Right Field

• Primary responsibility is to try and get to and catch any ball hit in the direction of right field, preferably in the air. Part of this responsibility is to back up the first and second basemen on ground balls hit to the right side of the field. , including the right fielder, always have priority over on fly balls in-between. This means that IF THE RIGHT FIELDER CAN GET TO A FLY BALL he is responsible for "calling off" infielders (1B, 2B) . The will have priority over right fielder on balls hit between them. This means the right fielder must yield if the center fielder calls him off. • Primary throwing responsibilities for the right fielder and any is to "get the lead man." On very rare occasions when a ball is hit to short right field and the base runner is slow, the right fielder can throw to first base, but almost always the right fielder will be throwing ahead of the lead runner. When in doubt, a throw to second base is typically harmless if not beneficial. The right fielder must survey the lead runner and make a millisecond determination on where to throw the ball based upon where he can get the sure out. Right Fielder throwing responsibilities once he gets to a ball (decisions) are as follows (assuming a clean fielded ball):

1. If nobody is on base the right fielder throws to second base (except in the very rare circumstance described above). 2. If there is a man on first the right fielder should try and throw the runner out at second. 3. If there is a man on first and second the right fielder should throw to 3rd base and get the lead runner if possible. If a millisecond decision determines that it is not possible to get the lead runner at 3rd base, then a throw to second base to get an out is acceptable. 4. If the bases are loaded the right fielder should throw the ball to home plate and get the lead runner if possible. If the millisecond decision determines a throw to home is futile, then a throw to second is acceptable to try and get a sure out. *Notice how a throw to second is always a decent option in all the scenarios. 5. If there are stranded base runners (i.e. no sure force outs, man on second alone, man on third alone, man on second and third) the right fielder primary responsibility stays the same. We want to get the lead runner out, or at least prevent the lead runner from advancing. Typically a throw to the base ahead of the lead runner will serve well. With time, a good outfielder will recognize these scenarios and make throws without thinking. They will recognize their own throwing abilities and the speed of the base runners, etc to intuitively make a decision.

*In youth it is up to the coaches and parents to consistently study position scenarios so the player can more efficiently reach the point in time where these decisions are second nature.

If the right fielder cannot get to a ball, there are secondary responsibilities for EVERY play in baseball. It is never acceptable to stand around and do nothing. Here are the secondary responsibilities depending on the scenario:

1. If the ball is hit to right center and the center fielder calls off the right fielder before the right fielder can get to the ball, the right fielder must get behind the center fielder to back him up! 2. If the ball is hit to center field the right fielder must bust his butt to get over there and back up the center fielder. 3. If the ball is hit to left field the right fielder must back up second base. He must position himself so that second base is directly between him and the . 4. If there is a ground ball hit to the left side of the field the right fielder must bust his butt to back up first base. He should position himself so that first base is directly between himself and the thrower so he can catch the ball should the miss it.