Softball positions are the specific roles and responsibilities of each player on a team. Each comes with unique skill requirements and attributes that make it likely for players to succeed in game situations. Coaches have to understand their roster and which players are best suited for each position. 

In developmental phases, specifically youth softball, it’s important for players to try out a variety of positions during each softball game. This allows them to gain a full understanding of the game and get a feel for which positions they like and feel most comfortable at.

Players can still play multiple positions as they progress through more advanced levels of the game. In high school and college, many players land on one position as their primary and don’t stray from that (specifically pitchers and catchers). How many positions a player can succeed at depends on their skills, abilities, and physical traits.

This guide provides a breakdown of each position in softball. Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about softball position numbers and the responsibilities of each. 

Positions In Softball By Number 

There are nine key positions in softball, each indicated by a number. This shorthand number is used for scorekeeping and other official records.  

Below are the position numbers in softball: 

Number	Position
1	Pitcher
2	Catcher
3	First Baseman
4	Second Baseman
5	Third Baseman
6	Shortstop
7	Left Fielder
8	Center Fielder
9	Right Fielder

Softball Position Groups

The primary nine position players in softball are broken down into three position groups: 

• Battery: The duo that controls the flow of the game, made up of the Pitcher (P) and Catcher (C). They’re the only two players guaranteed to be involved in every pitch.
• Infield: Players in the infield field ground balls, catch pop flies, and prevent the ball from going into the outfield. Infield defense is made up of the following positions:
  • First baseman (1B)
  • Second baseman (2B)
  • Third baseman (3B)
  • Shortstop (SS)
• Outfield: Players in the outfield are tasked with catching fly balls hit their way. It’s made up of the following outfield positions:
  • Left fielder (LF)
  • Center fielder (CF)
  • Right fielder (RF)

Softball Field Positions: A Complete Breakdown

Position	Group	Responsibility
Pitcher	Battery	Throw pitches to the batter to start every play
Catcher	Battery	Receives pitches from the pitcher
First Baseman	Infield	Fields the area around first base Receives throws from other infielders
Second Baseman	Infield	Fields the area between first and second base
Third Baseman	Infield	Fields the area around third base
Shortstop	Infield	Fields the area between third and second base
Left Fielder	Outfield	Fields the left third of the outfield
Center Fielder	Outfield	Fields the area between left and right field
Right Fielder	Outfield	Fields the right third of the outfield

We’ll expand upon specific responsibilities and skillsets for each position in the sections below. 

Pitcher

Pitcher is one of the most important positions in softball. The pitcher throws a pitch to the batter to begin every play. Because they contribute to every single play, pitchers control the game’s pace and require mental toughness. For those reasons, it makes sense that the pitcher is position #1 in softball. 

From a technical standpoint, pitchers must have a repeatable athletic delivery for consistent performance. They have to practice and perfect their pitching mechanics so they become second nature.  As they progress into more advanced competition, it’s important to learn different softball pitch types to build a diverse repertoire and keep opposing batters on their toes. 

On the field, pitchers need strong leadership and competitive skills. The defense depends on their pitcher to keep their team in the game. No one is perfect, and even the best pitchers get hit around sometimes. The ability to bounce back from mistakes and hits is essential for success as a pitcher in softball. A pitcher who keeps their head high through failure and doesn’t waiver in confidence exemplifies leadership. 

The best pitchers take their dedication off the field, spending time scouting opponents and themselves. Along with coaches and catchers, pitchers study opposing batters and come up with a tailored game plan for each opponent. During the game, pitchers have to identify tendencies and make adjustments to their plan as the game evolves. 

Catcher

Catcher is equally as important of a position, if not more, than the pitcher in softball. They squat behind home plate and the batter’s box, tasked with catching pitches. Like pitchers, catchers are involved in every pitch and play. They must be physically and mentally tough. Immediately following the pitcher, catcher is position #2 in softball. 

From a physical standpoint, catchers must endure long days of squatting and blocking. Catchers need strong legs to withstand the constant squatting, with quick feet and reaction time to adjust for difficult movements. They have to handle everything from moving quickly to catch inaccurate pitches and blocking balls in the dirt, to rapid pop-up times to throw out stealing baserunners and catching foul balls hit behind the plate. 

In tandem with the lower body, catchers require strong arms and excellent receiving techniques. Hand-eye coordination is essential to tracking pitches and receiving them cleanly. Framing is an important skill for catchers to practice and perfect, as the ability to sell pitches as strikes to the umpire benefits their pitchers’ performances. A strong arm behind the plate is necessary to throw out baserunners trying to steal. 

Catchers are often leaders of the defense, along with the pitcher. Because they’re behind the plate and can see the whole field, catchers need strong softball IQ and situational awareness. Catchers can pick up on tendencies of opposing batters and alert pitchers and coaches to adjust the game plan. They can also get a feel for the umpire’s strike zone or what pitches are working best for their pitcher on a given day. 

Catchers are typically right handed on defense, though they can be a left or right handed hitter.

First Baseman

First basemen are often the best power hitters on the team and possess strong glove skills in the field. As the first of the infield position group, first baseman is position #3 in softball. Players with larger body types typically get placed at first base, which coincides with more power at the plate.

In the field, playing first base doesn’t require as much range and quickness as other positions in the infield. Quick reflexes and instincts are important for quick ground balls and line drives hit to first base. It’s more important to be able to keep the ball in front of the body, as they don’t have to worry about making a long throw across the field. 

The primary responsibility of first basemen in softball is catching balls thrown from infielders. That requires strong glove skills and anticipation. Practicing proper form ensures players remain controlled in stretching to receive throws. They also spend time practicing scoops to dig bad throws out of the dirt. 

Second Baseman 

Second basemen are infielders that cover the ground between first and second base on the right side of the diamond. As the second position in the infield group, second baseman is position #4 in softball. 

Quickness and fielding are important abilities for second basemen, being able to cover ground, field balls, and make plays. Because they’re closer to first base, they don’t need the strongest arm. Sharing responsibilities with the shortstop, second basemen have to communicate who will cover second base when runners steal and turning double plays. 

Usually small and athletic with quickness and speed, second basemen tend to be contact hitters. They hit for average, get on base, and utilize their speed as a threat on the base paths. 

Third Baseman

Third basemen are infielders positioned on the left corner of the infield, covering the third base/left field line and area around third base. As the third in the infield group, third baseman is position #5 in softball. 

In softball, third base is more of an offensive role. Like first basemen, third basemen are more often power hitters in the lineup. Third basemen need to be stronger fielders than first basemen, but they don’t have to cover as much ground as the middle infielders. For that reason, less range and agility is required to field their position. 

Positioned at the “hot corner”, third basemen must possess lightning-fast reflexes. Quick reaction, instincts, and hand eye coordination is required for quick ground balls and screaming line drives. Third basemen need strong arms for long throws across the diamond, as their position is the longest throw to first base of all infielders. 

Shortstop 

Shortshop covers the area between second and third base. Because of the range they need to cover, shortstops are often the best athletes on the team with extraordinary defensive skills. As the final member of the infield group, the shortstop is labeled as position #6 in softball. 

Shortstops require great range and mobility to cover such a large area. They also have to be defensively sound with pristine agility, glove work, and arm strength. 

On offense, the shortstop’s ability varies. Sometimes they’re power hitters, other times they hit for average and utilize their quickness and speed on the base paths. The best offensive shortstops combine average, power, and speed for a triple threat at the plate. 

Because of their position in the infield and their responsibilities, shortstops are leaders of the infield. They have to have strong communication skills, along with their physical abilities and skills. 

Left Fielder 

The left fielder covers the left side (or third) of the outfield. They don’t need to be standout players, but should have adequate abilities in the field and at the plate. As the first in the outfield group, left fielder is position #7 in softball. 

Left fielders don’t have to make any crazy long throws, so they don’t need a cannon of an arm. They simply need to be able to field the position consistently and avoid costly errors. At the plate, left fielders are typically stronger power hitters. 

Both at the plate and in the field, speed and agility is useful for left fielders. They don’t have to be the best athletes on the team or in their position group, but they can’t be so slow that they’re a liability for covering their third of the outfield. 

Center Fielder 

The center fielder covers the center of the outfield, between the left and right fielders. Center fielders typically cover the most ground in the outfield. They’re one of the best athletes on the team and has the most speed of all outfielders. As the second in the outfield group, center fielder is position #8 in softball. 

Center field often acts as the captain of the outfield. They’re in the center, can see everything clearly, and have the best range. Because they work with both corner outfielders, they need solid communication to avoid collisions or mistakes. Center fielders must have speed and fly ball tracking ability, defending the gaps and preventing extra base hits. For throws to third and home, they need arm strength and control to make accurate throws. 

On offense, center fielders are typically good hitters with a mix of power and contact. They’re stronger baserunners, because of their quickness and speed. 

Right Fielder 

The right fielder fields hits to the right side of the outfield. As the final player in the outfield group, right fielder is position #9 in softball. 

Right fielders are known for having the strongest outfield arms because they have to make some of the longest throws. They’re typically the least skilled of the outfielders as less balls are hit their way.

Right fielders often have some power at the plate and decent speed on the base paths. 

Additional Softball Positions 

Softball features two additional positions unique to the sport. Where baseball has a designated hitter, softball has two positions: 

• Designated player 
• Flex 

Designated Player 

The designated player (DP) can bat in place of another player, but can’t play defensively or replace other fielders. They act as softball’s version of the designated hitter. 

Flex

A flex player can be substituted in and out of the game for any defensive position except catcher or pitcher. It plays the role of a designated fielder. 

Designated Player/Flex Combo

The designated player/flex position combines those two roles. They can bat for any player in the lineup, including the catcher and pitcher, and can also play defensively in any position except pitcher or catcher. 

They can’t play both offense and defense at the same time, though. If batting for another player, they can’t play defensively during the same inning. Additionally, if the coach decides to substitute the DP/flex combo into the game completely, then the player they were batting for can’t return to the game. 

FAQs About Softball Positions

What are the 9 positions in softball? 

The nine main positions in softball are: 

1. Pitcher
2. Catcher
3. First baseman
4. Second baseman 
5. Third baseman 
6. Shortstop 
7. Left fielder
8. Center fielder 
9. Right fielder

What’s the hardest softball position?

The hardest positions in softball are pitcher, catcher, shortstop, and center fielder. 

• The pitcher is tasked with throwing pitches to start every play and trying to get opposing batters out. It requires a mix of physical skill, mental strength, and dedication to the game off the field. 
• Catchers have the most physically demanding role, having to squat for long periods of time while adjusting for bad throws and blocking balls in the dirt. 
• The shortstop is the leader of the infield, covering the largest range and requiring a strong throwing arm to make throws from deep in the hole. 
• Center fielders are the most athletic and agile players on the team, covering the largest range in the outfield. 

What are the base positions in softball?

The base nine positions in softball are: 

• Pitcher (1) 
• Catcher (2) 
• First baseman (3) 
• Second baseman (4) 
• Third baseman (5) 
• Shortstop (6) 
• Left fielder (7) 
• Center fielder (8) 
• Right fielder (9) 

What is the weakest position in softball?

There is no “weakest” or easiest position in softball. However, the right fielder is typically the least impactful position on the field and where players who need time to develop can find playing time.