Fly Ball Meaning in Softball

A fly ball is a ball hit high into the air toward the outfield grass. These hits stay in the air long enough for a fielder to get underneath. If a defender catches the ball before it hits the ground, the batter is out. Runners must wait for the catch before they can try to move to the next base. A batter hits a towering fly ball toward the left field fence line. The left fielder tracks the ball and catches it for the second out. This type of hit is common when a batter swings slightly under the ball. Outfielders practice judging the wind to catch these balls with high accuracy and speed. A deep fly ball can often score a runner through a sacrifice tag play.