(baseball) The defensive position in the outfield in the middle, typically played by a player that can run fast. (idiomatic) A central role in some activity that requires speed. I’d be happy to play center field on this proposal. I can cover a lot of ground.
A good center fielder is someone who is fast, has strong defensive skills, and is a solid hitter. Good center fielders also need excellent vision, as center fielders play further away from home plate than any other defensive position.
A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball and softball fielding position between left field and right field. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the center fielder is assigned the number 8.
Like the shortstop’s responsibilities on the infield, the centerfielder is responsible for covering the most ground of any position in the outfield, making this position one of the harder ones in the game.
A good speed for a 14-year-old in a 60-yard dash is between eight and nine seconds. However, those who are in training for baseball can reach speeds below eight seconds.
Center field is usually considered the hardest outfield position. The centerfielder has a larger area to cover than the other outfielders and the center fielder needs a strong arm to be able to make throws from deep center field to the infield.
Comerica ParkStadiums
Name | Capacity | Distance to center field |
---|---|---|
Comerica Park | 41,083 | 420 feet (128 m) |
Coors Field | 50,144 | 415 feet (126 m) |
Dodger Stadium | 56,000 | 395 feet (120 m) |
Fenway Park | 37,755 | 390 feet (119 m) |
According to Bill James, aside from pitchers and catchers, the most difficult defensive position to play is shortstop, followed by second base, center field, third base, left or right field (depending upon the ballpark), and finally first base as the easiest position.
The shortstop position is between the second base and the third baseman. Its name comes from where it’s located, as it requires the player to stop the short side of the field and act as a cutoff for the left and center fielders. Also seen on box scores and graphics, the shortstop position is labeled SS.
The most demanding position in the infield due to the skills required. The shortstop must have high end ragne, a strong arm and the ability to stand focused on the game and position other fielders. They have responsibilities in cutoffs and covering bases when runners are dancing or trying to steal a base.
Right field has developed a reputation in Little League for being a position where weaker players can be “hidden” from the action. Unlike the Major League level where players routinely hit the ball in all directions and distances, most Little League players do not hit the ball into the outfield on a regular basis.
Home to 1st base.
If you can make it from home to first in 3.93 to 4 seconds, you will be scored a 7 out of 8 – a very good score.
Ichiro has the strongest and most powerful arm of any outfielder in the major leagues today. Runners will not even try to advance extra bases when the ball is in Ichiro’s hands. Ichiro has won a Gold Glove all 10 years that he has been in the major leagues.
While the center fielder is often considered the captain of the outfield, left and right field positions are just as important. Left field vs right field debates are common in baseball circles, mostly concerning which position is more vital and where you can best hide your weaker defender.
Mike TroutThe Shredder 2022 rankings for center field
Rank | The Shredder | Mike Petriello |
---|---|---|
1 | Mike Trout (Angels) | Mike Trout (Angels) |
2 | George Springer (Blue Jays) | Luis Robert (White Sox) |
3 | Byron Buxton (Twins) | George Springer (Blue Jays) |
4 | Bryan Reynolds (Pirates) | Bryan Reynolds (Pirates) |
But the catcher has the most responsibility of any player on the field, eclipsing even that of the pitcher. Being a catcher is the hardest job in baseball.
It’s one of the hardest positions to play on the baseball field: Catchers are constantly beaten up and hit with bats, balls and sometimes players. They have to squat down on their knees for nine or more innings, catching hundreds of pitches of varying speeds, movements and breaks.
The proof is in the numbers.
Rank | SEC | NAME |
---|---|---|
1 | 6.27 | Stoakes, Braedon |
2 | 6.34 | Nunez, Nasim |
3 | 6.35 | McDonald, Kyte |
4 | 6.38 | Donnelly, Mike |
The 60-yard dash is a sprint covering 60 yards (54.86 m). It is primarily run to evaluate the speed and acceleration of American Major League Baseball players.60-yard dash.
colspan=“2”>Athletics 60-yard dash |
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colspan=“2”>World records |
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Women |
55seconds or 19.8 fps. If you are an average 13U runner and don’t get faster, you will reach 1B 4-5 feet behind the average 14U runner. If you are a below average 13U runner, you will reach 1B 6-7 feet behind the average 14U runner.
MLB’s 10 Greatest Left Fielders of All Time- Barry Bonds*
Rickey Henderson.
Carl Yastrzemski.
Manny Ramirez.
Al Simmons. Simmons was simply a beast offensively.
Jim Rice. Rice is one of the greatest Red Sox ever.
Ed Delahanty. Delahanty was one of the first great hitters in the game’s history.
The left fielder still requires good fielding and catching skills, and tends to receive more balls than the right fielder because right-handed hitters tend to “pull” the ball into left field. The left fielder also backs up third base on pick-off attempts from the catcher or pitcher and bunts, when possible.