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.
(baseball) The part of a baseball field which is beyond the infield and straight ahead left if you stand on home plate and face the pitcher. (baseball) The defensive position in the outfield in the middle, typically played by a player that can run fast.
Center field is widely recognized as the third most important position on defense, behind both catcher and shortstop. That said, an argument can be made that center field is indeed the toughest position of any to play. It requires more versatility than any other position.
Based on statistics and the position’s active involvement in the game, it’s believed that right field is the easiest baseball position to play. This is the case because of the number of balls hit to right field compared to other positions on the field.
Right Field
This is often considered to be, alongside the left field, the least important position in baseball.
Where to Stand in Center Field?- Center fielders should stand in the outfield, behind second base.
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.
A center fielder must be a well-rounded team player who can stand firm on the ground when needed. He should have a strong arm while being productive at-bat. This position is considered the captain of the outfield, as the center fielder connects with the right and left players in the outfield and lead.
First, center fielders are usually among the fastest guys on the team. That being said, plus speed isn’t always necessary for a center fielder. You can lack some speed when you possess the second aspect of range: a good first step.
Herman Long is the all-time leader in errors committed as a shortstop with 1,070. Long is the only shortstop to commit over 1,000 career errors. Bill Dahlen (975), Germany Smith (973), Tommy Corcoran (961) are the only other shortstops to commit over 900 career errors.
Third Base is the Best Baseball Position:
Because no other position player is closer to the batter, a third baseman must have catlike reflexes, a strong arm and not be afraid of a hard hit ball. Most young hitters are right handed and the good ones pull the ball.
First Baseman (Position #3 on the field chart)
First baseman are the biggest power hitters on a team, and they are typically very big and relatively slow because of this.
Center fielders should stand a little to the left or right of the pitcher’s mound so they can clearly see the ball off of the bat. Standing at this slight angle will allow the center fielder to get a better jump on any ball hit their way.
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.
The center fielder is considered the “captain” of the outfield and typically will take precedence over a corner outfielder if the two are attempting to field the same ball.
The shortstop is the sixth position because they were originally a shallow outfielder. With how light the baseballs were, outfielders needed a cut-off man between the outfield and the infield. When the quality of baseballs improved, the shortstop became an infielder and remained as the 6th position.
Being good at tracking and catching the ball is essential, but outfielders must know their arm strength, how to throw on a line and (most importantly) where to throw the ball. Quickly hitting the cutoff man is as valuable a skill as being able to throw the ball all the way to the base.
Of all outfield positions, the right fielder often has the strongest arm, because they are the farthest from third base.
Highest paid position player in MLB: Mike Trout, outfielder, Los Angeles Angels.
Generally, the left-field is where the worst player on a baseball team will be positioned. Even when the batted ball tends to go to the left side more often, the left fielder’s throwing arm doesn’t need to be so strong, and it’s surrounded by the most skilled players on a team.
Speed: While you don’t have to be the fastest person on the field, you should be pretty fast. Tracking down fly balls requires some speed, but always remember that the center fielder is the captain of the outfield.
For this list, they focused on the positions from a variety of sports that are toughest to play from both a physical and technical standpoint.- 7: All Positions (Water Polo)
6: Goalie (Lacrosse)
5: Scrum-Half (Rugby)
4: Pitcher (Baseball)
3: Quarterback (American Football)
2: Goalie (Hockey)
1: Goalkeeper (Football)
Depending on the situation, however, various fielders can cover any base, and sometimes even an outfielder can cover a base.