What is the hardest position to play in Baseball in your opinion?

Question

What is the hardest position to play in Baseball in your opinion?

Answer 1

catcher all the way squat down take fouls 9 innings of squatting has to hurt. second is shortstop. you have a huge percentage of balls hit at you more than anywhere else in all the positions.

Answer 2

That's tough. Both catcher and pitcher are hard. Catcher always has to be crouching on their knees, which kills your knees and then you always have to try to get the pitch the pitcher throws and throw people out when stealing. But, a pitcher is a very hard position. Everyone is watching you. It's kind of like the game is up to you. You have to try to pitch your best. Not throw crazy pitches, focus, block the crowd out and then just pitch. That would be very hard, especially with everyone pretty much is leaving the game up to you. So, that's what I think. Great Question. Here's a star! =]

Answer 3

Catcher, both physically and mentally. You have to call the game, keep your pitcher focused, make sure all the fielders know the plan, and it's a gruelling, hot job.

Pitching certainly has a huge mental component as well, the pressure will really focus on the pitcher if he's in a jam or in the late innings of a close..but really, all he has to do is listen to the catcher and make his pitches.

Answer 4

pitcher obviously and then short stop

Answer 5

Catcher, for sure, Closing is also hard, but for some reason that seems to be the position I am best at (only high school but still), I like the pressure, it makes me play better.

Answer 6

pitcher or a catcher

Answer 7

pithcre because everyone is looking at you  

Answer 8

I wish I had a different answer for you, but I don't. Catcher has to be the hardest position out there. Physically, it absolutely kills the knees and even your lower back can be messed up badly from crouching so much. Then, you have the pressure of calling a game and making sure your pitcher is where he should be emotionally. Then, you also have to adjust to 20 different pitching styles and 6 different pitches to accomodate the whole pitching staff. Not to mention, you have to wear pounds of gear for half the game in the middle of summer. Then, you also have to worry about being a good, solid hitter on top of all of that.

The second hardest in my opinion would be the closer role. Those guys have all of the pressure put on their shoulders after the team has fought for 8+ innings to win the game. Then, if you give it up, you just wasted 3 hours of work for your team, and then you have to forget about it and attempt to regain composure for the next game. You have to be absolutely pin-point as well because one mistake will give up the game, where as in a starting role, you can make mistakes and regain it throughout the rest of the game. The only advantage they have over starters is that the hitters see the starters stuff several times a game so they know somewhat of what is to come in the next at bat. However, they only see the closer once, hopefully, so they can't be as prepared.  

Answer 9

Overall, catcher...

For me personally, center field....How guys like Torii Hunter can read the ball off the bat and then run them down is amazing.

Answer 10

From hardest to easiest in my opinion:

1: pitcher- one pitch misses its spot by 3 inches and bye-bye baseball

2: catcher- batters get 3 chances to try to connect, catchers have to snag everything including blocking the mistakes that the pitchers throw in the dirt. On top of that they have to watch and hold runners and run the infield and call cut-off plays.

3: Shortstop - the SS has to field ground balls with good range and make quick, strong, accurate throws. They also cover 2nd base, and sometimes 3rd, they turn double plays, and make cut-off throws. Any shallow pop up in left is their job to run it down.

4: 3rd base - almost as many responsibilities as SS and the balls are hit at you harder

5,6,7: outfield - you have to have speed, a strong arm, good reaction to balls, and the athletic ability to make running/diving/sliding catches.

8: 2nd base - has all the time in the world to field and throw, and as a result they can play deep and they rarely see a hard hit shot right at them. they have a short throw and its not really that hard to turn a double play

9: 1st base - all they have to do is field a few ground balls and run to their base (or underhand to the pitcher) and catch thrown balls. Sure it takes a bit of baseball talent to learn the footwork and learn how to stretch for balls and dig bad throws out of the dirt but any decent player can do a decent job at 1st base with a small amount of practice. This is one of the more important positions on the field because they are involved in so many plays, but becoming a master of the position is rather simple.

Answer 11

Physically, I would say Catcher. You have to squat with heavy gear on, take foul balls off of you, and have to adapt to different styles of pitchers. Look at Jason Varitek, he has to deal with Tim Wakefield, Jonathan Papelbon, and others with varying styles.

Answer 12

Catcher for sure.  

Answer 13

Catcher.  You will definitely be involved in every play, except possibly a pick-off attempt that you may have coordinated, often as many as three times.  

On one play you might call the pitch, field the ball and later be involved in a collision at the plate trying to prevent a score.  On the next play you might not be involved because the batter grounded to short.  How do you get to spend your apparent "leisure" time?  By dragging your sore knees and all that gear up the line to back up the play at first.

Then there is the mental aspect.  you have to call the game which requires a thorough knowledge of your pitcher's strengths and the batter's weaknesses and how to maximize your edge.  And how to calm your pitcher down when he's upset, even if he doesn't speak the same language as you do.  

I haven't even mentioned controlling the running game,

If you can do all these things well the tream will carry you even if you only hit .230.

Answer 14

Just to play is the catcher no question.

1. You're in a squat for a long long long long time.

2. You got guys throwing 95 MPH pieces of hard rubber at you.

3. You have to be mentally focused about the base runners, what pitches to call, and the batter at the plate.

But to play a position with skill and expertise is pitcher because it is such a specialized position.  

Answer 15

Hardest: Catcher, no question.

Most stressful: Pitcher, no question.

Answer 16

Catcher I played that position in high school and I got hit with plenty foul balls.

Answer 17

I'm gonna say catcher.  Wearing all that stuff,  having to squat,  learning different pitchers & pitches, blocking and keeping the ball down. Plus in Texas its harder when is the middle of summer and it's 100 degrees.

Answer 18

I think catcher is the hardest, pitcher right after that. You squat down for 3 hours at each game. Most catchers also call their own pitches, so if a pitcher does well, the catcher should get some credit. Pitchers throw the pitches, and to become a very good pitcher, you have to practice your pitches for hours each week. Not to mention all the injuries that could come and the stress on your arms when throwing 100+ pitches. Catchers and pitchers are both hard positions, and both of them need to be good to win. Your battery (pitcher+catcher) creates the energy for your team.

Answer 19

Easily Catcher is the hardest position

Answer 20

I have played Short Stop and Center Field before. Nothing can compare to getting line drives hit to your head.

Short Stop is the toughest position to play. Back in the old days, teams would not care if the SS could not hit as long as he could play defense. That just goes to show how tough the position is.

Answer 21

I have always felt that the most demanding position in all of baseball is the catchers position. Both physically and mentally (some may argue the pitcher has the mentally honor, but I disagree) Consider this, as an aging starting catcher, the physical demands are great. To remain in the catcher stance for 9 inning, and most play on average 140 games a season not to mention spring training and, if your lucky, post season, that is alot of squatting (simply put) AND.... you have to play on the offense side too. Being able to hit, and run. Hmmm....

Also, have a fast arm, and take the power hits when someone is coming into homeplate full bore.... (for every action an equal and opposite reaction will occur- basic law of physics)

Answer 22

Catcher, all that were and tear on your knees and legs. Not to mention getting bulldozered at the plate every so often.

Its a wonder how those guys can stand up after their career is over.

Answer 23

I'd have to say either pitcher or catcher. In my case it'd be pitching. For pitching all eyes are on you, and other obvious reasons. For catching, you have to crouch down with all that heavy gear for 9 innings, and you also hit, and other reasons which have been pointed out. Sorry I don't feel like typing much today. lol  

Answer 24

I would say catcher.  

Answer 25

pitcher and/or catcher

Answer 26

catcher

Answer 27

In Order:

1. CATCHER

2. Pitcher

3. Shortstop

4. Third Base

5. Centerfield

6. Second Base

7. First Base

8. Left Field

9. Right Field

Answer 28

Catcher. This is known.

Call the game, handle a staff, play every pitch. Crouch for 9 innings and hit.  

Answer 29

thats a tough one..ive played all 9 baseball positions at a competitive level (college) and have to say the hardest one to play regularly is hte pitching position..some days you are on fire and some days you cant get anything done, and you have to work through bad outings..they are the only people involved with every single play during a baseball game, and that is not just alot of pressure, but also a lot work to make sure you do everything right

i say pitcher for sure is the hardest. sure some guys are naturally gifted but there are naturally gifted guys at every position, not just pitcher  

Answer 30

Catcher is for sure the toughest position to play but the position that takes the most skill is definitely shortstop. You have to be fast to cover the hole and up the middle, you have to have a cannon to make the plays in the hole, you have to have an accurate arm, and you have to have soft hands to make picks and have to make lightning quick relays from the outfield and in this day in age you better bring some offense to the plate as well. You have to be a true five tool player to make it in the bigs as a shortstop.

Answer 31

There is no question, it's catcher.

You have the most physically demanding job on the team.  But, less obviously.. you have the most mentally demanding one as well.  A catcher has to constantly study game film and scouting reports to know what pitches to call when.  And he has to do it every day.