Softball Positions Explained: A Guide for Parents

Ever been to a softball game and wondered about the different roles on the field? Maybe your daughter, friend, or niece recently got into softball, and hearing talk of shortstops and center fielders has you curious about how the team truly functions. It can be confusing to understand all of the moving parts involved with softball positions.

You might think all those positions seem like a lot of little rules on a complex, big field. It's normal to want a simple way to understand what happens when the pitcher throws the ball.

• Decoding the Diamond: Softball Positions Explained
  • The Battery: Pitcher and Catcher
  • The Infield: First Base, Second Base, Shortstop, and Third Base
  • The Outfield: Left Fielder, Center Fielder, and Right Fielder
• Softball Positions and Strategy
• FAQs about Softball Positions Explained
  • What are the 9 positions in softball explained?
  • What's the hardest position in softball?
  • Which softball position is the easiest?
  • What is the most important position on the softball field?
• Conclusion

Softball, like its cousin baseball, features nine positions on the field. Each position is designed to address a specific job. Each position is also very crucial.

But, unlike baseball, the bases are closer in softball. This creates faster, higher-pressure action.

The game starts in the pitcher's circle. The pitcher throws the ball toward home plate using a signature underarm, windmill-like throwing technique. This generates maximum velocity with various kinds of softball pitches thrown.

A good pitcher needs more than just arm strength, though. To do it correctly, softball pitchers will vary speeds and throw the ball to both sides of the plate.

Behind home plate sits the catcher. Their task is to not only stop pitches, but they also make the ball appear to be inside the strike zone when it isn't always obvious.

Catchers have a significant role, as their tasks are many. From coordinating defensive plays to making catch throws to second and third base. It's important to not waste any extra movement on this level of the softball field.

Moving to the infield, we first stop at first base. Here, the first baseman fields ground balls, often having to stretch to snag throws while keeping a foot on the bag.

Between first and second base you will find the second baseman. Fast reaction times are helpful for these base players, often needing to make double plays.

Covering the gap between second and third is the shortstop left fielder center. This player needs quick feet, range, and a strong throwing arm. Because the bases are 60 feet apart in softball, and not 90 feet, speed is critical for these base players to be successful at this infield position.

Near third base you will find the 'hot corner.' Third basemen need lighting-fast reflexes, for screaming line drives that commonly head towards this part of the field. Strong defensive skill, such as fielding ground balls, help a third baseman get ready to quickly react to any balls hit.

Below is a quick way to help explain the various softball positions and their assigned numbers.

Softball Position Numbering

Position Number Position:

Beyond the infield dirt lies the outfield. With this part of the softball diamond, there's a large area to cover.

The left fielder usually handles many different types of batted balls. To do so effectively requires them to think quickly and to have communication skills with the other fielders.

The center fielder will often make long runs to catch fly balls. Positioning and efficient coverage skills are extremely valuable for these center fielders. Left fielders and center fielders will play a little more towards the left field foul line. This is due to most of the right-handed hitters typically driving balls hit to that side of the ball field.

The right fielder plays on the right side of the outfield. Because there are normally many right-handed hitters, they need to be prepared for balls hit to their side of the field. This positioning also helps in the event of a base runner being on second or third base.

The right fielder often has to field balls hit on the run. They must also have great power to accurately complete long throws into third base accurately. These throws happen to potentially prevent a run.

In fast-pitch softball, pitchers will make all the throws with the unique 'windmill' technique. Pitchers base all of their pitches on location, velocity, and movement.

Each player must have skills with footwork skills to get into the right position while reading the trajectory of batted balls. These softball players must constantly practice to build a high level of performance, even if they can't play every day.

The 9 softball positions are: pitcher (throws the ball), catcher (catches pitches, coordinates defense), and first baseman (guards first base). Then there is the second baseman (covers area between first and second) and shortstop (covers area between second and third). Next, there is the third baseman (guards third base), left fielder (covers left outfield), center fielder (covers center outfield), and right fielder (covers right outfield).

Many think the catcher is the toughest because catchers work on every play. Catcher requires quick reflexes, quick decision making, and a great strategic understanding of the game. But the 'hardest' role truly comes down to opinion. Shortstop, pitcher, and centerfield are all critical and tough, requiring the use of a strong arm.

The right field is frequently mentioned as the 'easiest' because less balls fly to that area, requiring a long throwing distance. Right Field often gets less action in the beginner level of play, meaning the opposing team's hitters may not achieve hits, resulting in long throws. Still, though, on advanced teams, this position is no longer the easiest with more focus given on skilled athletes at every level and age group.

No position should go un-noticed. However, the pitcher dictates much of how things go by controlling the speed of the pitch, accuracy, and placement of the throw. All positions should have respect for one another on the field, requiring great communication skills.

From the pitcher's duel to acrobatic outfield catches, understanding the nuances is important to seeing a more vivid perspective of the game. Appreciating how the players must practice and perfect their craft over time to develop strong chemistry with their team. Now that we have the different softball positions, we know more about each role and where they are located when fielding ground.