Edmonds Gets a Jump on the Ball Well Before the Start of the Game

TEMPE, Ariz. —  The spectacular diving catch begins long before Angel center fielder Jim Edmonds leaves his feet, extends his glove and soars through the air.

It starts in the clubhouse, when Edmonds looks over scouting reports that show batters’ tendencies, and during batting practice, when he studies how balls come off their bats.

Before the pitcher winds up, Edmonds can gain an edge by knowing what kind of pitch will be delivered--yes, he can sometimes read the catcher’s signs from the outfield--and the location of the pitch by where the catcher sets up.

Then, it’s not only a matter of Edmonds seeing the ball leave the bat. It’s also hearing it.

“You can judge the trajectory of the ball by the noise it makes off the bat in certain stadiums,” Edmonds said. “Sometimes you get fooled, but a lot of times the ball is doing exactly what you thought it would do.”

Because he does not have great speed, the first step Edmonds takes toward a ball is the most important.

“You have to get going in the right direction to make a good play, and part of that is, you have to want to get a good jump,” Edmonds said. “You have to really pay attention, and it takes a lot of concentration.”