Snagging a pop fly routine, but challenging

To a man, outfielders insist there’s not much to catching a fly ball. They say it’s a process drilled into their brain and body through hundreds of repetitions and years of practice.

That process, though, is enough to make the heads of the uninitiated spin.

Situational awareness. Reading the batter, the ball and the wind. Actually catching the ball and making a strong, accurate throw to the right spot.

It might look easy, but the truth is there’s a lot that goes into making a fly ball look routine.

“When you have repetitions in practice, it gets easy,” Warren Central senior center fielder Marcus Ragan said. “But you never know, because you have the wind and different factors. It can get difficult at times.”

The difficulty stems largely from the mental side of the game and begins long before the ball is hit. Knowing the batter, the pitch count and scouting report can all give an outfielder an idea of where the ball is headed. That, in turn, allows him to properly position himself and avoid a long run to the ball.

The game situation also comes into play. If there are runners on base, outfielders need to know where they’re going to throw the ball if it comes to them.

Figuring all of that out gives an outfielder an edge, but can be tough to master.

“I just recognize each batter and what they did each at-bat, and keep that in my mind,” said Porters Chapel Academy center fielder Taylor Rushing, a senior and three-starter. “Every pitch I think about what I need to do. If there’s a guy on third you have to hit the cutoff man. I always think two bases in front of the runner.”

Ragan said knowing where the ball needs to go makes things easier while making a play.

“You always have to know where you’re going before the play,” Ragan said. “During the play it gets hectic. You always have to have it in mind before it’s hit to you.”

Each pitch can bring microscopic adjustments to an outfielder’s position. It’s the job of the center fielder to police his teammates and make sure they’re in the right spot.

“Being a center fielder is the leader of the outfield. You have to get the right fielder and left fielder in the right position,” Vicksburg High senior center fielder Tyler Smith said. “The center fielder always has priority. He can call the other guys off. He also has to trust the other outfielders to make the catch.”

The catch, outfielders say, is the easy part. Instinct kicks in and they just react to the ball. Outfielders will always take their first step backward when the ball is hit. It’s easier to make up ground moving forward than backward, and balls hit over their head go for extra bases. Ones hit in front tend to be singles.

That doesn’t mean it’s always easy, though.

Making a play on the ball often involves split-second decisions. Diving can lead to a highlight-reel catch, or a game-breaking extra base hit if they miss. Letting a ball fall in for a hit puts a runner on base but can limit damage.

Knowing which approach to take is key. So is living with it. Although missing a ball can be embarrassing, there’s little time to dwell on the mistake.

“It’s all about effort. As long as you show effort, you’re showing you can get the job done. You miss and it’s tough, but you have to get it next time,” Smith said.

All that goes into catching a fly ball happens in a matter of moments, and then it’s on to the next batter. If they’re able to keep a level head, outfielders insist, it really is routine.

“It’s not real hard. It’s really one of the easiest things you do,” Rushing said. “You just have to stay relaxed. You just have to remember all of your steps.”