How to Be the Best Outfielder in JV

Youth baseball can be incredibly competitive, and the desire to be the best player can be overwhelming. As an outfielder, you need speed, good judgment and a strong arm. There are a number of drills that you can practice to improve your outfielding skills that can be performed with a friend in your spare time.

Instructions

    • 1

      Improve your fielding skills by getting a partner to throw fly balls with. Start by throwing fly balls to each other as accurately as possible, so that you do not have to move more than a few feet at time. Practice calling the ball and using two hands to catch it. Next, stand next or close to your partner and run at an angle away from them as your partner throws the ball past you. Track the ball and try to catch it on the run. Another drill to try is to stand far away from your partner, have them throw a shallow fly ball, forcing you to run in and catch it.

    • 2

      Practice additional fielding skills by working on catching grounders. Have your partner throw the ball hard toward you on the ground, either to the left, right or directly at you. Ideally, you want to catch the ball with your glove planted on the ground, centered between your legs. However, fielding a ground ball on the run is a skill you will need to hone as an outfielder, so try to test the limits of your fielding ability and don't be afraid to dive for a ball or two.

    • 3

      Work on your throwing skills with a partner by practicing cutoff drills. When a ball is in play in the outfield and there is a person on base, the fielding team will typically have a "cut-off man" for the outfield the throw the ball to, so they can relay the ball to whatever base the play is going to be at. Accuracy is essential when throwing to the cut-off man, so practice firing off throws to your partner at distances between 30 and 50 feet.