Fielders. There are nine defensive positions in baseball called fielders. These positions include the pitcher, catcher, first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, shortstop, left fielder, right fielder, and center fielder.
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.
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.
The Oakland Athletics outfielder is considered by many to sport the best arm in baseball. In 64 games with Triple-A Nashville last season, Laureano racked up 13 outfield assists. In 142 career games with the Athletics to date, he’s totaled 16 assists.
All outfielders have the ability to call off all infielders. The shortstop has the ability to call off all other infielders but not outfielders. If he is moving back into the outfield then he has to give up priority to the outfielder coming in on the ball.
“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.
Right Field
This is often considered to be, alongside the left field, the least important position in baseball.
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.
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.
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.
Center fielders are often considered the “quarterback” of the outfield. They have authority over the rest of the outfield, and with it, the responsibly of patrolling the largest amount of outfield grass. Center fielders are in charge of roaming the expanse of grass between the two other outfielders.
In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the third baseman is assigned the number 5. The third baseman requires good reflexes in reacting to batted balls, as they are often the closest infielder (roughly 90-120 feet) to the batter.
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.
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.
Catcher. The catcher is another defensive position and is also the only one of its kind in the game. The abbreviation for the catcher is simply C.
Being good at tracking and catching the ball is essential, but outfielders must know their arm strength, how to throw on a line and (most importantly) where to throw the ball. Quickly hitting the cutoff man is as valuable a skill as being able to throw the ball all the way to the base.
As a result, first base is not usually perceived to be as physically demanding as other positions. However, it can also be a very hard position to play; a large amount of concentration and timing is required.
As a result, Aroldis Chapman is credited with throwing the fastest pitch in MLB history. On Sept. 24, 2010, Chapman made MLB history. Then a rookie relief pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds, the fireballer unleashed a fastball clocked at 105.1 mph by PITCH/fx. MLB later bumped that up to 105.8 mph.
Pitchers do not catch pop flies. It’s one of the rules. This started innocently enough: the infield has its hierarchy, just like the center fielder outranks his comrades.
AG: Players in the field can block any base as long as they are holding the ball or are in the process of fielding the ball. To do so without those conditions could result in the blocking player being called for obstruction and the base being awarded to the runner.
How do I spot obstruction? - Fielders without the ball often stand on a base or in the base path. Doing so does not make them guilty of obstruction. They’re not obstructing unless a runner’s advance or path is altered.
The Wall Street Journal reporter Jason Turbow wrote: “Judging by his résumé, Craig Breslow is the smartest man in baseball, if not the entire world.” The Sporting News named him the smartest athlete on their top-20 list, in 2010.
First base is the only position where having a left-handed player is preferred. The left-handed first baseman’s glove is on his right hand and that puts him closer to the fielders when a ball is thrown. It also gives him a better angle when it comes to stretching for the ball and picking up errant throws in the dirt.