Randolph Youth Softball/Baseball Association
Softball Player Positions

RESPONSIBILITIES by POSITION

PITCHER
* Pitch!   Think!
Ball hit to right side, move to cover 1B if necessary
Ball hit to outfield, back up 3B or Home
Call out responsibilities on infield pop-up
Cover home on passed ball

CATCHER
Call out # of outs and forced outs before each batter
Cover home plate
Blocking wild pitches, hustling on passed balls
Know when to throw to a base and when not to throw to a base
Helping pitcher, use a little psychology

FIRST BASE
Any ball hit near you, go for ball - Someone else will cover 1B
Any ball hit to left side, cover 1B
Ball hit to outfield, move to middle of infield and line up for the throw

SECOND BASE
Ground ball to right side, go for ball
If 1st baseman fields ball, continue to 1B to cover base
Any ball hit to left side, cover 2B
Ball hit into outfield:
   left field - cover 2B
   center field - cover 2B
   right field - line up throw to 2B
   Stand half way from ball to base

SHORTSTOP
COMMUNICATION! LEADERSHIP!
Ground ball to left side, go for ball
Any ball hit to right side, cover 2B
Ball hit into outfield:
   right field - cover 2B
   center field - line up throw to 2B
   left field - line up throw to 2B    Stand half way from ball to base
Tell pitcher & second base person who will cover 2B in certain situations
Call out # of outs and forced outs before each batter
Take charge!

THIRD BASE
Ground ball to left side, go for ball
Cut off any ball you can reach
Cover 3B
Be alert whenever a runner reaches 2B


PLAYING "3" OUTFIELDERS

SHORTFIELDER
Shortfielder treated as infielder with responsibility to chase every ball
Most important responsibilities are to get to the ball as quickly as possible, try to keep it in front of you
Get the ball back to the infield as quickly as possible
Back each other up!
Communication prevents collisions!
Rightfielder is partnered with the second base person
Left and center fielders are partnered with the shortstop

LEFT FIELD
Assume any ball hit to left side of infield (grounder or fly) is not going to be caught
Go for fly balls, back up ground balls
Primary responsibility - keep the ball in front of you!
On ball hit to right field, back up 2B

RIGHT FIELD
Assume any ball hit to right side of infield (grounder or fly) is not going to be caught
Go for fly balls, back up ground balls
Primary responsibility - keep the ball in front of you!
On ball hit to left side of infield, RUN to back up 1B
If ball goes through to Left Field, back up 2B

CENTER FIELD
Take charge of outfield
Call out # of outs and forced outs before each batter
EVERY BALL THAT IS HIT TO OUTFIELD IS YOURS!
Back up infielders, help out outfielders


PLAYING "4" OUTFIELDERS

Right fielder and RightCenter fielder are partnered with the second base person
Left fielder and LeftCenter fielder are partnered with the shortstop

LEFT FIELD
Assume any ball hit to left side (grounder or fly) is not going to be caught
Go for fly balls, back up ground balls
Primary responsibility - keep the ball in front of you!
On ball hit to right side, back up 3B

LEFT CENTER FIELD
Assume any ball hit to left side (grounder or fly) is not going to be caught
Go for fly balls, back up ground balls
Primary responsibility - keep the ball in front of you!
On ball hit to right side, back up 2B - Last in line!

RIGHT CENTER FIELD
Assume any ball hit to right side (grounder or fly) is not going to be caught
Go for fly balls, back up ground balls
Primary responsibility - keep the ball in front of you!
On ball hit to left side, back up 2B - Last in line!

RIGHT FIELD
Assume any ball hit to right side (grounder or fly) is not going to be caught
Go for fly balls, back up ground balls
Primary responsibility - keep the ball in front of you!
On ball hit to left side of infield, RUN to back up 1B

Last Updated: Sunday, October 19, 2008