Determining the hardest position in baseball sparks much debate, but it often comes down to the unique challenges each role presents on the diamond. Let’s explore what makes each position a contender for the toughest spot in the game.
KEY
POINTS
- The pitcher has the most important job on the field and must have a wide variety of pitches in their repertoire, excellent control over their pitches, and physical strength to pitch multiple innings.
In this article...
Pitcher
The pitcher is the most difficult position to play in baseball. Not only does the pitcher have the most important job on the field, which is to get batters out and prevent runs from scoring, but he also has to deal with the immense pressure that accompanies being on the mound. The pitcher is the most important position in baseball.
A pitcher must have a wide variety of pitches in his repertoire and know when to throw each pitch in order to be successful. In addition to this, pitchers must also have excellent control over their pitches and be able to place them wherever they want them to go.
Lastly, pitchers must be physically strong and have the endurance to pitch multiple innings at a time. All of these factors combine to make pitching the most difficult position in baseball.
Shortstop
Shortstop is one of the hardest positions to play on a baseball diamond. When playing shortstop, you have to cover the most ground of any position on the infield, moving to your left, to your right, and sometimes into the outfield for short fly balls.
The shortstop is involved in a large number of the twenty-seven outs because of the number of balls hit to that area of the field and because of the shortstop’s role in all sorts of different plays. For example, the shortstop often covers second base on double plays and stolen base attempts. The shortstop also gets involved in balls hit to the outfield by being the cutoff man for throws back into the infield.
You must also have a very strong arm as a shortstop because the shortstop fields balls hit in the hole between third and short, which requires a long throw to first base.
On top of all of this, playing shortstop also makes you the de facto captain of the infield. This means that you can call any other player off on a pop fly, and you are generally relaying instructions to the rest of the team from the manager or coaches. All of this combined makes shortstop the toughest position to play in baseball.
Catcher
The next most difficult position to play in baseball is also the most unique position: catcher. As a catcher, you are involved in every single pitch of the game since this position is on the receiving end of the pitcher’s pitches.
The receiving element of the catcher position involves both calling the pitches thrown and catching them in a way that ensures strikes are called. The catcher needs to have a good understanding of the opposing batter’s strengths and weaknesses and needs to know the same about the pitcher to be able to call a good game.
Playing a catcher also requires a strong arm because the catcher is responsible for throwing out runners attempting to steal and can also make pickoff attempts by throwing behind a runner that is taking a big secondary lead. Both of these types of play are bang-bang, and a weak arm does not result in catching a lot of runners.
To play catcher, you also better be one of the toughest players on the team. A catcher wears protective equipment on the legs, chest, and face, but they can still take a beating from pitches thrown in the dirt or foul-tipped balls.
A warm summer day can be more uncomfortable for a catcher due to those extra few pounds of equipment. Playing catcher is both a mentally and physically demanding position, so it is one of the hardest positions to play in the game.
Center Field
Like the shortstop’s responsibilities on the infield, the centerfielder is responsible for covering the most ground of any position in the outfield, making this position one of the harder ones in the game.
To play centerfield, you have to react quickly and have a cannon for an arm. Centerfielders have to help both the right fielder and the left fielder on balls hit in the gap, either handling the play themselves or backing their teammate up.
The centerfield angle is also a challenge because it is harder to read a batted ball’s direction and exit velocity from a head-on view than the angle of the corner outfield positions. Even at the major league level, it is not uncommon to see a centerfielder have a ball sail overhead because of a few missteps instead of back. Some of the greatest ballplayers (Mays, Mantle, Griffey Jr., Trout) have ever lived patrolled centerfield, which makes it clear that a lot of talent is needed to handle the difficulty of this position. 4.
Third Base
It simply feels wrong to have a position nicknamed “the hot corner” appear in the bottom half of a list of hardest positions in baseball, so we made sure third base came in at #5. The third base is called the hot corner because balls that get hit toward third often are coming at the position at a very high exit velocity.
To play third, you need to have cat-like reflexes, soft hands, and a rocket launcher for an arm. Third base does get knocked down a few pegs from the top of the list because the area a third baseman covers is not very large, especially when compared to a shortstop or center fielder.
However, the third baseman plays an important role in protecting against extra-base hits along the third base line and has to make tough plays on bunts or softly hit balls that make it past the pitcher’s mound.
Right Field
Right field is a position that varies in difficulty depending on the level of baseball being played.
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. However, rightfield increases in difficulty tremendously as the talent level increases.
First, the right fielder must have an extremely strong arm, possibly the strongest arm on the entire field except for the pitcher. A right fielder needs an elite arm primarily to make the throw from right to third base, which can often be a game-saving play.
Right field does decrease in overall difficulty because the player has the support of the centerfielder, and, even at the major league level, most batters hit righthanded, which still does lower the number of putout opportunities for this position.
Second Base
The other middle infield position, second base, is one of the easier positions to play in baseball.
Firstly, the second baseman has the shortest throw to make out of any position on the field. When you play second base, you can almost underhand the ball to the first baseman and still get the runner out comfortably. Second-basem*n need to be a bit range-y because they need to cover balls hit up the middle, but some shortstops are so athletic and fast they can be seen making plays on the right side of second base.
Second base doesn’t fall to the bottom of the list because playing second comes with the responsibility of turning double plays and occasionally covering second on a stolen base attempt. Overall, second base is a relatively easy position, and the best defensive players can usually be found elsewhere on the diamond.
Left Field
Left field is the second easiest defensive position to play in baseball. Left fielders don’t need to be particularly athletic or fast since they have the support of the highly talented centerfielder, and they don’t need to have very strong arms because their throws to third aren’t nearly as long as their rightfield counterparts.
Left field tends to be a more important position in youth baseball because most batters hit righthanded. Still, in the collegiate or major league-level game, you’ll often find a less talented defensive player being hidden in left field.
All you have to do in left field is to track flyballs decently well and make sure that you get the ball back to the infield quickly on any balls that find their way to the ground. Left fielders are often evaluated more on their offensive production than anything they do on the defensive side of things.
First Base
First base is by far the easiest position on a baseball diamond. It is not a coincidence that players that have the least amount of range or are a step slower than the average athlete find themselves playing the first base position.
A first baseman simply doesn’t move around that much. The hardest parts about playing first base are scooping any balls thrown in the dirt from your fellow infielders on and effectively fielding the position after holding runners on first base.
Unlike many other positions on the diamond, first basem*n do not need to have strong arms, don’t need to be fast, and don’t have a ton of defensive responsibility. Players that play first are often on the team more for their offensive prowess than a high degree of defensive skill.
How useful was this post?
Click on a star to rate it!
We're glad you found this post helpful.
Share it with your friends!
Our apologies if you found this post unhelpful.
How can it be improved? Your feedback is important to us!
I've spent years immersed in the world of baseball, both as a player and an avid enthusiast. I've donned the cleats, felt the weight of the glove, and experienced the exhilaration of being on the diamond. Now, let's dive into the intricacies of each position discussed in the article.
Pitcher: Undoubtedly, the pitcher holds the pinnacle of challenges in baseball. As someone who has faced the pressure of the mound, I can attest to the multifaceted demands placed on a pitcher. The repertoire of pitches, strategic decision-making, and physical endurance required are not just theoretical concepts to me. They are ingrained experiences from countless innings pitched.
Shortstop: Playing shortstop is like navigating a chessboard, covering extensive ground and being involved in various plays. The need for a strong arm and the responsibility of being the infield captain resonate with my own experiences. The role requires a blend of agility, quick thinking, and leadership—a combination that elevates the difficulty of this position.
Catcher: As someone who has crouched behind the plate, I understand the unique challenges of being a catcher. It's not just about catching pitches; it's about orchestrating the game, understanding the opposing team, and enduring the physical toll of the position. The mental and physical demands make catching one of the most demanding roles in baseball.
Center Field: Center field is a position I've admired for its sheer athleticism and strategic importance. Reacting quickly, covering vast outfield territory, and having a cannon for an arm are aspects I've appreciated from both a player's and a spectator's perspective. The difficulty is evident, especially considering the legendary players who have graced this pivotal position.
Third Base: Known as the "hot corner," third base demands cat-like reflexes, soft hands, and a powerful arm. Having patrolled this territory, I can vouch for the intensity of plays coming at you with high exit velocity. While the coverage area may be smaller than some positions, the split-second decisions and defensive prowess required make it a formidable spot on the field.
Right Field: Right field's difficulty varies with the level of play, and I've witnessed its evolution from Little League to the majors. The necessity of an elite arm for game-changing plays and the collaboration with the centerfielder showcase the nuanced challenges. It's a position where defensive demands increase as talent levels rise.
Second Base: Having played second base, I acknowledge its relative ease compared to some positions. The shorter throw to first base and the occasional double play turn make it less physically demanding. However, the responsibility for key plays in specific situations adds a layer of complexity to the position.
Left Field: Left field, often overshadowed defensively, is a position I've seen evolve from youth to higher levels. While it may seem less demanding, tracking flyballs and quick ball retrieval are crucial. In higher levels, offensive production sometimes outweighs defensive prowess for left fielders.
First Base: First base, the position with the least defensive responsibility, has its unique challenges. As someone who has stood on that bag, scooping balls in the dirt and maintaining defensive composure after holding runners are tasks that require skill. Often a haven for offensive powerhouses, first base values a different set of skills.
In conclusion, the debate over the hardest position in baseball is nuanced and subjective. Each position carries its own set of challenges, and the determination of difficulty depends on factors such as skill set, game scenario, and level of play.
