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Because of their distance from the rest of the game, outfielders are usually strong throwers. Their job is to catch and throw balls that fly out of the infield, backing up their teammates at the bases.
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The outfielders are positioned outside the area marked by the four bases (infield square), with the right one standing closest to first base. There are three outfielders, and their positions are called right fielder, centre fielder, and left fielder. The third baseman has to catch the hits that land around his or her area, in addition to their most important responsibility - to throw the ball, if they get it, to the catcher before the opponent reaches the home plate.
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This area is the corner diagonally opposite the first base. The remaining base is reserved for the third baseman. This is perhaps the most difficult position on the field. The shortstop has many responsibilities, including catching and fielding, and are very versatile and agile players. In fact, most balls actually do end up there. The shortstop stands between the second and third bases, and is responsible for balls that end up in that area. Second base players are commonly right-handed. The second baseman may catch balls at second base, as well as help the first baseman, or even throw balls to the pitcher to help eliminate the opponent, depending on where the ball ends up. Also known as the second bagger sometimes, he or she does not usually stand at the exact right angle that marks the second base, but more towards the first base instead. You will find the second baseman at the second base, which is positioned opposite the home base across the field. He or she will catch throws at first base in order to prevent the other team from scoring. The first baseman of each team will stand at the first base, to the right of the pitcher. A catcher must also call pitches and communicate the number of outs, strikes, and whatever is going on at the home base to the rest of the players. Helping to throw balls ahead of the batter before he or she can reach the bases, the catcher also catches balls fielded from third base. Positioned in a crouch behind the home plate, the catcher plays a crucial role in helping to gain points.
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Height is an advantage for pitchers, as well as upper body agility and strength. The location of the strike zone, an imaginary area from the chest to just below the knee, depends on the pitcher’s position and stature. The pitcher usually pitches from under the arm and the ball should pass through a strike zone.
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However, once the ball has been hit, the pitcher must ensure that neither foot is on the rubber. The rubber and the mound are all on level ground. He or she must always stand with both feet on the pitcher’s rubber - a rectangular area on the mound - when making the pitch. The pitcher throws, or pitches, the ball from the pitcher’s mound. He or she will then drop the bat and run, attempting to make it to first base before the ball, depending on where the ball lands. The game begins with the batter hitting the ball, thrown by the pitcher, with a bat. The batter competes against the entire opposing team, which will strategise in a bid to prevent the batter from getting to the bases before the ball does. A game of softball involves team members taking turns as batters to play against the other team of fielders, with the latter side made up of a pitcher, a catcher, three basemen, a shortstop, and three outfielders.Ī team sends one batter out to the field at a time.
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