Without fielders knowing who has the fielding priority to call the other player off, one of two events can happen: 1) a collision between two determined and aggressive players, or 2) the ball dropping between two overcautious and timid players. In either of these situations, a routine fly ball can turn into a costly game changing play. The solution to this dilemma is setting up a system covering all fly balls and pop-ups. The two fielders involved immediately know who has prime responsibility, whose call takes precedence, and who should back away.
Quick Review of Fly Ball Fielding Rules
- Players must aggressively go after all fly balls within their area until someone calls them off of it. They should not assume that someone else will catch it.
- Every fly ball must be called for by a player, no matter how obvious it may be who should catch the ball.
- Wait until the ball starts its decent before calling for it. Calling the ball too soon may lead to a player with a better catching angle backing off the ball.
- Know where the sun is and what type of fly ball can get lost in the sunlight. If an outfielder looses sight of the ball, another player who hustles to back them up may have a different angle on the ball and can make the catch.
- Every fly ball has at least one player backing up the fielder in case the original fielder misjudges the ball, looses it in the sun, or a swirling wind moves the ball away from them.
Fly Ball Fielding Principals
- It is easier for an outfielder to come forward to catch a fly ball than for an infielder to go back because the ball is moving toward the outfield and away from the infield. Also, the outfielder is moving in on the play and will end up in a better throwing position if a base runner is tagging and trying to advance.
- It is easier for a shortstop of circle behind a third baseman or a second baseman to circle behind a first baseman than it is for the corner infielders to go backwards. This is because the middle infielders usually start deeper and have a better angle on the ball.
- It is easier for a first or third baseman to come in on a pop-up rather than for a catcher to go out since the ball is moving toward the infielders and away from the catcher.
- It is easier for a pitcher to catch a shallow pop up than for a catcher to go out to catch a ball moving away from them.
Fly Ball Fielding Priorities (listed highest priority to lowest)
- Center fielder - center field always has the best angle on the ball and can call any fielder off any ball
- Left or Right fielder - left or right field should call off any infielder going out to make the catch
- Shortstop - has priority over all the infielders on balls hit behind the base line between second and third, and over second baseman on balls hit up the middle.
- Second base - has priority over the first baseman on balls hit behind first base
- Third base - has priority over all the infielders, pitcher, and catcher on balls hit in front of the base line
- First base - has priority over second baseman, pitcher, and catcher on a ball hit in front of first to second base line
- Pitcher - has priority over the catcher on shallow pop ups in front of home plate
- Catcher - go after every ball until someone calls you off. The big glove and the starting spot behind the batter put the catcher at a disadvantage to the other fielders when catching fly balls.
Where Are the Trouble Spots
Communication between the fielders on fly balls is important, but a few locations are the field are likely to cause problems. This usually happens when one or two of the fielder's eyes are following the ball and not watching the other players. 
The figure to the right highlights the tweener locations where excellent fielder communication is needed.
- Fly balls into the left center or right center gaps (location A) - both outfielders are running full speed to the same spot on the field with their eyes tracking the ball coming from home plate. In this case, center field has priority over the other outfielder.
- Fly balls just behind the infielders into the shallow part of the outfield (location B) - the infielder turns around and runs out with his eyes following the ball in the air traveling over the infield. In this case, the outfielder has priority over the infielder.
- Fly balls hit just over third or first base (location C) - the corner infielder (first or third) turns and runs backwards while the middle infielder (shortstop or second) runs laterally toward the foul line. In this case, the middle infielder has priority.
- Fly balls hit behind the pitcher's mound (location D) - both middle infielders are moving toward second base. In this case, shortstop has priority over the second baseman
- Foul balls down the first or third baseline (location E) - the corner infielder is running in on the ball, the pitcher is running across the baseline, and the catcher is chasing the ball in flight. In this case, the corner infielder has priority and then the pitcher.
Communication between the fielders is the key to expanding the range in which players can catch the ball. If a player has to peek into the field to find another player, their running speed will slow down and possible loose the ball in flight. Loud "ball, ball, ball" calling and a priority system will expand the fielder's range providing more fly ball outs.
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