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Admin
 
CRESTWOOD FAST PITCH ASSOCIATION
Linda M. Madlener
708-597-1940
Fax: 708-597-1526
Linda M. Madlener
13710 S. Lawler Avenue
Crestwood, Illinois
60445
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 Taking the Field |
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Taking the Field
When you play softball on your field, your team is the home team. The home team takes the field first or the top of each inning.
Your coach decides what position on the field you will play. On some teams, the coach rotates the positions so every player eventually plays all positions. On other teams, the coach may decide that certain players are better at one or two positions and create permanent positions for the players.
When you get to your fielding position, time is allowed for you to warm up. Use this time to throw the ball with your teammates to warmup your arm. Pitchers throw a few balls to the catcher, infielders throw the ball between their position and the first base player, and outfielders practice fly balls with each other. The umpire will call "balls in" when it's time to begin play.
There are several times before and during a game when your practicing and warm ups are being closely watched. Who would be interested in watching you warm up or those practice throws you take just before you half of the inning in the field begins? It's the other team's coaches of course.
Many coaches are so good at evaluating the players on other teams by watching them practice that before a game even begins he has determined how strong your pitching, infield and outfield play will be during the game. So anytime you are within view of the other team, practice as if you are actually playing the game. Much of a good team's defense is the mental impression they make on the opposing team. Coaches know that if an opposing team practices hard, is vocal, is confident, is ready to play and is focused, the game will not be easily won.
Before the Pitcher Throws A Ball
Every pitch to the batter could become a hit. Every player in the field must be ready to do their job as soon as the ball is thrown. To make your fielding job easier, try this. Before each pitch, take a look at all bases to know were the other teams runners are standing. Remember what area of the field you are covering just in case the ball is hit. Ask yourself the most important question of all, "If the ball is hit to me, what will I do." When you can answer this question, you can then concentrate on catching the ball if it's hit to you.
What will I do if the ball is hit to me?
First of all, don't forget you are not alone on the field. Your coaches will be talking to you on the field to give you advice and warn you what might happen. Listen carefully to your coach.
Remember it's only a game. If the ball is hit to you and you can't remember where to throw the ball, the best play is to throw the ball back to the pitcher. Your coaches understand, and you will know the next time.
So, while you are waiting for the pitcher to throw the ball think about these possibilities.
The Forced Outs
First, where are the forced outs. A forced out is possible with every hit. A forced out means that a base runner MUST run to the next base to make room for the runner coming from behind. The simpliest forced out happens when there are no runners on any base. If the batter hits the ball, he MUST run to first base. That means, if the ball is hit to you, the force is at first base where you will throw the ball. Throw the ball to the closest base with a forced out. Let's look at the forced out opportunities. You throw the ball to the red colored bases in the picture. (In your softball career you'll discover that there are time when you might through to another base than we are showing here. But, if you start by making these throws you'll be sure of at least one out, and you're team doesn't get to bat unless you make 3 outs when you are in the field.)
Here's the play you will see most often. There is no runner on base, the pitcher throws the ball and it is hit. The play is to field (catch) the ball and throw it immediately to first base to beat the runner. This is a force because the runner must go to first after hitting the ball. Since it is a force play, the person playing first base does not need to touch the runner - but she must have her foot on first base. This is true of all FORCED OUTS at all bases. In this situation, infielders and right field will throw to 1st base. Left field and center field will throw to 2nd base or back to the pitcher to hold the runner to one base (called a single).
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