left field

noun

1

: the position of the player defending left field

2

: the part of the baseball outfield to the left looking out from the plate

3

a

: a state or position far from the mainstream (as of prevailing opinion)

they were really out in left field with that idea

b

: a source of the unexpected or illogical

that question came out of left field

left fielder noun

Examples of left field in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

He’s been moved around — from second base to shortstop to third base to center field to left field, before finally settling in as our everyday third baseman. —Jim Bowden, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2025

On Thursday, the New York Mets' All-Star shortstop led off the game with a laser of a home run to left field against Washington Nationals starter Mackenzie Gore. —Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025

Ramos led off the game with a home run to left field on a 2-1 fastball below the knees. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025

That proved big as the next batter, Zach Neto, doubled off the base of the wall in left field but was left stranded at second. —Dan Arritt, Oc Register, 19 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for left field

• afield
• airfield
• annealed
• appealed
• brownfield
• coalfield
• concealed
• congealed
• cornfield
• downfield
• goldfield
• hayfield

Kids Definition

left field

noun

1

: the part of the baseball outfield to the left looking out from home plate

2

: the position of the player defending left field

left fielder noun