Anoutfielder is a person playing in one of the three defensive positions inbaseball orsoftball, farthest from the batter. These defenders are theleft fielder,^[2] thecenter fielder,^[3] and theright fielder.^[4] As an outfielder, their duty is to catchfly balls and ground balls then to return them to the infield for the out or before the runner advances, if there are any runners on thebases. Outfielders normally play behind the sixdefensive players located in theinfield: thepitcher,catcher,first baseman,second baseman,third baseman, andshortstop. The left fielder and right fielder are named based on their positions relative to the center fielder when looking out fromhome plate, with the left fielder positioned to the left of the center fielder and the right fielder positioned to the right.

By convention, each of the nine defensive positions in baseball are numbered. The outfield positions are 7 (left fielder), 8 (center fielder) and 9 (right fielder). These numbers are shorthand designations useful inbaseball scorekeeping and are not the same as thesquad numbers worn on player uniforms.

Outfielders named to theMLB All-Century Team areHank Aaron,Ty Cobb,Joe DiMaggio,Mickey Mantle,Willie Mays,Stan Musial,Pete Rose,Babe Ruth,Ted Williams,Carl Yastrzemski, andKen Griffey Jr.^[5]

Players can be characterized as eithercorner outfielders or acenter fielder. Corner outfielders are often slower and have less defensive value than thecenter fielder. However, there are some important differences betweenright fielders andleft fielders. Right fielders tend to have the best throwing arms of the outfield so they can make the long throw to third base, but often are not as fast as left fielders. Center fielders are generally the fastest and most athletic of the three, because they have to run the farthest in order to field balls in the gaps and back up the other outfielders when balls are hit to them. Outfielders should also be able to read where the ball may be placed based on what the pitcher is throwing. They can tell what the pitcher is throwing by the middle infielders, second base and short stop, in which they show the numbers the catcher is giving to the pitcher behind their back to determine the pitch and tell where the ball could possibly be hit to.^[6]

Many of the best power hitters in baseball play in theoutfield, where they do not have as constant involvement in fielding plays as other positions, especially before the institution of thedesignated hitter. For example,Babe Ruth was moved frompitcher to the outfield.^[7] Left fielders and right fielders are more often slow power hitters, and center fielders are usually fast base-runners and good defensive players. Center field is often considered the most difficult outfield position, requiring both a good throwing arm and speed. Center fielders on many teams often batlead off.

Players who do not routinely start games, but often substitute as a pinch hitter or defensive replacement in the outfield are referred to asfourth outfielders or evenfifth outfielders. These players can usually play any of the three outfield positions.

Corner outfielders are outfielders who play the corner positions ofright field andleft field. Corner outfielders often have less speed thancenter fielders, but make up for this deficiency with their offensive play.

Left fielders usually handle more chances because right-handed hitters tend to hit balls to the left, and right-handedness is more common in baseball, as in most things, than left-handedness. Many left fielders have the speed to play center field, but lack the throwing ability required.^[8] Right fielders typically have stronger arms, but are frequently (not always) slower and less agile defensively. Right fielders typically need stronger arms than left fielders because the throw from right field to each base (except first base) is longer than the throw from left field to each base; also, becausebaserunners run counterclockwise around the bases, they're usually running away from the right fielder. Many corner outfielders are capable of playing in either right or left field.^[9]

An example of an ultra-fast left fielder isRickey Henderson (Ben Oglivie andLou Brock can fit this description too), whereas the slow-footed but very strong-armedCarl Furillo, "The Reading Rifle", sets a standard for right fielders in the terms specified here.

• Baseball positions

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