The different positions of baseball require different skills and serve certain purposes, which can be broken down into four main categories: infielders, outfielders, catchers and pitchers. Learning about the different positions in baseball can help you understand the game and enjoy watching it. It might even make you a better player.
Infielders
The infielders have two main jobs: to prevent the ball from reaching the outfield and to get batters out at the bases. The infield positions consist of the first, second and third basemen and the shortstop. Players position themselves in the infield to give themselves the greatest chance of stopping a ground ball before it reaches the outfield or of catching a short fly ball, whether fair or foul. Infielders also shift positions depending on where the ball goes in order to put themselves in position to receive the ball to tag a runner out. Infielders must be incredibly athletic and able to cover short distances quickly by diving, jumping and sliding.
Outfielders
Outfielders' main responsibilities include catching long fly balls for outs and retrieving and throwing back balls that reach the outfield. The outfield positions are right field, center field and left field. Outfielders must be athletic enough to cover long distances in a short amount of time. They must also have strong throwing arms to get the ball quickly from the outfield to the bases, sometimes all the way to home plate.
Catcher
Although technically an infielder, the catcher is a unique position that requires its own discussion. Catchers handle the ball on virtually every play of the game. A catcher's main responsibility is to catch the ball after the pitcher throws it, and to work with the pitcher to plan pitches that will work best against the batter at the plate. The catcher is usually regarded as the captain of the infield. He is also responsible for guarding home plate and tagging runners out there. Catchers must be nimble and have quick reflexes to be able to throw out runners attempting to steal bases.
Pitcher
The pitcher is where all the action begins in the game of baseball. The pitcher is responsible for throwing the ball to home plate and using a myriad of different pitches to try and draw strikes on the hitter. Whereas many fielders can usually switch positions with relative ease, pitchers are highly specialized players and often play only this one position. Pitchers must be flexible and have the strongest arm on the team, in order to deliver the ball to the plate in the fastest time possible.
Member Comments