--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I always could hit, but fielding I had to…" description: "\"I always could hit, but fielding I had to work at. I took as much pride in fielding as hitting. I became a complete ballplayer. I knew when to take the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab5/george-kell-53581_about_i-always-could-hit-but-fielding-i-had-to_1408498.jpg" --- # I always could hit, but fielding I had to work at. I took… ![“I always could hit, but fielding I had to work at. I took as much pride in fielding as hitting. I became a complete ballplayer. I knew when to take the extra base. I knew about the outfielder hitting the cutoff man. I knew when and how to bunt. I knew when to hit-and-run.” quote by George Kell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab5/george-kell-53581_about_i-always-could-hit-but-fielding-i-had-to_1408498.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab5/george-kell-53581_about_i-always-could-hit-but-fielding-i-had-to_1408498.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab5/george-kell-53581_about_i-always-could-hit-but-fielding-i-had-to_1408498.jpg) > “I always could hit, but fielding I had to work at. I took as much pride in fielding as hitting. I became a complete ballplayer. I knew when to take the extra base. I knew about the outfielder hitting the cutoff man. I knew when and how to bunt. I knew when to hit-and-run.” [George Kell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-kell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He emphasizes that mastering both offense and defense, plus strategic awareness, creates a well‑rounded player. **In simple terms:** Being good at all parts of the game matters. Key Takeaway Develop all skills, not just one. Themes baseball skill development strategy Mood determined proud Type instructional motivational When to use this quote - coaching sessions - player development - team practice - game planning Key Concepts versatility game intelligence situational play Questions to Reflect On - Which skill do you tend to ignore? - How can you balance offense and defense? A Different Perspective Neglecting one aspect can still limit overall performance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [About](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/about/) [Always](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) [Ballplayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ballplayer/) [Ballplayer Knew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ballplayer-knew-4956544/) [Base](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/base/) [Baseball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/baseball/) [Became](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/became/) [Bunt Knew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bunt-knew-4956545/) [Complete](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complete/) [Could](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/could/) [Extra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/extra/) [Extras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/extras/) [Had](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/had/) [Hit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hit/) [Hit Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hit-fielding-4956543/) [Hitting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hitting/) [How](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/how/) [Knew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knew/) [Knew Bunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knew-bunt-4956542/) [Knew Outfielder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knew-outfielder-4956546/) [Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Much](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/much/) [Outfielders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/outfielders/) [Pride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pride/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [Take](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/take/) [Took](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/took/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [The test of an outfielder's skill comes when he has to go against the fence to make a catch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-dimaggio/the-test-of-an-outfielder-s-skill-comes-when-he-has-to-go-against-the/) [Joe DiMaggio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-dimaggio/) > [Listen to yourself, not the noise of the world. 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