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Encyclopedia > Baseball positions

There are 9 fielding positions in baseball. Each position has an associated number (from 1 to 9) which is used to score putouts. For example: Image File history File links Baseballpositions. ... A view of the playing field at Busch Stadium II St. ... In the game of baseball, the official scorer is a person appointed by the league to record the events on the field and to send this official record of the game back to the league offices. ...

  • If the third baseman fields a ball and throws it to first, it is recorded as a 5-3 out.
  • A double play where the second baseman fields, throws to the shortstop at second base, who throws to the first baseman is recorded as a 4-6-3 double play.

The fielding positions in baseball are the basis for the famous comedy routine Who's On First?, created by the team of Abbott and Costello. In baseball, an out occurs when the defensive team effects any of a number of different events, and the umpire rules a batter or baserunner out. ... After stepping on second base, the fielder throws to first to complete a double play In baseball, a double play (denoted on statistics sheets by DP) is the act of making two outs during the same continuous playing action. ... Whos on First? is a legendary comedy routine made famous by the comedy team of Abbott and Costello, and for which they are arguably now best remembered. ... Abbott and Costello (William (Bud) Abbott, Louis Cristillo) were an American comedy duo whose work in radio, film and television made them one of the most popular and respected teams in comedy history. ...


Roles of fielders

  • P: Pitcher (Position "number" 1). While the primary role of a pitcher is to pitch the ball, he must also be able to field his position. This consists of fielding ground balls and bunts up the middle of the diamond, and covering any base if necessary. Good throwing speed is helpful, but not as important as accuracy, the spot in which you throw the ball. The pitcher must also be ready to catch the ball when it comes into the infield to stop the play.
  • C: Catcher (2). Wears protective equipment: mask, special helmet, shin guards, chest protector. Uses special glove designed as a padded target. He must catch, or at least block, all the pitches to prevent baserunners from advancing, in addition to preventing stolen bases with a strong throwing arm. He must also catch pop-ups into the foul territory behind the baseline, and tag out runners who are attempting to score, while blocking their access to home plate. A catcher must hustle to all balls that get past him, and be ready to jump up and get any slow rollers or bunts in front of home plate and throw to any base quickly.
  • 1B: First Base (3). The first baseman's job, in addition to fielding balls hit in his direction, is primarily to catch throws from the other infielders (2B, 3B and SS) in order to retire the batter and prevent him from getting on base. When a runner is on first base, the first baseman should stand in his regular position, but in front of the runner, so as to not block his base path.
  • 2B: Second Base (4). The second baseman has the important defensive role to field ground balls hit toward him and, if necessary, start a double play. When the ball is hit to the shortstop, the second baseman will help "turn" a double play by stepping on second base, fielding the throw from SS, and throwing to first base, to retire both the batter, and the runner on first. The second baseman should also back-up ground balls to the first baseman, and cover first in the event that a slow roller pulls the first baseman away from first base to make the play. Also, he must backup the shortstop on throws from the catcher on a steal. If a ball is hit into the outfield on the shortstop side of second base, he must cover second base. If the ball is hit on the second baseman side of second base, he must go out for the "relay" throw from the outfielder.
  • 3B: Third Base (5). Third base is known as "The Hot Corner", since most right-handed hitters will tend to hit the ball hard in this direction. The third baseman must be able to field ground balls and throw strongly to any base, as well as cover fly balls in fair and foul territory.
  • SS: Shortstop (6). Shortstops, like the second baseman, must field ground balls and start or turn double plays. In addition, they need a stronger arm as the throw to first base is farther from the shortstop side. The shortstop will cover throws from the catcher to second base when a runner is stealing. Also, when a ball is hit into the outfield on the shortstop side of second base, he is to go out for the "relay" throw from the outfielder. If the ball is hit to the second baseman side of second base, he then must cover second base.
  • LF: Left Field (7), CF: Center Field (8), RF: Right Field (9). The role of the outfielders is to chase down and catch any ball hit into the outfield and, if necessary, make a rapid and accurate return throw, either to a base or to the "cut-off man", an infielder who has moved into a position specifically to make a relay throw. Outfielders should be fast, quick to the ball, and make good and quick throws into the infield.

This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The position of the catcher Catcher is also a general term for a fielder who catches the ball in cricket. ... The position of the first baseman First base redirects here. ... An infielder is a baseball player who plays on the infield, the dirt portion of a baseball diamond between first base and third base. ... The position of the second baseman Second base redirects here. ... The position of the third baseman Third base redirects here. ... The position of the shortstop A shortstop moves to his left, toward the center of the field, to play a ground ball Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. ... The position of the left fielder A left fielder, abbreviated LF, is an outfielder in the sport of baseball who plays defense in left field. ... The position of the center fielder A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field - the baseball fielding position between left field and right field (e. ... The position of the right fielder A right fielder, abbreviated RF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in right field (e. ... An outfielder moves in to catch a fly ball Outfielder is a collective term including left fielder, center fielder, and right fielder, the three positions in baseball farthest from the batter. ...

Other team personnel

New York Yankees manager Joe Torre returning to the dugout (September 2005). ... In the baseball game, the coach is a member of the team at bat stationed near first or third base to signal and direct the runners and batters. ... In baseball, an utility player is a player who can play several different positions. ... David Ortiz is a designated hitter for the Boston Red Sox (2006). ...

See also


  Results from FactBites:
 
directopedia : Directory : Sports : Baseball (8751 words)
Baseball is played between two teams of nine players each on a baseball field, usually under the authority of one or more officials, called umpires.
Although baseball is considered a non-contact sport; a runner may be allowed to make potentially dangerous contact with a fielder as part of an attempt to reach a base, unless that fielder is fielding a batted ball.
Baseball history is full of heroes and goats—men who in the heat of the moment (the "clutch") distinguished themselves with a timely hit or catch, or an untimely strikeout or error.
comparison between cricket and baseball: Information from Answers.com (6546 words)
Baseball players must often throw immediately after catching the struck ball (for example, the double play), while this is unnecessary in cricket due to the ball being "dead" when an "out" is achieved.
Baseball pitchers, by contrast, must use changes in ball speed and movement caused only by air friction and spin to deceive batters, as most pitches which come near touching the ground are ineffectively allowed to pass as balls.
In baseball, though only the positions of pitcher and catcher are prescribed by the rules, fielders' positions are dictated closely by custom, and shifts in fielders' positions according to circumstance are less dramatic; the strike zone and smaller angle of fair territory limit the usefulness of some strategies which cricket makes available to batters.
  More results at FactBites »


 
 

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