Editing Left fielder

{{Short description|Defensive position in baseball}}
{{redirect|Left field|other uses|Leftfield (disambiguation)}}
{{Refimprove|date=December 2006}}
[[Image:Baseball LF.svg|thumb|right|The position of the left fielder]]

In [[baseball]], a '''left fielder''', abbreviated '''LF''', is an [[outfielder]] who plays defense in '''left field'''. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at [[home plate]] and facing towards the [[pitcher's mound]]. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the left fielder is assigned the number seven.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://baseballtrainingworld.com/understanding-every-baseball-position-and-their-role/|title=Understanding Every Baseball Position and Their Role|website=BaseballTrainingWorld.com|first=Steve|last=Nelson|date=December 4, 2020}}</ref>

==Position description==
[[File:Rickey Henderson and Eddie Murray, 1983.jpg|thumb|right|Hall of fame left fielder [[Rickey Henderson]] attempting a steal. Henderson holds both the single season and career stolen base records. ]]
Of all outfielders, the left fielder often will have the weakest arm, as he generally does not need to throw the ball as far to prevent the advance of any baserunners. The left fielder still requires good fielding and catching skills, and tends to receive more balls than the right fielder because [[right-handed]] hitters tend to "pull" the ball into left field.  The left fielder also backs up [[third baseman|third base]] on pick-off attempts from the [[catcher]] or [[pitcher]] and bunts, when possible. Moreover, when a runner is stealing third base, the left fielder must back up the throw from the catcher. Left fielders must also back up third base when a ball is thrown from right field, and back up center field when a pop fly is hit into the pocket.

== Hall of Fame left fielders==
The following are baseball players inducted to the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame]] as left fielders:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://baseballhall.org/explorer?name=&team=All&induction=All&pos=18&state=All&born%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=&bats=All&throws=All|title=The Hall of Fame members|website=Baseball Hall of Fame|access-date=26 March 2018}}</ref>

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* [[Lou Brock]]
* [[Jesse Burkett]]
* [[Fred Clarke]]
* [[Ed Delahanty]]
* [[Goose Goslin]]
* [[Chick Hafey]]

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* [[Rickey Henderson]]
* [[Monte Irvin]]
* [[Joe Kelley]]
* [[Ralph Kiner]]
* [[Heinie Manush]]
* [[Joe Medwick]]

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* [[Stan Musial]]
* [[Jim O'Rourke (baseball)|Jim O'Rourke]]
* [[Tim Raines]]
* [[Jim Rice]]
* [[Al Simmons]]

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* [[Willie Stargell]]
* [[Zack Wheat]]
* [[Billy Williams (left fielder)|Billy Williams]]
* [[Ted Williams]]
* [[Carl Yastrzemski]]

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==References==
{{reflist}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Baseball}}
* [[Baseball Hall of Fame]]
* [[Gold Glove Award]]

{{Baseball positions}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Left Fielder}}
[[Category:Baseball positions]]
[[Category:Softball]]