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The positions in baseball are primarily defensive. On the offensive side all the players become hitters when it's their turn at bat.


Positions on the baseball field
Source: Ducksters
There are nine players on the defensive team and each has an important role in helping to get outs and to prevent the other team from scoring runs. The nine players are pitcher (P), catcher (C), first base (1B), second base(2B), shortstop(SS), third base(3B), right field(RF), center field(CF), and left field(LF). Of these nine defensive baseball players, only two have locations that are defined by the rules. These are the pitcher and the catcher. The rest of the players can be located most anywhere on the field, however, there are typical locations and names for each position that have become standard over the years (shown above on the field). Players will shift or move around depending on the batter, the pitcher's style, and the game situation.

The defensive baseball positions can be divided into three main categories: 1) the battery 2) infielders 3) outfielders.



The Baseball Battery

The pitcher and the catcher are the two baseball players that make up the battery.

The pitcher is located on the pitching mound in the center of the baseball infield. The pitcher throws or pitches the ball over or near home plate to the catcher. The batter stands in the batters box and tries to hit the baseball. Play starts with the pitcher. Pitchers are the most important player on the defense. All play starts with how well the pitcher can get the batter to miss the baseball. Pitchers try to throw strikes, but also try to throw the baseball where the batter cannot hit it. Pitchers typically have a certain style or type of pitch that they have mastered. Some pitchers try to overpower the batter with fast balls. Other pitchers throw baseballs that curve or drop as to make the batter swing at the baseball in the wrong place. Either way, good pitching is always the best defense. Pitchers also play defense around the mound when a baseball is hit.

The catcher is located behind home plate. The catcher's main role is to catch the baseball when the batter misses or doesn't swing at it. The catcher usually squats down and puts the glove right where the pitcher is trying to throw as to give the pitcher a good target. Catchers usually give signals to the pitcher on where to pitch the ball and the type of pitch to make. Catchers also play defense around home plate and cover home plate for defense.

The Baseball Infielders

There are four players that make up the baseball infield: 1) first baseman 2) second baseman 3) shortstop 4) third baseman. These players shift positions quite often depending on the situation, but in general, the first baseman covers first base and plays just inside first base and a few feet back. The third baseman covers third base and plays just inside third base and a few feet back. The second baseman plays between first and second base usually more towards second base. The shortstop plays between second and third base usually more towards second base. Both the shortstop and second baseman share the roles of covering second base depending on the situation and where the ball is hit.

Each infielder typically has specific skills that help them excel at their specific position. The first baseman needs to be able to stretch out and make catches to get force outs as there are a lot of throws to first base during a baseball game. The second baseman and the shortstop need to be expert fielders as lots of ground balls are usually hit to them during a baseball game. The third baseman needs to have a strong arm as it's a good distance from first to third base.

Baseball Outfielders

The three positions that make up the baseball outfield are the right fielder, center fielder, and left fielder. These players are responsible for catching fly balls as well as running down baseballs that make it through the infield. Any of these positions will benefit from good speed, but typically the center fielder needs to be the fastest runner as they have more area of the field they need to cover. The left fielder needs to be a strong defensive player as a lot of hits go to left field. The right fielder needs a strong arm as they often need to throw out runners going to third base or home plate.

More Baseball Links:

Rules
Baseball Rules
Baseball Field
Equipment
Umpires and Signals
Fair and Foul Balls
Hitting and Pitching Rules
Making an Out
Strikes, Balls, and the Strike Zone
Substitution Rules
Positions
Player Positions
Catcher
Pitcher
First Baseman
Second Baseman
Shortstop
Third Baseman
Outfielders
Strategy
Baseball Strategy
Fielding
Throwing
Hitting
Bunting
Types of Pitches and Grips
Pitching Windup and Stretch
Running the Bases

Biographies
Derek Jeter
Tim Lincecum
Joe Mauer
Albert Pujols
Jackie Robinson
Babe Ruth

Professional Baseball
MLB (Major League Baseball)
List of MLB Teams

Other
Baseball Glossary
Keeping Score
Statistics




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