left field

plural left fields

1. countableuncountableball gamesThe part of a baseball field which is beyond the infield and to the left of a person standing on home plate and facing the pitcher.

   The double, by pinch-hitter Ruben Sierra, curved sharply toward foul ground in deep left field but then changed its mind and hit the line instead—a big hit, and a smile at last from the great and enigmatically difficult game.

   2004 May 10, The New Yorker

2. countableuncountableball gamesThe defensive position in the outfield to the left.
3. countablefigurativelyuncountableAn unexpected, bizarre, or unwatched source (especially in the phrases out of left field and from left field).

   Some of her comments really came from left field. I have no idea what she was thinking.

   2 more examples

   There is no serendipity without a flash of insight from left field, an oblique eureka effect.

   2004 September 23, London Review of Books

   There was no shortage of dropped jaws when news came through about the appointment of the recently ennobled Lord Peter Hendy as rail minister. This was certainly a left-field move, taking everyone (perhaps even himself) by surprise.

   2024 July 24, Christian Wolmar, “Rail Minister Hendy has a tough job... but the skills to succeed”, in RAIL, number 1014, page 44

4. countablefigurativelyuncountableAn unusual or unexpected position, or a viewpoint held by very few others in contrast to the majority viewpoint (especially in the phrases out in left field and way out in left field)

   Maybe I am way out in left field with this statement, but I don’t think enough people appreciate their mailmen (ladies).

   1972 January 12, Mail Carrier, One of a Million [pseudonym], “Lady mailman feels she is not appreciated”, in Henry Cantin, editor, Romulus Roman, 80th year, number 2, Belleville, Mich.: Associated Newspapers, →OCLC, page 4, column 5

   1 more example

   Tonne is way out in left field if he thinks a voice writing machine will never be built or that there are no existing prototypes or work being done in this […]

   1960, Journal of business education, volume 35, page 303