Right fielder facts for kids

The position of the right fielder

A right fielder, often called an RF, is a player in baseball or softball. They play defense in the area known as right field. This part of the field is to the right of a player standing at home plate and looking towards the pitcher's mound. In baseball's numbering system for defensive players, the right fielder is number 9.

What a Right Fielder Does

Right fielders need to cover a lot of ground. They must be fast and react quickly to the ball. They catch fly balls that are hit high or while running. They also stop balls hit along the right field foul line from going past them.

Right fielder Giancarlo Stanton of the New York Yankees, shown here playing for the Miami Marlins.

Right fielders are usually 250 to 300 feet away from home plate. This means they need a strong arm to throw the ball accurately over long distances. Out of all the outfielders, the right fielder often has the strongest arm. This is because they are the farthest from third base.

A right fielder also helps out other players. They back up first base when the catcher or pitcher throws the ball there. They also help with bunted balls. This is because the catcher or first baseman might be busy fielding the ball.

They also back up second base for throws coming from the left side of the field. This includes throws from the shortstop or third base. A right fielder also backs up first base if the first baseman is caught in a rundown between third base and home plate.

Right Field in Little League

In Little League baseball, right field can be a quieter position. Most batters are right-handed. They tend to hit the ball towards left field. This means the left fielder often gets more chances to make plays. In Little League, many batters don't hit the ball far into the outfield. So, the right fielder might not get as much action as other players.

Famous Right Fielders

Many great players who played right field are in the Hall of Fame.

Fictional Right Fielders

• Lucy van Pelt (from the Peanuts comic strip)
• Evelyn Gardner (a character played by Bitty Schram in the movie A League of Their Own)

See also

In Spanish: Jardinero derecho para niños