What Does Each Position Do In Softball?

Competitive softball is a game ruled by pitchers who can throw hard, have an array of pitches and can shut down the opposing offense; however, no pitcher can get the job done without getting help from her defense. The way the defense plays and the positioning of those players can determine the outcome of many games.

Pitcher

The pitcher stands on the pitching rubber and must dictate the pace of the game by firing the ball over the plate. The pitcher must work the ball inside and out as well as up and down in the strike zone. If she has a great fastball, she can overpower hitters. A good pitcher usually tries to fool the hitters with movement, command and control. A pitcher also must field her position well.

Catcher

The catcher must call the pitches the pitcher will throw. This is based on the pitcher's strengths, the batter's weaknesses, the count during the at bat and the score of the game. The catcher also will position the other fielders on defense, advising them to move in or back, left or right. The catcher also must block the plate and tag runners on plays at home.

Infield

The infield is composed of the first baseman, second baseman, shortstop and third baseman. The first baseman must be able to catch the ball when other infielder throw the ball to attempt to retire the batter on a ground ball. The third baseman must have quick reactions because she is close to the batter and might have to stop hard line drives because a majority of the hitters are right handed. She also has to charge bunts and slow rollers. The shortstop needs to have the greatest range and often is the best athlete of all the infielders. She must range deep in the hole to field grounders and throw out the run and needs to be able to give the second baseman accurate throws on potential double plays. The second baseman must convert double plays when she gets the ball from the third baseman, shortstop or pitcher. She must stop every hard hit grounder within her range and get the ball quickly and accurately to the first baseman.

Outfield

The outfield is composed of the left fielder, center fielder and right fielder in fast-pitch softball. The center fielder usually is the most athletic of the group and should be able to range the farthest to track fly balls. The left fielder must be quick to charge ground balls and fire the ball back to the infield. The right fielder often has the strongest arm of all outfielders so she can make key throws to third and home after base hits and sacrifice flies. In slow-pitch softball, an extra fielder usually is place in the outfield. The rules say the extra fielder can go anywhere in fair territory, but that fielder almost is always placed in the outfield.