Denville PAL Girls' Softball

Fielding Fundamentals

Catching a Ball

Players should receive the ball on the midline of the body using two hands to make the catch whenever possible. This reduces the chances of missing the ball and positions the throwing hand to throw more quickly. However, it is sometimes impossible to catch the ball the midline using two hands. In these instances, the player should use the forehand catch or the backhand catch. The forehand catch allows the player to reach for the ball on the on the glove side of the body and the backhand catch allows the player to reach for the ball on the throwing side of the body.

Glove Positioning

The glove should be positioned differently depending on where the ball is in relation to the body. If the ball is caught above the waist, the fingers of both hands should be pointing upward. If the ball is caught below the waist, the fingers of both hands should be pointing downward. As soon as the ball enters the glove, the throwing hand should be used to secure the ball.

Fielding Ground Balls in the Infield

Ready Position – The infield ready position consists of keeping the body low with the feet apart so the player can move quickly in any direction. The feet should be wider than hip-width and the knees should be bent. The player should have the feeling of sitting slightly, and her hands should be close to the ground. Her head should be up and her eyes should be focused on the ball.

Moving to the Ball – The ball is rarely hit in a location where the fielder does not have to move. If the ball is hit slowly, she should charge the ball. If the ball is hit to either side of her, she should either shuffle to the ball or use a cross over step to get to the ball. Players should make every attempt to field the ball on the midline of the body using two hands. If unable to get the body in front of the ball, the forehand catch or the backhand catch should be used.

Preparing to Throw – In one smooth motion, the player should bring the ball up across her body with two hands and back past the shoulder to throw. As the hands reach the throwing shoulder, the player should separate the ball from the glove hand and the glove hand should be moved to point to the target. The player should continue moving her throwing hand back past the shoulder and into position to make the throw. She should take as few steps as necessary to get into position to throw.

Fielding Ground Balls in the Outfield

Outfielders like infielders should approach ground balls head on whenever possible. The outfielder should drop to one knee when fielding routine balls to prevent the ball from getting by. When dropping to one knee, the player should position herself with the ball at the center line of the body and drop to one knee as she is moving down to field the ball. If the ball is hit to either side of the outfielder, she should run laterally in an effort to circle the ball and field it while moving toward the infield.

Receiving the Throw for the Force Out

Proper body positioning is essential for infielders making force outs in the infield. In preparing to receive the throw, the player should remain balanced, and be positioned on the ball side of the base. Her feet should be about hip width apart and her throwing-side heal should be within a few inches of the edge of the base. The player should wait until the throw is made before beginning to stretch for the ball. If the player stretches for the ball before it is thrown, she will not be able to move quickly enough to prevent off line throws from becoming and overthrow. If the throw is significantly off line, the player should leave the base to prevent the ball from becoming an overthrow. The infielder should catch the ball as far out in front of her body as possible. She should place the ball of her throwing-side foot along the inside edge (not on top) of the base and should step toward the throw with her glove-side foot. She should take a large stride toward the ball while remaining balanced enough to make the catch. Both arms should be extended to make the catch with two hands.

Receiving the Throw for the Tag Out

As with the force out, proper body positioning for the tag out is essential. In preparing to receive the throw, the player should remain balanced facing the ball, and should position her feet on opposite sides of the base. Neither foot should be positioned on the side of the bag facing the runner. As the throw arrives, the player should catch the ball with two hands (if possible) and then quickly sweep the glove between the base and the base runner. The throwing hand should hold the glove closed as the tag is made. This will help prevent the ball from being kicked out of the glove. If the throw is significantly off line, the player should leave the base to prevent the ball from becoming an overthrow. If the throw is late and the runner is going to make her turn or advance to the next base, the fielder must step out of the runner’s path to avoid interfering with the runner.

Making the Relay Throw

A relay throw is used when more than one throw is needed to reach the target base from the outfield. The infielder should position herself between and in a straight line with the outfielder and the intended target base. The player covering the target base should help the player performing the relay get into the proper position by yelling left or right as she is setting up. The player covering the target base should also yell cutoff instructions as the ball is arriving for relay. The infielder receiving the relay throw should turn towards the glove hand as she receives the throw to be in good position to make the relay throw.

Fielding Fly Balls

Fielding Position – Whenever possible, the player should position herself directly under the ball to make the catch. The fly ball should be received with two hands thumb to thumb, directly above the forehead. The glove side foot should be staggered slightly ahead of the throwing side foot on the catch.

Dropping Back – A drop step should be used for a ball hit over a fielder’s head. The player should step back with the foot that is on the side that the ball is hit. To execute the drop step, the player should shift her weight onto the foot opposite the ball. The foot on the side of the ball should be raised while rotating the entire body in that direction. The raised foot should be put down facing backward, opposite its starting position. The player should push off the back foot and begin to run back towards the ball. The player should either watch the ball the entire time when running back to the ball or should periodically look back to the ball to remain on course with the ball’s trajectory.