If there is a runner on base who tries to steal, the catcher is the one who has to catch that fastball or ball in the dirt and then jump up to make an accurate throw to try and nab them. Nothing saps your strength, produces more sustainable injuries, and/or shortens a player's career like donning the tools of ignorance. Plus, these spend most of the game moving in and out of the squatting position which is very hard on legs and knees, particularly since catchers do it all while wearing the heaviest protective equipment of any position. He also has to watch out for any players trying to steal bases. All that said, the catcher is considered to be the most difficult position to play in baseball. The batting team is called the offensive side, and the fielding team is called the defensive or defending side. Performed badly, it can ruin your bat. 1. Some exceptions to this rule are; excessive pitch stress if your arm muscles have not finished growing, and pitches were []. Who knows? This is considered not just a physically demanding position, but mentally stressful too, because a pitcher can really win the game if he pitches well enough. The role of a shortstop involves being agile enough to cover a lot of ground in the infield while fielding balls hit at varying speeds and angles. Moving on, we have one of those positions where you either love it or hate it catcher. With the majority of batters swinging from the right side of home plate, third basemen was prime targets for line drives and one hoppers zipped off the bat of batters standing 90 feet away. Privacy Policy & Terms and Conditions. This is one of the most physically demanding positions on your body, depending on whether youre a starter or a reliever. Step 2: Defensive Skills he must be quick and ready to cover both second or third base if needed. This may sound simple, but the first baseman is not an easy position. Besides, among nine positions, the pitcher has the highest risk of getting injuries. 3. Second base is often considered to be the least difficult to play of all the infield positions. Baseball is one of the most popular team sports in the world. Baseball players can choose from three simple positions to play in the game: pitcher, infielder, and second baseman. They provide much-needed backbone potency within any professional-level baseball setup since their consistently good performances directly affect chances for winning games making this by far the toughest position to excel in- it requires incredible flexibility/core strength/endurance levels along with advanced knowledge regarding pitch techniques and strategies even beyond just being a power pitcher- without them really none chances count for nothing! 8. Out of all three, the left and center field sees the most action while the right field sees little. of these tough positions, field was the most challenging one for players, journey of exploring and analyzing each position, baseball position in terms of all-around performance, baseball setup since their consistently good performances, field while fielding balls hit at varying speeds, game that requires both strategy and skill, ultimately determines whether your team will score, understanding we can fully appreciate what makes baseball, essential defensive plays likes steals & double-plays along with positioning, players working harmoniously together to achieve, Master the Art of Sliding in Baseball: A Personal Story, 5 Tips, and Key Stats [How to Teach Sliding], 10 Proven Techniques: How to Teach a Kid to Throw a Baseball [Expert Tips for Parents and Coaches], Mastering the Art of Spitting: A Baseball Players Guide [Tips, Tricks, and Stats on How to Spit Like a Pro], Unlocking the Secrets of Baseball Box Scores: A Step-by-Step Guide [with Stats and Stories] for Fans and Beginners, Mastering Pickle Baseball: A Step-by-Step Guide [with Stats and Tips] for Beginners and Pros on How to Play. CHART: All Nine Baseball Position Numbers Below is a standard baseball position chart that shows the number for each position. The third baseman doesnt cover the area as large as some of the previously mentioned positions but is still essential as they protect against extra balls along the third base and react to soft balls or bunts that make it past the mound. Only then can the catcher call the right shots. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Second Base And what about the third baseman in the hot corner, who barely gets time to rest? Browser Not Supported. This requires physical strength as well as mental toughness. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. The second key area of focus should be defensive skills; this includes an understanding of how challenging it might be for each player to master their respective positions defensively. For the record I primarily Pitched and played short through High School, so thats the extent of my first hand knowledge. While they dont need a canon of an arm, left fielders still need decent throwing abilities even though they will rarely throw long to the first base. Similar to the center field and left field, the right field also needs a great arm. From pitching to catching and infielders to outfielders- each position comes with its own unique set of challenges that require some combination of agility, mental resilience, hard work and dedication. This involves knowledge of pitch selection based on opposing hitters strengths against certain pitches, scouting reports and game situations. Center fielders must have great speed and agility, making quick decisions on fly balls hit their way while also having an exceptional throwing arm. The pitcher is one of the most difficult positions to play. A good pitcher must be able to read opposing batters by recognizing their weaknesses and strengths in order to make their pitches fit accordingly. Scared of hard slides by the opposition? Well talk about the responsibilities and level of difficulty for each position in a bit so you can decide for yourself, but first, are you aware of the basics? the tricky knuckleball? That also means that, for me, even though someone like a first basemen might not be the greatest athlete, they still have a lot of difficulty in front of them. 1-866-321-2287. He calls the game or he is the one calling the shots. However, some players practice being ambidextrous when playing baseball. This site is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. A lot of times a more athletic shortstop will make crucial plays in this area of the field. Did I mention every single play starts with them? They see plenty of action in every game and cover more areas on the field than any other player. Its no surprise that catcher tops our list of tough positions. This is because right-handed hitters hit the ball this way a lot. That's pretty good -- third base at the top and left field on the bottom makes a ton of sense -- but catcher being ranked so high doesn't feel right. So, even though the third baseman doesnt need to be the fastest player on the field, he still needs quick feet and impeccable reflexes. In a baseball game, the shortstop has to field almost infield ground balls. Now, it's your turn. And what about all of those different pitches and grips? Pitcher. There are also different types amongst pitches i.e. Because you require speed and strength, shortstop is one of the most difficult positions to master. Relief pitchers play an integral role especially towards end-games where fewer runs can turn into absolute heartbreaks. The pitcher will stand on a mound facing the batter. While it may seem like one of the less nuanced positions, a skillful first baseman must know precisely when to stretch for close plays, properly set themselves up to receives throws in difficult situations, and also prepare well-ahead for covering their spot if teams attempt bunts or swipes. Again, its tough to rank the outfield positions, as many of the best defensive outfielders of all time were right fielders. How useful was this post? Catcher is number two on this list, but can easily be number one. Pitcher The 2 nd hardest position in baseball would be the pitcher. Continue with Recommended Cookies. As an expert in baseball, I can say that ranking the difficulty of positions in the game is a tricky task. USC (35-8, 14-6 SEC) rallied Sunday . The most important positions in baseball, ranked from most to least important, are: 1. However, as the game evolved and strategies changed, catchers have since risen to be regarded as one of the most challenging positions on the field. While the batter/hitter stands in the batters box next to the home plate and tries to hit the ball the pitcher throws at him, his goal is to hit the ball far enough to start running towards the bases, or let other runners advance along the bases before the fielding team can pick the ball and throw it towards a base. 6 Differences Between Baseball And Softball, What Is A Quick Pitch In Baseball? New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Add in extensive gear for protection (which can be heavy and restrictive), and catchers have arguably one of the most demanding jobs on the field. Trea Turner, LAD (3) 3. In addition, pitchers probably invest more effort into practice than anyone else and spend the most time perfecting their craft. The team with the highest score after 9 innings wins, or plays a tiebreaker if theres a tie. First basemen are also involved in almost every bunting play, either receiving the ball from others or fielding the ball themselves, which isnt easy. Pitchers mental toughness: Although physical ability helps pitchers succeed on the mound, their mental toughness is where they distinguish themselves from other positions when it comes down to it. What Does Top or Bottom Mean in Baseball? Just ask a surgeon. And lets not forget about fielding your positionspeaking of Greg Maddux, he has the most Gold Glove awards of anyone at any position with 18. This website provides general information which is offered for educational purposes only, and does not constitute professional, medical, legal, or advice of any kind. 4.Shortstop 3.Center Fielder There are 9 defensive positions in baseball. Step 1: Starting Point Also, the second and third will expect you to cover their base if need be. Meanwhile, if you ever have any baseball bat or softball bat-relatedquestions, give our Bat Experts a call at 866-321-2287. All 9 positions are important in a game. In conclusion, each baseball position has its unique requirements and level of difficulty. Scan this QR code to download the app now. Besides pitchers, no other position is more involved in a game than the catcher. In terms of defensive play baseball goes beyond individual stats an focuses in teamwork making sure each infielder knows their role on double plays versus difficult pop-fly catches requiring all three players communicating pre-pitch so that everyone moves together in such high-pressure moments. some positions are less important than others. These players are tasked with stopping ground balls and making quick decisions under pressure using their hand-eye coordination while remaining aware of runners on base and strategic positioning for double plays or cut off throws. This means analyzing the strength, speed demands of each position. He fields the region around the home plate. As a second baseman, the area you must cover is a bit smaller in comparison, but it is an absolute must that you learn to turn a double play. As an affiliate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. This often involves scooping the balls from the dirt and getting a hold of difficult throws, which is anything but easy. Ranking baseball positions by their difficulty. Its a game that requires both strategy and skill, and it can be difficult to fully appreciate the complexities of different positions. Baseball is often described as a game of inches, and thats certainly true when it comes to the positions players play on the field. Baseball is often referred to as Americas favorite pastime. His supporting leg is above or touches the front of the pitchers plate, but not outside it. And on top of all of that, pitchers have to field their positions, not only handling hard-hit line drives up the middle, but sprinting towards bunts, stopping on a dime, and making an accurate throw to first base. However, no matter what position you play, you still need to practice well and have good skills. of these tough positions yourself!@13. All these factors differ from one position to another, so its almost impossible to quantify how difficult each of them is. All of that, and we havent even talked about what happens before and after the pitch. For many, this is the most difficult position, mainly because its extremely physically demanding and highly stressful. Technically, a great pitcher could win a game without any of his fielders touching the ball if he or she was pitching well enough. We and our partners share information on your use of this website to help improve your experience. Pitcher The pitcher position is the most important position on the diamond. It often surprises fans of baseball that a lot of their favorite players dont live in the city they call home (at least when they are on the field, anyway). This guy fields the area near first base. Then even though the second base isnt the position for you, it is certainly a contender for hardest position. They may have first dibs at catching balls hit to their side of the field, but theyre also responsible for scooping low throws from infielders and catching ground balls or hard-hit line drives that are just about out of reach. I hope my article could help to answer your questions. The third baseman needs to make accurate and powerful throws to prevent the runners from scoring points. Each position has separate tasks. Thats due to their ability to strike opposing hitters out, and prevent run-scoring opportunities quickly which can lead to nerve-wracking situations for entire teams towards end of games. Each position on the field requires different strengths. 2022 Baseballtrack.com | All rights reserved. In Little League and even high school, rightfield is a bit easier of a position because most players bat righthanded and pull the ball, which results in fewer putout opportunities for the right fielder. Francisco Lindor, NYM (9) 5. Basically, let's have fun. A majority of their time is spent on the bench rooting on teammates. He stands on the pitchers mound which is located at the center of the infield diamond or baseplates. The third baseman will capture the ball after the batters hit and throw it back to 1st and 2nd base. The first baseman is the person playing in the infield. AGILITY: The ability to change direction quickly. The middle infielders (shortstop and second base) often go hand-in-hand due to some similarities in responsibilities. According to the statistics and the active involvement of each position in a baseball game, the easiest baseball position is the right field. Most people are right-handed. Hopefully, you have known well about the role of each position. Starters throw a ton of pitches per game and relievers have to regularly face high-stress situations. So, second basemen arent typically as athletic as shortstop and can get away with having weaker arm strength (you wont see many of them touted as five tool players), but still not easy to do a lot of what they do. We usually assign our most versatile or powerful player to this position. Centerfielders typically have to cover the most ground of any position, but all three positions have a large area to patrol. The right field is considered as the easiest position in baseball. Ultimate Guide to Orange & Black Sports Teams, As a lifelong baseball fan, one thing I love about the sport is that you can watch every game, every year, and still see something new in many of the innings the unfold. Being at a corner position isnt easy either, as they are positioned closer to the batter than shortstop and second base, and off course the outfielders. As we are all aware, baseball is a complex sport that requires immense skill and expertise. So, they have to be fast, agile, versatile and have a great arm on top of all this. You might find that you will be willing to compromise a bit defensively if that player is a great offensive threat. And since they themselves are the ones other fielders usually throw to, when first basement field a ground ball, they must scamper to the bag to beat the runner, or accurately toss the ball to the pitcher who is covering with a perfectly-timed lead. First Base (Least Difficult) What Does Top or Bottom Mean in Baseball. Because almost all balls are hit by right-handed hitters, the right field has fewer chances to field. Catchers commonly take part in every play of every inning of every game. Baseball is easily among the sports that take the most mental toll on their players. Outfield: You better learn to cover ground as an outfielder and fast. So he has to make many powerful and accurate throws to the home plate. Each position on the field requires a certain level of expertise and athleticism to execute effectively. A lot of votes tend to gravitate towards catcher at first thought, but dont be so sure! Both shortstops and second basemen need quick reflexes combined with excellent footwork because theyre involved in various essential defensive plays likes steals & double-plays along with positioning themselves perfectly when batting or trying to score runs for their team. Not to mention that we all might have different definitions of difficult right? This includes helping the left and right fielders on the balls hit between the positions and backing up their teammates or making the play themselves. They need to be quick-footed and have range to get to a lot of balls either up the middle or to their right in the hole. They returned much of the roster which finished the previous season with a 54-10 overall record and took home the national title. You've probably had this debate before, whether you're a former player, current player, or just love the game. So, while number five on this list, I can easily make an argument for a much higher ranking, but for now we will roll with things here. Cookie Notice So, they must also have a great glove and be able to react quickly, moving the ball along and making accurate throws in order to retire opposing batters. Advertisement The No. But which positions truly stand out as the toughest? Now, if youre one to make the argument that difficult equates to putting your body in harms way, then catcher deserves to be the most difficult position on the list. A supreme understanding of the game is essential, as they practically act as the managers on the field. 2000-2023 Pro Athlete, Inc. 10800 North Pomona Ave, Kansas City, MO 64153. Carlos Correa,. This may come as a surprise for some; however being a first baseman does not mean minimal work this does not always mean its role has lesser importance compared to other plays but there are limited play occurrences at first base which makes it relatively easier than other fielding positions such as catcher or shortstop. But it is still a quite challenging position to play. The catcher has always been the top contender for the hardest position to play, followed by the pitcher, third base, second base, shortstop, and first base. This position is in charge of patrolling the large portion of the outfield and covering for nearby teammates. We get commissions for purchases made through links on this website from Amazon and other third parties. But, keep this in mindthey dont call third base the hot corner for nothing. plus more lefty hitters and righty oppo hitters. So here the second baseman must be very responsive and not get confused. This is the person playing in defense on the right side of the baseball field. The player holding this position often has to stretch his body to pick low pitches out of the dirt. (1:39) Facebook; . SPEED: The ability to move quickly. Which leads us to left field, which still of course requires great skill, but isnt as difficult as the rest of the positions on the diamond. As we all know, the pitcher is tasked to make creative throws such that it tips off the opponent's hitter. In conclusion: Baseball is indeed an intricate play; every player regardless of being a particular kind must put in significant effort if they are looking forward to excelling in their respective positions. Privacy Policy. As they play near the first base, first basemen are in charge of handling throws coming in from other infielders and holding the runners at the first base. (Rules For Batters & Pitchers), Heres How a Professional Softball Players Exercise Routine Benefits an Average Person. (Fastest Pitch On Record!). For all of these reasons, third base is number four on this list in terms of difficulty. The One Pitch You Should Avoid at All Costs: The Surprising Truth About Baseballs Worst Pitch, Find out if youre too old to play baseball and get back in the game! Some people say the hot corner is the toughest position to play. The center fielder also needs great instincts while tracking down long drives towards walls or deep corners of outfield space due to unpredictable ball trajectories off bats delivering unexpected bounces many times over. He has to be alert at every throw, throughout the game. In baseball, all positions are important and contribute to the success or failure of the game. North Greenville Crusaders. Almost all the other positions require the players to have throwing skills. We aim to make a case for each position and then allow you--the readers--to determine the hardest position. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Each position in baseball requires specific skills, certain aspects of athletic ability, and, often, a great knowledge of the game and a high baseball IQ. It involves removing the cap, shaving off the inner bat wall, and then gluing the cap back on. That said, being that they are much closer to first basemen, the second baseman who ventures into the hole to grab a ball should have an easier time getting that ball to first. For fun, the designated hitter will be considered a position too.
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