Baseball requires everyone on the team to do their part, all working together to get as many runs as possible while preventing the other team from scoring. To achieve this, teams have various positions, each with its own job: scoring runs, taking bases, or securing outs. Knowing the different positions on a baseball team allows you to discover which one is most appealing to you and which one might play to your strengths or compensate for your weaknesses.
Batter
The most basic and widely known position on a team, the batter must hit the ball and take one of the three bases; in the best-case scenario, they score a home run. Batters stand a few inches from home plate and take swings at the pitches from the opposing team. They use their best judgment to either make contact with the ball or allow it to pass without hitting it. Batters need to ensure they have the right bat to perform at their best; a bat that’s too heavy or imbalanced will negatively affect batting averages.
Shortstop
The shortstop is an essential role for the infield, taking command of the space between second and third base. Shortstops chase down balls in their territory and throw it to a base for an out. It’s a very active role: those who play shortstop are the unofficial captains of the infield positions. They need to be aware of the balls that come flying, communicating with the other infielders about who needs to catch it and where they should throw it.
Right- and Left-Fielder
Looking at the field from home plate delineates right and left field; left field is between second and third base, and right field is between first and second. The right- and left-fielders need to possess strong throwing arms to send the ball flying from the outfield to the infield. Because of the distance they need to cover, outfielders also need that strength to score outs from the base-runners for the opposing team. The longer it takes to get the ball to the bases, the more time the other team has to score.
Center-Fielder
Just like shortstop is the captain of the infielders, the center-fielder is the captain of the outfielders. They have a lot of ground to cover, having the largest territory out of any of the outfielders. Because of this excess space, they need to be quick on their feet and have strong throwing arms to secure the ball and get it to the basemen. They also need great amounts of stamina to keep up with the needs of center field.
The Position That’s Right for You
Players often need to fill two or more roles on a team. As long as you know the different positions in baseball, you can decide where your strengths lie and what positions you should leave for others. Not everyone will be great at every position, so you need to pick and choose wisely.
