Right fielder

Right fielder

Unreferenced|date=August 2007



thumb|right|The position of the right fielderA right fielder, abbreviated RF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in right field. Right field is the area of the outfield to the right of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the right fielder is assigned the number 9.

Position description

Outfielders must cover large distances, so speed, instincts and quickness to react to the ball are key. They must be able to catch fly balls above their head and on the run, as well as prevent balls hit down the right field foul line from getting past them. Being situated 250–300 feet from home plate, they must be able to throw the ball accurately over a long distance to be effective. Of all outfield positions, the right fielder often has the strongest arm, because they are the farthest from third base. Examples of this are players such as Larry Walker, who are known for their exceptional throwing strength. However, many feel that center fielders should have the strongest arm, since they field more balls than the other two outfielders, and resultingly have more chances to utilize their ability. Hits to right field tend to curve toward the right field foul line, and right fielders must learn to adjust to that.

Amateur players may find it difficult to concentrate on the game, since they are so far from the more continuous action. Emphasizing the correct starting position gives outfield players something to concentrate on at each pitch. The right fielder tends to be a stronger offensive player than defensive, as right-handed batters, which are more common than left-handed ones, tend to pull the ball to left field.

As well as the requirements above, the right fielder backs up first base on all throws from the catcher and pitcher, when possible, and all bunted balls, since the catcher or the first baseman must be available for fielding the ball. The right fielder backs up second base on any ball thrown from the left side of the field, i.e. shortstop, third base, or foul line territory. The right fielder backs up first base when the first baseman is in a run down between 3rd base and home.

Right field has developed a reputation in Little League as being a position where less talented players can be "hidden" without damaging a team's defense in any significant way. Unlike the major league level, where hitters have the ability to drive the ball into the outfield in all directions, most little league batters are only able to pull the ball out of the infield with any regularity. Since most batters are right-handed, this means that the left fielder (and to some extent the center fielder) will have far more opportunities to make a play than the right fielder.

Hall of fame right fielders

*Hank Aaron
*Roberto Clemente
*Sam Crawford
*Kiki Cuyler
*Elmer Flick
*Tony Gwynn
*Harry Heilmann
*Harry Hooper
*Reggie Jackson
*Al Kaline
*Willie Keeler
*King Kelly
*Chuck Klein
*Tommy McCarthy
*Mel Ott
*Sam Rice
*Frank Robinson
*Babe Ruth
*Enos Slaughter
*Sam Thompson
*Paul Waner
*Dave Winfield
*Ross Youngs

Notable current right fielders

*Bobby Abreu
*Rick Ankiel
*J.D. Drew
*Jermaine Dye
*Juan Encarnacion
*Jeff Francoeur
*Kosuke Fukudome
*Brian Giles
*Shawn Green
*Corey Hart (baseball)
*Ken Griffey, Jr.
*Vladimir Guerrero
*Jose Guillen
*Brad Hawpe
*Ryan Church
*Jacque Jones
*Austin Kearns
*Jason Lane
*Nick Markakis
*Kevin Mench
*Matt Murton
*Xavier Nady
*Trot Nixon
*Magglio Ordóñez
*Alex Rios
*Gary Sheffield
*Justin Upton
*Michael Cuddyer
*Jeremy Hermida
*Jayson Werth
*Randy Winn

ee also

* Baseball Hall of Fame
* Gold Glove Award


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • right fielder — noun the person who plays right field • Derivationally related forms: ↑right field • Hypernyms: ↑outfielder * * * noun Etymology: right field + er : the player defending right field in baseball or softball see b …   Useful english dictionary

  • right fielder — noun The outfield defensive player that stands to the right of the field as viewed from home plate. The right fielder nailed the runner at the plate with a perfect throw …   Wiktionary

  • right\ fielder — noun the outfielder in baseball who plays in right field. The batter hit a high fly ball and the right fielder caught it easily …   Словарь американских идиом

  • right fielder — noun see right field …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • right fielder — Baseball. the player whose position is right field. [1865 70, Amer.] * * * …   Universalium

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  • right field — ☆ right field n. Baseball 1. the area in the outfield behind the first and second basemen 2. the defensive position of the outfielder (right fielder) who plays there …   English World dictionary

  • right field — noun 1. the piece of ground in the outfield on the catcher s right • Syn: ↑rightfield, ↑right • Derivationally related forms: ↑right fielder • Hypernyms: ↑tract, ↑piece of land, ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • fielder — (Roget s IV) n. Syn. ball chaser, fly chaser, fly hawk*, gardener*, shagger*. Fielders include: infielder, outfielder, right fielder, left fielder, center fielder, right gardener*, center gardener*, left gardener* …   English dictionary for students

  • right field — {n.} The part of a baseball outfield to the batter s right. * /Left handed batters usually hit to right field./ Compare: CENTER FIELD, LEFT FIELD. [right fielder] {n.} The outfielder in baseball who plays in right field. * /The batter hit a high… …   Dictionary of American idioms

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