Who should play in the outfield corner positions , a right handed thrower in right and a left handed thrower in left or is it vice versa?

by bill
(windsor ont can)

Bill asked: Should a right handed throwing player in the outfield play right and a lefty thrower play left?

I was always told the glove hand in the corners should always be placed closest to the foul line when possible.


Rick answered: Bill, thank you for your question.

It is possible you could gain some advantage by putting a lefty in left, and a righty in right, especially on balls hit to the opposite field, that would slice away from the fielder towards the foul line.

Generally more attention is paid to arm strength of the player in positioning for those corner outfield positions.

As you look defensively at your outfielders, you want your fastest outfielder in center field, as there is much more ground to be covered.

Your want to put your strongest arm in right field, leaving your weakest arm to play left, due to the shorter throws required.

The pics above are of two Diamondback's outfielders, Gerardo Parra who has played all 3 positions; but currently spends most of his time in right field. One major factor is that he has the strongest arm of all their outfielders.

The second pic is of Jason Kubel, who plays left field, again based on having a little less arm strength, in comparison.

All of it can be discarded in a team's effort to get additional hitting power into a line-up, so there generally is no hard and fast rule.

Yours in baseball,

rick