An interesting game to watch, baseball is filled with hitting, pitching, stolen bases and fielding. Fans enjoy the sport because all player positions are important for teams to be competitive. While on the field, all position players must perform their specific job. Baseball positions cover all areas of the field. There are a total of nine positions on a baseball team.
Pitcher
The pitcher is responsible for throwing the ball to the catcher. When the pitcher throws the ball he is trying to not allow the batter to hit the ball. The pitcher will use speed and accuracy to confuse the batter into making him swing and miss. Pitchers receive signals of what pitch to throw from the catcher. Pitchers that start the game are called starting pitchers. When starting pitchers get fatigued or play poorly, relief pitchers will come into the game and replace the starting pitcher. The pitcher delivers the ball from the pitcher's mound, which is 60 feet and 6 inches from the catcher. The pitcher also must cover first base if the first baseman has to come off the base to field the ball. The pitcher must also cover third base and home plate when the third baseman and catcher have to come of their bases to field the ball.
Catcher
The catcher receives the ball from the pitcher. The catcher is also in charge of blocking wild pitches, playing defense in the infield, throwing to other infielders during stolen base attempts and giving the pitcher signals during the game. The catcher gets the signals from the pitching coach. The catcher, pitching coach and pitcher come up with a game plan about what kind of pitches should be thrown during the game. The catcher will communicate frequently with the pitcher and coach about changing strategy during the game. To protect himself from the ball, the catcher wears special equipment: shin guards, knee pads, chest protector, helmet with face mask and a protective cup.
Infield
The infield is made up of four positions: first baseman, second baseman, short stop and third baseman. All positions are responsible for covering their bases. The short stop and the second baseman share responsibility for covering second base. If the ball is hit between first and second base, the short stop covers second base. If the ball is hit between second and third base, the second baseman must cover second base. All infielders are responsible for fielding the ball, when in their area, and throwing the ball to the base were the base runners are going.
Outfield
The outfield has three positions: left fielder, center fielder and right fielder. The outfielders are responsible for fielding baseballs hit into the outfield, and throwing the ball into the infield. The right fielder is responsible for the right corner of the outfield, the left fielder is responsible for the left corner and the center fielder is responsible for the middle of the outfield.
Designated Hitter
The designated hitter rule is used only in American League baseball. The designated hitter is a player on the team that only hits, and doesn't play an infield or outfield position. The designated hitter will replace the pitcher in the batting order. This rule was created in the American League in 1973. The designated hitter is also used in amateur baseball leagues.
Member Comments