Try to get your players to think of fly balls as thrown balls that just go a little to high. That alone won't ensure all fly balls will be caught, but it will help your players get over the mental block fly balls can cause.

To often in youth softball, coaches think they should put their worst players in the outfield because there aren't many balls hit out there. This is one of the worst things you can do as a coach because it tells young kids that if they are in the outfield they're lousy. How is a young player supposed to believe in themselves if they know right off the bat that you don't believe in them? Coach, don't fall into the trap that so many other coaches do by assuming your worst players should play outfield.

Work with your players on the following Fly Ball Basics and give them a chance to develop this skill and really enjoy playing in the outfield.

The Basics of Catching a Fly Ball

• Line your belly button up with the ball.
• Get your glove up in-line with the ball with your fingers pointing to the sky.
• Catch the ball in front of your head.
• Cover the ball in your glove with your bare hand.