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.
Position description
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, especially at third base.
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.
Defensive roles
Outfielders have a critical off-ball role as well: backing up the other fielders when a ball is hit or thrown to them. When a ground ball is hit to the left side of the field, the left fielder will run behind the third baseman or shortstop in case the ball gets by them. On bunts, pickoffs and in rundowns, the left fielder backs up or covers third base. Similarly, when a runner is stealing third base, the left fielder will back up the throw from the catcher in case the throw misses third base.
Hall of Fame left fielders
The following are baseball players inducted to the National Baseball Hall of Fame as left fielders:
- Lou Brock
- Jesse Burkett
- Fred Clarke
- Ed Delahanty
- Goose Goslin
- Chick Hafey
- Rickey Henderson
- Monte Irvin
- Joe Kelley
- Ralph Kiner
- Heinie Manush
- Joe Medwick
- Stan Musial
- Jim O'Rourke
- Tim Raines
- Jim Rice
- Al Simmons
- Willie Stargell
- Zack Wheat
- Billy Williams
- Ted Williams
- Carl Yastrzemski
References
See also
- Baseball Hall of Fame
- Gold Glove Award