The pitcher should be ready to field mis-hits and pop-ups within the diamond as well as any hits
straight back at him. The pitcher should be ready to cover first base when the ball is hit to
the right of the first baseman. When the ball is hit into the outfield the pitcher should
back up the infielders as the ball comes back in. The pitcher is usually well placed to call
the play as the ball is returned from the outfield, telling the cut off man where
(and if) to throw the ball after he receives it. Catcher
Catcher is a common hiding place for a weak fielder but a good catcher is a plus for a team.
The catcher should be ready to catch pop ups behind or immediately in front of the plate and to
gather and throw mis-hits that come to rest just in front of the plate. The catcher should be ready for
both forced and tag plays at the plate. A common play is when the play is on first but
there is a runner on third who will look to come home on a ground ball to the infield.
The catcher should be ready for the throw home from first after the out at first on an infield hit. Just catching pitches cleanly and returning the ball efficiently to the pitcher will help the pace of the game and help the pitcher maintain a good rhythm. Most catchers squat, but they do still need to be ready to field the ball, getting out into the diamond to scoop up mis-hits or moving sideways or backwards to catch pop ups.
First base
First base needs to field the ball when it is hit towards them but the biggest part of their job
is catching throws from other infielders to get the force outs at first.
The fielder must realise that catching the ball is more important than staying on the bag.
If pulled off the base towards home the baseman can often still get the out on a wild throw
by tagging the base runner. That said staying on the base IS important.
The baseman should set up with their throwing side foot on the base so they can stride out to
meet the ball and catch it as quickly as possible. A common mistake is to take the step before the thrower releases the ball.
Hold back until the ball is released so you can move towards where the ball is actually going
rather than heading for where you wanted it to be.
When the ball is hit onto the outfield and there is no play on
first the first base should move into the diamond, watch the batter to make sure they do touch
first on their way past, and be ready to back up play on the other bases.
When the play is on first but there are other base runners first base must anticipate the need
to throw to home or third to prevent the runner(s) advancing after the out is made at first.
Second base and shortstop
Relaying throws from outfield to infield is an important part of both these roles.
If the ball is hit to right field the second baseman goes out to act as the cut off and the
short stop covers second base. If the ball is hit to left field or centre the short stop acts
as the cut off and the baseman covers second. The 'middle infielders' should work as a team.
Both these 'middle' infielders should be ready to back up the corner infielder when a ball
is hit up the line to first or third. The middle infielders are better placed to move across
behind first or third to take pop-ups, it is usually an easier catch for them than for a
back-pedaling first or third base man.
Third base
Right handed batters tend to hit the ball hard through 'hot corner' so the fielder should have quick reactions. The longest throw in the infield is from third to first so a strong arm is an asset. If the third baseman does have a good arm then with runners on first and second and less than two outs the 'third then first' double play can be easier than 'third then second' as the third baseman doesn't have to spin round as far to throw to first and the batter is usually slower to set off running than the runner on first. When a weaker batter comes to the plate the third baseman should field inside the diamond. This can intimidate a nervous batter and it also makes fielding weak infield hits a lot easier.Outfielders
Outielders should play deeper with runners on base than when the bases are empty. With empty bases look for the catch, with base runners look to keep the runners from scoring.Outfielders should back each other up and call loud and early when they intend to field the ball. It is easier to judge the flight of the ball when off to one side so the outfielders on either side of the fielder to whom the ball has been hit can tell them whether to move in or out to field the ball.
When the ball is hit to the opposite side of the diamond or within the infield the outfielders should move in towards the infield so they are in a position to retrieve any wild throws. When returning a fielded ball the outfielder should always throw the ball to a team mate, not just lob the ball back in the general direction of the diamond.
In pro-ball the best corner outfielders play in right field because the throws to third and home are longer than from left field but in softball the strongest outfielders usually play left field because the ball is hit there more often than to right. Outfielders must remember that they still have a role to play when the ball is hit to the opposite side of the field or is live within the infield. They must be ready to tidy up any loose throws and chase down any ball that gets away from the infielders.
