Outfielders must cover large distances, so speed, instincts and quickness to react to the ball are key. They must be able to catch fly balls above their heads and on the run. They must be able to throw the ball accurately over a long distance to be effective.
As well as the requirements above, the center fielder must be the outfielder who has the best combination of speed and throwing distance. The center fielder "covers more 'grass' than any other player" (see photo) and, most likely, will catch the most fly balls. The position also has the greatest responsibility among the three outfielders for coordinating their play to prevent collisions when converging on a fly ball, and on plays where the center fielder does not make the catch, he must position himself behind the corner outfielder as backup. The center outfielder is the captain of the outfield and has the authority to call off the corner fielders when he has a better chance to catch the ball. Aside from requiring more speed and range, the center field position is slightly easier to field because balls tend to fly on a straight path, rather than curving as they do for the other outfield positions. A center fielder's vision and depth perception is a coveted skill and must be above average. Because the position requires a good arm and fast legs, center field is generally where the team puts its best all-around athletes; as a result, center fielders are often fine hitters as well. Many center fielders are renowned as excellent batters and base runners.
When a base runner is trying to steal second base the center fielder must back up second base on throws from the catcher to second base in case the second baseman misses the catch or it is a bad throw.
^Nelson, Steve (December 4, 2020). "Understanding Every Baseball Position and Their Role". BaseballTrainingWorld.com.
April 14, 2024
center, fielder, center, field, redirects, here, centerfield, centerfield, disambiguation, center, fielder, abbreviated, outfielder, baseball, plays, defense, center, field, baseball, softball, fielding, position, between, left, field, right, field, numbering,. Center field redirects here For Centerfield see Centerfield disambiguation A center fielder abbreviated CF is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field the baseball and softball fielding position between left field and right field In the numbering system used to record defensive plays the center fielder is assigned the number 8 1 The position of the center fielder Contents 1 Position description 2 Hall of Fame center fielders 3 See also 4 ReferencesPosition description editOutfielders must cover large distances so speed instincts and quickness to react to the ball are key They must be able to catch fly balls above their heads and on the run They must be able to throw the ball accurately over a long distance to be effective As well as the requirements above the center fielder must be the outfielder who has the best combination of speed and throwing distance The center fielder covers more grass than any other player see photo and most likely will catch the most fly balls The position also has the greatest responsibility among the three outfielders for coordinating their play to prevent collisions when converging on a fly ball and on plays where the center fielder does not make the catch he must position himself behind the corner outfielder as backup The center outfielder is the captain of the outfield and has the authority to call off the corner fielders when he has a better chance to catch the ball Aside from requiring more speed and range the center field position is slightly easier to field because balls tend to fly on a straight path rather than curving as they do for the other outfield positions A center fielder s vision and depth perception is a coveted skill and must be above average Because the position requires a good arm and fast legs center field is generally where the team puts its best all around athletes as a result center fielders are often fine hitters as well Many center fielders are renowned as excellent batters and base runners nbsp View from center field at Minute Maid Park When a base runner is trying to steal second base the center fielder must back up second base on throws from the catcher to second base in case the second baseman misses the catch or it is a bad throw Hall of Fame center fielders editRichie Ashburn Earl Averill Cool Papa Bell Willard Brown Max Carey Oscar Charleston Ty Cobb Earle Combs Joe DiMaggio Larry Doby Hugh Duffy Ken Griffey Jr Billy Hamilton Pete Hill Mickey Mantle Willie Mays Kirby Puckett Edd Roush Duke Snider Tris Speaker Turkey Stearnes Cristobal Torriente Lloyd Waner Zack Wheat Hack Wilson Robin Yount played over half his games at shortstop See also edit nbsp Baseball portalBaseball Hall of Fame Outfield Baseball positionsReferences edit Nelson Steve December 4 2020 Understanding Every Baseball Position and Their Role BaseballTrainingWorld com Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Center fielder amp oldid 1172353725, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
