Catching the Not-So-Routine Fly Ball.

Accent on the fly hail in the sun, the curving ball, and the ball nearing the fence

FROM LITTLE LEAGUE to Big League, every outfielder is expected to be able to catch a fly ball and to throw it with reasonable swiftness and accuracy to the right base. That is pretty much the thrust of their practice routines.

What isn't practiced over and over, or at least enough, are the tougher, but still basically fundamental fly balls, that require a little extra technique -- the fly ball in the sun, the usually hard-hit fly ball curving toward the foul line, and the fly ball nearing the fence.

These different fly balls present a challenge to outfielders of all ages and degrees of experience and should be included in the outfielders' practice menu as soon as they have mastered the routine fly ball.

Ball in the Sun

All of us have seen an outfielder staggering around under a ball coming out of the sun, and ending up with the ball falling to the ground or, even worse, hitting the outfielder on the chest, head, or back. It can be a very tough play, but there are four techniques that can facilitate it.

1. The outfielder should not hesitate to shift his position slightly anytime the sun is directly in line with his view of the hitter. It is certainly better to be a couple of steps "out of position" and be able to see the ball clearly as it comes off the bat, than to be in "perfect position" and not be able to see the ball because of the glare.

Too many outfielders lock into a position -- set up in the same spot for every hitter without regard to the pitcher, the hitter or the position of the sun. (Note: If you are playing behind Randy Johnson, you won't necessarily play the left-handed batters to pull.)

As we have said, if the sun is directly behind the hitter and you cannot see the ball coming off the bat, you had better move your position. A couple of stops off to the side will allow you to see the ball as it is hit and perhaps get a jump on the ball, (P.S. You can't run for a ball you can't see.)

Even after the ball is hit, it may be helpful to move to the side a step or two if the ball is hit directly in line with the sun. The new angle may enable you to pick up the ball and make the catch.

2. The next way to deal with a ball in the sun is to flip down your sunglasses (which every outfielder playing a sun field should be wearing.)

Having sunglasses available and using them are often two different things. Many players don't like to wear sunglasses and never practice with them or even use them in games. Coaches should require the outfielders to wear them in practice, intrasquad games, and regular games until the outfielders become comfortable using them.

The glasses should be worn in the upper position until a ball is hit into the sun and their use is required. The outfielder must then simply tap the bill of his cap or hit the tab on the side of the lens to flip the glasses down. It is a very simple thing to learn. A few practice sessions are all that is needed.

3. Some outfielders prefer to wear standard sunglasses rather than the flip-down variety. These are quite acceptable. They require no special training. You can put them on at the start of the game and leave them on for the entire game or until it clouds up and they are no longer needed.

The main problem with "regular" sunglasses is the cost. Young players see major league outfielders wearing sunglasses and go looking for ones "just like Barry Bonds wears," only to find that the price is just slightly less than that of a Jaguar convertible. Still, you see high school and college outfielders wearing them, so somebody must be willing to pay the price!

4. Sometimes even the use of sunglasses is not enough on balls hit right into the sun. The outfielder must also learn to shade his eyes with his glove whenever the glare is particularly strong.

The glove will provide more shade and it can be kept steady by holding it close to the face rather than by extending the arm.

The outfielder should also practice running with the glove held near the face to provide maximum protection from the sun, and should practice catching the ball with the glove held in that position whenever the sun remains a problem.

The final thing to remember is to keep looking for the ball even if it is right in line with the sun. The ball will often emerge and enable the outfielder to catch it at the last split-second.

Summing up: How many times have you seen an outfielder stagger around after losing a ball in the sun, fling both hands on top of his head, and turning his back to the ball?

Why cover up the head if the glove is in front of the head and face? The outfielder should flip his glasses down, shade his eyes (and protect the face at the same time) with the glove, and keep looking. Maybe the ball will come out of the sun at the last second and enable him to make the catch!

Playing the Curving Ball

Fly balls hit near the foul line will always curve toward the foul line. Golfers will always tell you that balls "slice" toward the opposite-field foul line and "hook" toward the powerfield foul line. The higher and deeper a ball is hit, the more it will curve toward the foul line.

Naturally, the direction and force of a strong wind will either increase or decrease the curve of the ball, but it will always curve toward the foul line.

The left and right fielders must always anticipate the curve of the ball. They should start adjusting immediately rather than run along with the ball and then suddenly discover that it is curving and start thinking, "Uh-oh, I better change direction." By then it may be too late.

The experienced outfielder will over-anticipate the curve of the ball toward the foul line. It's a form of insurance. If he misjudges the extent of the curve, he'll still be able to both slow down and wait for the ball to come to him, or go back slightly and meet the curve.

If he under-anticipates the curve of the ball, he'll have to keep running to catch up to the ball as it curves away from him.

If a ball is hit over the head of the left or right fielder, he should turn in the direction of the foul line and go back for the ball, as it will always curve in that direction. With the outfielder's body facing the foul line (as he goes back) he can keep the ball in view throughout his run.

If he turns away from the foul line as he goes back, he will have to turn toward the foul line as the ball begins to curve and he will momentarily (at least) lose sight of the ball.

Playing the Fence

Outfielders need a lot of practice on this, especially if they play on a field with normal or less than normal dimensions.

On a high fly ball headed for a fence, the outfielder must judge the flight and then run hard to the fence. Once he finds the fence he can turn, relocate the ball, and make any adjustment needed to make the catch.

Many outfielders use the arm nearest the fence to help locate it. Of course, a warning track is also helpful to let the player know he is approaching the fence.

Inexperienced outfielders often are afraid to take their eyes off the ball. They will "tip-toe" toward the fence and "feel" for it cautiously. As a result, they will sometimes fail to catch high fly balls that are not even close to the fence.

A line-drive fly ball to the fence is much more difficult to catch than a high fly ball, as the outfielder will only have time for a glance at the fence before having to relocate the ball. He may thus be unable to get back to the fence and get balanced to make the catch.

It takes a lot of work (and a lot of courage) to run full speed toward a fence. But, with experience and proper practice, it can be accomplished.

Playing a ball off the fence is another skill that requires a lot of work. Many outfielders have trouble with this play because they take their eyes off the ball and look toward the infield too quickly, or because they stop and reach for the ball rather than get directly above the ball to pick it up.

Some outfielders also have trouble getting the throw away quickly and that is usually caused by improper footwork.

When a ball rebounds off the fence to the outfielder's throwing side, he should run to the ball, step past it with his right foot (right-hand thrower), and pick the ball up with his bare hand.

The ball should be directly between the feet and directly under the face when it is picked up. A quick crow-hop to get on balance and get the body moving in the direction of the throw and then an overhand throw will complete the action.

If the ball is hit to the outfielder's glove side, he should go hard to the ball, chop his steps to get balanced turn his back toward home plate, and step past the ball with his right foot (right-handed thrower) in order to get the body directly over the ball.

He should then pick the ball up with his bare hand and make a quick reverse-pivot to turn his body in the direction of the throw. Note: The outfielder must be careful not to turn too far and open up the body too much as he executes the reverse-pivot.

A quick crow-hop and a good overhand throw will complete the play. Care must be taken to get the arm up and to throw overhand, as the reverse-pivot often tends to make the outfielder throw sidearm.

While quickness is important in getting to the rebound and making the throw to the relay man, the outfielder must be sure to use the proper technique in making the play.

Otherwise, he is likely to miss picking up the ball cleanly or will make a poor throw in his haste to get rid of it. Quickness is important, but proper technique is more important.

All of the outfielders should be required to master these skills, but they are particularly important to the left and right fielders, as they are the two outfielders who have to deal with the balls curving toward the foul line.

They are also the players most likely to be looking into the sun in the afternoon. Not too many baseball fields have their sun field in center and since right and left fields have the shortest fence distances, those players have to be most concerned about being able to play a ball hit near the fence.

It could be said that the difference between a "decent" defensive outfielder and an "outstanding" one lies in the ability to make these difficult catches in the outfield.