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Amanda Freed: More outfielding tips
February 17, 2009 12:00 PM
By Amanda Freed
Below are some more helpful hints on outfielding from Amanda Freed. Freed played in the outfield for the National Team, Olympic Team, and has played professionally with the Rockford Thunder and in the Japanese Professional League. Before that she was a star at UCLA and Pacifica High School. She has done it all!
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COURTESY OF AMANDA FREED
Amanda Freed pitching for the Rockford Thunder.
Outfield: Don't be Caught Off Guard
One of the biggest mistakes an outfielder can make is being unprepared. We all know that a game, maybe two, might go by without a single ball being hit in our direction. When it is, you want to make sure you are not caught with your head in the clouds, especially when that one ball may be the difference between a win and a loss.
You've got to find a way to get yourself involved in the game every pitch of every inning.
• If possible, know the pitch location. If you have an idea of where the pitch is thrown, you will be able to anticipate where the ball will most likely be hit. If the pitch is inside and you are playing right field, you know to look for a fist-hit rather than a line shot, assuming your pitcher hits her spots Anticipating will make you a step faster on the ball.
• Communicate with your infielders and fellow outfielders. Gather as much information about the situation and hitter as possible. Are you playing on the line? Are you playing up or playing back? Where are the runners? How fast are they? What's the score? Always know your next play.
• Always remember to take care of your responsibilities. Infielder back-up, outfielder back-up, and base back-up. When the ball is in play, you should never be standing still. There is always somewhere to be.
On the national team Coach Rittman used to recite this to us before every game. "Every pitch, of every inning, of every game, you think the ball is coming to you.”
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