Baseball -- with its two teams of nine players each, nine innings and diamond-shaped playing field -- might seem a simple game of hitting, running and scoring. The team that scores the most runs wins the game. The baseball positions function as batters during one half of each inning and as fielders during the other half. Fans and novice players often know how the game is played, and can even name the positions, but with a little effort it is possible to understand the fielding of positions and how each position functions as part of a team's offense and defense strategies.
Step 1
Start with the baseball diamond. The playing field helps you visualize where the players are positioned on the field. The four points of the diamond are home plate and the three bases. The infield is the part of the diamond that is bordered by the four points. The grassy outfield extends past the infield and is bordered by the baselines of the first and third bases. The raised pitcher's mound is in the middle of the diamond's infield. The two foul lines separate foul territory from fair territory and determines whether a hit is fair or foul. The foul poles are at the end of the foul lines to separate foul from fair territory for balls hit over the outfield fence. The player at bat must stay in the batter's box, which is near home plate.
Step 2
List the nine defensive players. When players are not the team at bat, they play the field in defensive positions as infielders or outfielders. Each position is numbered one through nine and are, in order: pitcher; catcher; first, second and third basemen; shortstop; and left, center and right fielders. The offense refers to the team at bat, whose players are called batters.
Step 3
Mark the positions of the defensive infield players on a printed drawing of the baseball diamond or use an interactive tool for understanding the location of the players. The pitcher stands on the pitcher's mound and the catcher stand behind home plate. The first baseman defends the area near the first base line. The second baseman fields plays near the second base line. The third baseman works the third base line and the shortstop fields balls in the area between second and third base and covers second base when the second baseman must field a ball. Infielders attempt to make or assist in outs near their field positions.
Step 4
Add the three outfield positions to your printed copy of the baseball diamond. The left, center and right fielders try to catch balls, which are usually fly or ground balls, in their areas of the outfield.
Step 5
Examine the diamond and the baseball positions while reviewing the strategic placement of the fielders. Each defensive position has a role in stopping the offense team, or the team at bat, from scoring runs or advancing around the bases. For instance, the catcher catches pop-ups, but also blocks home plate access to runners who attempt to score. The first baseman's first task is to stop the batter from reaching first base. Outfielders chase down balls and quickly return the ball to play so other positions can stop the team at bat from scoring. The shortstop and second baseman play important roles in setting up double-plays. The pitcher, who is not limited to pitching, must field ground balls and cover first base when necessary.
Step 6
Watch a baseball game to study how the defensive players field their positions, assist team members and attempt to function as a unit.
Tips and Warnings
- Major League Baseball's website provides an interactive baseball diamond that allows you to roll over each position to reveal more information. The abbreviations used for the baseball positions are C, P, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, LF, CF and RF.
Things You'll Need
- Baseball damond drawing
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