Playing in the outfield can be a demanding baseball task. You have to be ready for the ball to come your way on every pitch, despite the possibility that it may not come your way the entire game. If the ball does travel to your area, you have to know exactly how to track it, where any base runners are, what the game situation is, and where to throw the ball after you've caught it.
Fly Balls
The fundamentals of outfield positions are tested during every fly ball. Rarely will a fly ball be hit directly to an outfielder. Outfielders must recognize how far the batted ball is going to travel the instant it leaves the bat, then take the proper angle to catch it.
Sun ball: Baseball is traditionally played in the summertime, with the sun shining high overhead. For this drill, have two fielders practice throwing balls high into the air while facing the sun. Make sure they use the glove to block the sun, while looking below the glove to track the ball.
Get the angle: This drill is designed to teach fielders to take the proper angle on fly balls. With one fielder standing 25 feet away, throw a ball high and diagonally away from him, stressing the importance of getting there before the ball and setting up to throw as he catches it. Have a line of other fielders waiting behind him to practice the same drill.
Communication
A collision in the field not only means a potential injury to one or both players involved, but it might also mean a ball rolling free, and a runner rounding the bases.
Gappers: A ball in the gap will almost always have at least two fielders running after it. One fielder has to call the other off, with the understanding that the called-off fielder will back up the other player in case he misses the ball. Using two pieces of rope to divide the outfield into three zones --- left, center, and right. Throw balls near the ropes, and stress the importance of communication as the fielders get use tracking balls in the gap.
Shallow fly balls: Outfielders always have right of way over infielders on fly balls to the shallow outfield. Infielders should pursue fly balls until they are called off by an outfielder. With a full outfield and infield, throw several shallow balls and stress the importance of yelling "Got it!" early, loudly, and clearly.
Throwing
Before every pitch, an outfielder must have an idea of where he will throw the ball if it is hit his way. When catching the ball, he also must position himself so that he can get rid of the ball as strongly and quickly as possible without injuring his shoulder.
Cut-off drill: Hitting the cut-off man is an important fundamental of playing outfield that should never be overlooked. With at least one runner on base, a full infield and a full outfield of players, hit random mid-deep balls to the outfielders, while shouting out what game situation they will be reacting to. This is also good training for infielders to know where to stand in a cut-off situation.
Gunner: Throwing out a base runner from the outfield can instantly end a rally. Practice with runners on random bases, and a full field of players. Hit various fly balls and ground balls to the outfield, shouting out what game situation players will be reacting to beforehand.
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