How much does speed matter in the outfield??

[davidortizfan]

just wondering what everyone thinks about this subject. how much does speed matter in the outfield? know several people who arent all that fast, and still can go get most balls in the gap. they can just judge balls right off the bat. agree? or not? let me here what you think..

[tigerpride_08]

i think it's important to have some speed but it's more about your first couple of steps and the route you take to the ball...i'm an outfielder and this past couple of years our senior has given tips and he always told me to work my my jumps...

[Guest Orangeboy]

i think it's important to have some speed but it's more about your first couple of steps and the route you take to the ball...i'm an outfielder and this past couple of years our senior has given tips and he always told me to work my my jumps...

Are you talking about the centerfielder?

[tigerpride_08]

yes...he's one of my close buddies and he was always trying to help me out...great player, but will play at our local JC for at least next year...

[Guest Orangeboy]

He'd be a good one to look up to. I was very impressed with him in the Wharton-BC series.

[tigerpride_08]

He'd be a good one to look up to. I was very impressed with him in the Wharton-BC series.

he has a heck of an arm...clocked throwing 90 in the outfield at a combine we went too...and a pretty good stick on him too...

[Guest Orangeboy]

he has a heck of an arm...clocked throwing 90 in the outfield at a combine we went too...and a pretty good stick on him too...

What was his name again?

[tigerpride_08]

Joel Ansley...

[Guest coachhooker]

I will be honest speed makes a big difference in high school in the outfield

[643]

Agree on speed, more so in the highers levels of ball. If you can run , they will teach you the rest.

[40water]

Is this a serious post? How would speed in the outfield not be benificial? You need to go sit in a corner and think about what you just asked.

[Morgan]

jasper will show everybody just how much speed matters in the OF next year

[EAGLE07]

"Speed Kills". 

[davidortizfan]

Is this a serious post? How would speed in the outfield not be benificial? You need to go sit in a corner and think about what you just asked.

i never said speed wasn't beneficial. of coarse it is. but, you dont necessarily need a ton of it to get to balls in the gap.. i've seen several players who weren't all that fast, get to balls in the gap. and then i've seen players with lighting speed that couldn't get to them, just cuz they can't judge a ball near as good..

[figureitout]

i played college baseball in the outfield for 4 years at a nationally ranked NAIA school.  our centerfielder and right fielder were 2 of the slower guys on the team.  but they got great jumps and could catch anything.  speed is definetely a plus but john kruk played the outfield so did pete incavalia.  even some of the best centerfielders today arent that fast, ie jim edmonds, aaron rowand...etc.  so it doesnt matter all that much but is always a plus.  but you can run like the wind and take bad angles and not get good jumps and be terrible out there.

[davidortizfan]

thank you figureitout.. lol

[Gabe]

Speed in the outfield sure doesnt hurt a bit though does it BC fans? Kinda nice have a centerfielder out there who can track down just about anything.

[warfan]

Depends on what kind of pitching you have.  Weak pitching give me speed.  Strong pitching give me the bats.

[homer321]

Agree on speed, more so in the highers levels of ball. If you can run , they will teach you the rest.

[/you can not be taught skills, either your born with them or your not.quote]

[EAGLE07]

Homer...

You can teach skills...it's called practice, work ethic, etc. You can't teach speed.

[homer321]

So your saying that you can turn an average baseball player into an outstanding one? No way will Chris Burke ever be Craig Biggio, thats becuase you can not teach skill. Sorry but your wrong on that one EAGLE.

[EAGLE07]

I agree to disagree.  ;D

[643]

Homer...

You can teach skills...it's called practice, work ethic, etc. You can't teach speed.

I know he wasn't a outfielder but Joe Morgan WAS taught to be a Second baseman thru hrs and hrs of fielding ground balls. I was told by a MLB scout conerning Chip Ambres "We dont care how he hits, we want to see him run" Now I know I'm old and this quote was made while some here were pooping green, BUT some MLB teams still rate speed over other tools.

[besbolbenbedygud]

I know all the pro camps I ever attended.....for outfielders if you did not run under a 6.5 60.........it was "have a nice day, thank you for coming out".........

[40water]

i played college baseball in the outfield for 4 years at a nationally ranked NAIA school.  our centerfielder and right fielder were 2 of the slower guys on the team.  but they got great jumps and could catch anything.  speed is definetely a plus but john kruk played the outfield so did pete incavalia.  even some of the best centerfielders today arent that fast, ie jim edmonds, aaron rowand...etc.  so it doesnt matter all that much but is always a plus.  but you can run like the wind and take bad angles and not get good jumps and be terrible out there.

a nationally ranked NAIA school is like being the smartest kid in a special needs class