How to Play Outfield in Softball

Determine field positions. Depending on the league you're in, there may be three or four outfield positions to choose from. For a three-outfielder league, there needs to be right, center and left fielders. In four-outfielder leagues, there are right, right-center, left-center and left fielder positions.

Choose your field position from Step 1. If you've got a great throwing arm, playing right field may be your best choice because you're going to need to make the throw to third base and home plate. Center fielders need to have a good range in their throws and also need to field ground balls frequently. Pop flies from right-handed hitters typically head toward left field, so as a left fielder, you need to be a good catcher.

Practice catching fly balls. Regardless of your position in the outfield, you're going to be faced with pop-ups. Stand with your legs spread apart about two feet. When the softball approaches you, raise your glove while keeping your eye on the softball.

Secure the softball. When lining up with the softball to catch it in your glove, have your available hand behind the glove. As soon as you catch the softball, close the glove shut with your extra hand. This way, if you need to immediately throw the ball back to the infield, you're in a better position to reach right into your glove for the softball you just caught.

Participate in a game. You'll become better at playing the outfield in softball the more times you actually play. Practice running up on pop flies, because they're not always going to come directly to you. Try to plant your feet when stopping to catch a ball, because this allows you to throw it right back into the infield.

Keep throwing for perfection. When playing outfield, you never know where you're going to have to throw the ball. If you play left field, you may need to get the ball to the first baseman fast. That is a deep throw, so run through possible scenarios in your practice.

Change field positions as necessary. If you normally play the right field position but catch the ball well, offer to move to the left field. Be open to moving to different positions in the outfield to perfect your skills in the game of softball.

Stay alert. As an outfielder, you need to be aware of where base runners are at all times, as well as how many outs are on the field. Typically, you want to throw the ball in to get out the runner closest to home. But if there's two outs, throw the ball in to get the easiest out and end the inning.