There are nine standard positions in baseball; they are governed more by experience and traditional practice than by the rules. They are: pitcher, catcher, first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, shortstop, left fielder, center fielder and right fielder.
Pitcher is the most difficult position to play in baseball. Not only does the pitcher have the most important job on the field, which is to get batters out and prevent runs from scoring, but he also has to deal with the immense pressure that accompanies being on the mound.
A catcher and shortstop’s mobility is limited by being left-handed. While a right-handed thrower will naturally be in the position to get the ball where it needs to be, a left-handed thrower’s awkward range of motion and form adds precious milliseconds to a play in a game where every tiny thing counts.
Ichiro has the strongest and most powerful arm of any outfielder in the major leagues today. Runners will not even try to advance extra bases when the ball is in Ichiro’s hands. Ichiro has won a Gold Glove all 10 years that he has been in the major leagues.
Generally, the left-field is where the worst player on a baseball team will be positioned. Even when the batted ball tends to go to the left side more often, the left fielder’s throwing arm doesn’t need to be so strong, and it’s surrounded by the most skilled players on a team.
Based on statistics and the position’s active involvement in the game, it’s believed that right field is the easiest baseball position to play. This is the case because of the number of balls hit to right field compared to other positions on the field.
Right Field
This is often considered to be, alongside the left field, the least important position in baseball.
The shortstop position is between the second base and the third baseman. Its name comes from where it’s located, as it requires the player to stop the short side of the field and act as a cutoff for the left and center fielders. Also seen on box scores and graphics, the shortstop position is labeled SS.
The outfield positions are generally considered to be easier to play than the infield positions and tend to be dominated by good hitters. Center field is usually considered the hardest outfield position.
Catcher - The catcher is the fielder who takes his position back of the home base. First baseman - A defensive fielder who plays on or near the first-base bag. Baserunner - If a batter gets on base, his primary responsibility is to advance to scoring position and score a run for his team.
Polo is another right-handed playing sport and the reason for this is because of safety. Playing left handed was banned In order to avoid the likelihood of a head-on collision between players.
Lefties are ideal for first base because with their glove on their right hand, it makes it easy for them to turn to the base with their glove facing the field. Right-handed first basemen have to take a few extra steps to turn their bodies, which is a disadvantage for them compared to lefties.
“A catcher has to be the smartest player on the field,” said Steve Stone, a White Sox television analyst who worked with dozens during his 11 years as a big-league pitcher. “He has to know the other team’s hitters.
Prince Fielder, 6 feet, 275 pounds, became the game’s strongest man, perhaps carrying the mantle from Mantle to Bo Jackson and others.
Which positions get hit the hardest? A study from Brown University found that in the NFL, running backs are hit the hardest.
The Shortstop
The most demanding position in the infield due to the skills required. The shortstop must have high end ragne, a strong arm and the ability to stand focused on the game and position other fielders. They have responsibilities in cutoffs and covering bases when runners are dancing or trying to steal a base.
The 5 Hole Area
Also called the 5-6 hole, the 5 hole in baseball refers to the area between the shortstop and the third baseman. On the other hand, the 4 hole that is also sometimes called the 3-4 hole is the open space that lies between the first baseman and the second baseman.
The shortstop positions himself between the third baseman and the second-base bag. The shortstop is considered the captain of the infield and takes charge on balls hit in the air as well as communication among infielders.
Definition. A fielder is credited with a putout when he is the fielder who physically records the act of completing an out – whether it be by stepping on the base for a forceout, tagging a runner, catching a batted ball, or catching a third strike.
The Unwritten Rule to not Swing
Generally, the unwritten rule about the 3-0 count states that batters should not swing on a 3-0 pitch when it is late in the game and the batter’s team is up by several runs.
A 3-0 swing is when a batter swings the bat with a count of three balls and no strikes. Most batters take a pitch when the count is 3-0, but some batters have the “green light” to swing on a 3-0 pitch.