What Is a Fielding Position?

A fielding position is a term frequently used in sports such as baseball and cricket. It refers to a player's position on the playing field when his team is pitching or bowling.

  1. Baseball

    • There are nine positions on the baseball field. Each position has a designated number between one and nine, which is used to help with scoring the game. In ascending numerical order, the positions are as follows: pitcher, catcher, first base, second base, third base, shortstop, left field, center field and right field.

    Cricket---On Side

    • There are many more variations to fielding positions in cricket than there are in baseball. Aside from the bowler, the only other constant is the wicketkeeper. Fielding positions are frequently determined according to how a team plans to bowl to the batsman. The area to the batsman's leg side is known as the on side, and positions include fine leg, square leg, mid wicket, mid-on and long on. Rules mandate that no more than two players can be placed behind the batsman's crease on the leg side.

    Cricket---Off Side

    • There are no restrictions to the amount of fielders that can be placed on the off side. Positions include slip, third man, gully, backward point, cover and mid-off. Teams typically place their best fielders in catching positions, while putting their weaker fielders in less important positions.