How to Play Center Field

Video Transcript

"Now, I'm standing in center field. If the short stop is the general of the infield, the center fielder is the king of the outfield. He has dominion over the entire outfield. He can call anyone off at any time, including the short stop, the second baseman, the left fielder, or the right fielder. Whatever ball is hit, if the center fielder calls that ball, then everyone else needs to back off and let the center fielder have it. He has the best view of the entire field and also, the most responsibility. He has to cover balls hit deep. He has to cover balls that are hit shallow over the infield; little rockets hit right up the middle between the short stop and the second baseman. He has to back up the right fielder. He has to back up the left fielder. He has to back up the second baseman and the short stop. The center fielder has great deal of responsibility. He also has to watch the runners, such as, where they're moving. If he fields the ball, he needs to make the decision on where to throw it. If a runner's coming into second he needs to make the decision to throw it there. If a runner's trying to score he needs to choose whether or not to throw to second and let that runner score or try to make a play at the plate. He also needs to tell his left and right fielders what they need to do and where they need to throw the ball. So, he, again, needs to be a general, a king, a captain, a playmaker. He has to make plays himself and he also has to tell everyone else what to do in the outfield. He's like a quarterback in football. Those cover the basic responsibilities of a center fielder."