Positions
Pitcher
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Pitcher is the person who pitches the ball - simple ;)
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Once the ball has been pitched though, the pitcher should be prepared for
the ball to be hit back at them
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Pitcher also backs up the majority of the bases i.e. stand about five feet
behind the base player when a throw is coming in...
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If the ball is hit to first base, pitcher will usually take the base.
Catcher
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Catcher is the person who receives the pitch if the batter doesn't hit
it.
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Catcher is responsible for homeplate - any force plays or tags at home
should be made by the catcher, not the pitcher.
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Catcher also fields all the one foot power drives :)
First Base
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First base fields about six feet away from first base until the ball is
hit.
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Once the ball is hit, if the ball is hit away from first base, first base
needs to take the base and be ready to receive the throw.
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If the ball is hit to the outfield though and there will be no play to
first, first base should not take the base, since doing so will only impede
the runner and be dangerous.
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The general rule for any base player is "ball before base" If the
ball is hit in first base's direction, first should get the ball and let
someone else (usually pitcher) get the base. If the throw is nowhere
near the base, first should step off the base and take the ball, since
anything going past first base will generally be an overthrow, dead ball
and two base award...
Second Base
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Second base fields about halfway down the line, NOT next to the base.
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Second is responsible for second base if the ball is hit left. If
the ball is hit right, second should be trying to field the ball and short-stop
takes second base.
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Any outfield hits to right field, second will take the cut
Third Base
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Third base is responsible for third base and and balls which s/he can
field. This is sometimes an inhibiting position to field with short stop
so close but it is important to field whatever you can - have faith in
yourself...
Short Stop
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Okay, team hot shot and egomaniac (just kidding). However, short
stop does tend to be the guy with the rocket arm... Short stop is
responsible for the area not covered by third base on the left side of
the infield.
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Short stop is in charge on the infield and controls the team by calling
the plays.
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Short stop takes the cuts for outfield hits to the left side of the field.
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Short stop takes second base if the ball is hit to the right and second
is fielding the ball or going for the cut.
Left Field
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This outfielder generally takes care of most of the left side of the outfield
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If necessary, left field might come towards the infield to cover third
base
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Also covers any fly balls hit to left centre
Centre Left
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Stands in the centre left and covers the potential infield errors where
possible
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Covers any fly balls hit to left field or centre right
Centre Right
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Stands in centre right and needs to cover the throws to second base, which
are often not the most accurate of throws...
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Covers any fly balls hit to centre left or right field
Right Field
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Stands in right field and if close enough in might decide to cover the
throws to first
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Also covers any fly balls hit to centre right
This list is not definitive however, and you'll find that as you play,
it's probably a little more involved than this but this is to give a general
idea of who is meant to do what.
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