How to Play Left Field in Softball

Video Transcript

"Hi. My name is Jill Weiss. I'm going to tell you a little bit about how to play left field. Left field is important, because you are always backing up third base. You're backing up second base. You're helping out the centerfielder. And you always want to be moving, just like in center field, you always want to be moving your feet all the time. Make sure that you're not planting your feet. You're always moving, if you have to kind of create a circle. And you want to react to the ball. So you want to make sure that you're paying attention to that batter, and react to the ball, where it's being hit. If you are backing up a play at third; if there's somebody on third base; you always, always every play, no matter if a catcher is throwing down to third or not, you want to be moving to back up that play, in case the ball gets past third base and you have to retrieve it, you have to stop it from getting further past you. So you want to make sure that you're always backing up that play. And do anything you can to stop it. Main thing is, too, is you want to make sure you have good communication with your outfielders. Always make sure that you're communicating. If you're going for a ball, you need to call them off. Calm them off and get it. On a grounder, if there's somebody at third, especially, and you have to throw it all the way home, you need it to gun it overhand. Look it all the way in and gun it home. If you can't get it all the way to home plate, make sure you give them at least a one-hopper. That way, they can field it cleanly, things like that. Communication, that's the biggest thing, and backing up third base and not letting them score. My name is Jill Weiss, and that's just a little about how to play left field."