should be focused on the BASE and not the "cutoff man."  For instance, when throwing the ball home, you should be looking at the catcher ... not the 1st baseman who is typically stationed near the pitching circle.  There will always be a "relay man" when you need one.  There may or may not be a "cutoff man."

I know what you're thinking.  "Duh!  Cap'n Dave, don't you think we know that we're supposed to throw the ball to a base?  We're not stupid!"

Oh, really?  Well, it is not uncommon to see outfielders do this incorrectly.  The most common mistakes are:

• Making an inaccurate throw to the base, forcing the fielder to have to go chase it.

• Making a weak or arcing throw to the base.

• Throwing the ball to a nearby fielder expecting them to throw it to the base for you.

• Throwing to the wrong base.

Making inaccurate or weak throws will be addressed under another topic.  For now, we're going to limit the discussion to which base to throw it to.

First of all, it's important to emphasize that you are expected to the have the arm strength to throw the ball all the way to any base from your outfield position.  That's why you make the big bucks.  I'm not saying that you have to throw it there all the way on the fly.  One or two hops is perfectly acceptable.  The point is - you should not need any help.  Do not make a lazy toss to a nearby fielder and expect them to make the throw that you are expected to make.

The reason an outfielder throws to a nearby infielder is usually because she's thinking, "Geez, look at all those runners running around the bases.  It's so confusing.  My mom is screaming for me to throw it to 2nd.  My dad wants me to throw it to 3rd.  And my little brother thinks I should throw it home.  I think I'll just give the ball to the shortstop and let her figure out where to throw the ball.  It's too complicated for me."  I hope this doesn't describe you.

Outfielders have to think about where the runners are located before each pitch just as much as the infielders do.  They have to anticipate what might happen and where they are likely to throw the ball.  It is too late to figure out where the runners are located when the ball is heading your way.  Infielders don't do that and neither should the outfielders.  If the play surprises you, then you're not doing your job.  You're not ...

FOCUSING!

"If the ball is hit to me, where should I throw it?"  That question needs to be answered before the pitcher delivers the ball to the batter.

For the purpose of this discussion, let's assume the batter has hit a ground ball that has made it past the infielders.  The ball is easily fielded by the outfielder.  It's time to apply Rule #1 -   If the ball doesn't get past you ... throw it directly to a base.

With the bases empty (or just a runner on 3rd), unless the ball was hit hard to the rightfielder, you are going to throw the ball to 2nd base 99% of the time.  The batter is going to get to 1st base easily and we're trying to hold her to a single. 

Never be concerned about a runner who starts on 3rd base.  They're going to score on any ball that gets through the infield on the ground.  Outfielders can ignore runners on 3rd base when the batter gets a routine hit.  A rare exception to that would be if the runner fell down or just got confused and didn't run for some unexplainable reason.

In all other situations, a general rule-of-thumb is to throw the ball two bases ahead of the lead runner.

Example:  Runner on 2nd (or 1st and 2nd).  Base hit to centerfield.  Throw the ball home!  Make a direct throw!  Do not toss it to the shortstop or 2nd baseman and have them throw it in for you.  You're the centerfielder!  You're out there because you have a great arm.  Use it!  The rightfielder is the usual exception in that she can usually afford to throw out the batter at 1st base provided the ball was hit hard and directly at her.

Example:  Runner on 1st only.  Base hit to right field.  Throw the ball to 3rd base!  Throw it like a line drive coming off a bat.  Your throw will probably get cutoff somewhere along the line, but that's not your concern.  Remember, outfielders don't care about the "cutoff man" because they are focusing on the base.  Your only responsibility to the "cutoff man" is to keep the trajectory of the ball low enough that the "cutoff man" could grab it if she chooses.  That's why we don't want a "rainbow throw."  Naturally, if the batter hit the ball hard and directly to the rightfielder, she may change her mind and throw out the batter at 1st.

Notice in each of the above two examples that the outfielder threw the ball two bases in front of the lead runner.  That's what you should be thinking before the ball is ever hit in your direction.

Just as there are some exceptions for the rightfielder, because of how close she is to 1st base, there are also some exceptions for the left and centerfielder.

Always be aware of possible force plays on the bases.  With a runner at 1st base and the batter hits a screaming grounder up the middle, the centerfielder may have an opportunity to force the runner out at 2nd.  Always look for opportunities like that.  With runners at 1st and 2nd (or bases loaded), the leftfielder may get a chance to force the runner out at 3rd base.

Again, these type of special plays require the ball to be hit hard and directly to the fielder.  It also helps if the runner involved is not exactly a speedster.  This is the one time you might not throw the ball two bases ahead of the lead runner.

We haven't talked about flyballs yet.  They are easy.  After catching the ball, you are always going to throw it to the base in front of the lead runner.  This includes when a runner is at 3rd base.  Unlike base hits, we do not ignore the runner at 3rd on flyballs.  Throw the ball directly home!

Now it's time for a quick quiz.  Only four questions.  The answers will follow immediately.

1.  There are runners at 1st and 2nd and you're the rightfielder.  The batter hits it to the 2nd baseman but she makes an error and it rolls between her legs.  You run to your right and get the ball.  Now what?

ANSWER:  Since the ball didn't get past you - you should throw it directly to a base.  The rule-of-thumb says to throw it 2-bases ahead of the lead runner.  That would be home.  But you already knew that because you decided that before the pitcher ever pitched the ball.  You're a superstar rightfielder!

2.  There are runners at 1st and 2nd and you're the leftfielder.  The batter hits a high flyball that you will easily catch.  Then what are you going to do?

ANSWER:  On flyballs, you always throw the ball 1-base ahead of the lead runner.  In this case, that would be 3rd base.  You make a direct throw.  That runner would be foolish to tag up and test your arm.

3.  There are runners at 1st and 3rd and you're the centerfielder.  The batter hits a shot up the middle that is hit directly at you.  You charge in, pick it up on the run and throw it to ...

ANSWER:  2nd base!  Forget the runner at 3rd.  She's going to score no matter what you do.  But you probably have a shot at forcing the runner at 2nd.  This is one of those rare exceptions where you would not throw it 2-bases ahead of the lead runner.  The reason you do this is because the batter hit the ball hard and directly to you.  You may have time.  Give it a shot.  Even if your throw is late ... no harm done.

4.  There are runners at 2nd and 3rd and you're the leftfielder.  The batter hits a gap shot between you and the centerfielder that goes all the way to the 300 foot fence.  You're way out there. You get to it first.  Where do you throw it?

ANSWER:  It's time to apply Rule #2 - If the ball does get past you ... throw it directly to the relay man.  Forget about the runners, you're too busy chasing the ball.  As soon as you pick it up and turn around, you're probably going to see the shortstop out there with her hands in the air.  Throw it to her.  Throw it hard!  Just don't throw it over her head.

I didn't spend much time talking about Rule #3 - Never just hold the ball.  If you get completely confused, you'd be better off just slinging the ball toward the center of the infield than just holding on to it.  But you girls already know not to hold on to the ball in the outfield.  Besides, if you apply Rule #1 or Rule #2 ... you'll never have to deal with Rule #3.  And, on a small field - there is no Rule #2!  Could it possibly be any easier?

See?  It's not that complicated.

You could almost live your whole life by simply applying Rule #1 - throw it directly to a base - provided you throw it to the correct base.  And that's the difference between an average outfielder and a great outfielder.  Which are you?