Toughest position to play in softball??

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Not gonna break any new ground here.

I think we all agree there are different definitions of "toughness" involved here. Not trying to slight any other positions, (if you're good---none are easy), but catchers and pitchers are under unique pressures.

To me, there's no doubt about it---catcher has the most physically difficult position on the field. As many have already said: wearing specialty equipment, heat issues, crouched position, most likely to take a hit from wildly swinging batters, takes the lion's share of tackles from runners trying to make it home, trying to stop the ball when the pitcher can't find the plate, etc.

There's a different kind of toughness at work when it comes to pitchers. Again, as many others have mentioned---no other position requires as much outside practice and instruction, just to maintain ~ much less to try and excel. I truly don't think parents and players who don't pitch really have any idea the time and money involved, and the years it can take to get to the point where your dd can get out in the circle and pretty much put the ball where she wants it, when she wants it. (Pitchers' parents die a thousand deaths the first few years, lol. It can be agonizing to see the ball sail right over the backstop. )

Being the parent of a pitcher who has spent countless hours with pitching/hitting coaches, and me and team coaches to get where she is now (and she is not done yet) I do know. However, my dd pitched in a semi-final game and then right into the final game (13 innings) to help win a tournament. She pitched better than anyone could have asked of her, but she still got hit and needed her fielders and her catcher to assist in that feat. She didn't do it by herself. She did get most of the glory but she thanked the rest of team for their participation too!:yahoo:

 

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I think all the positions are tough depending on who you are playing, if playing a good small ball team all infielders have it tough, playing a team that crushes the ball puts a lot of stress on outfielders, but would agree with the majority of post. Catcher, pitcher, SS, then IMHO 1B, Cf, 2B, 3B, RF, LF.

 

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mental...pitcher physical...catcher

my dad always sayz an average catcher will make a great pitcher look average, and a good catcher make an average pitcher look great

......but if you knew my dad you would say pitcher is toughest

 

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Granted, catcher is a very demanding position (both physically & mentally).

However, I have yet to see a catcher get pulled because the other team is ripping the ball.

Jeff Becker
Pittsburgh Power

 

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Pitcher is toughest to be able to do, catcher is toughest during the game. Alot of folks are saying shortstop after pitcher catcher. I go with 3rd. They have no time to field the ball while a shortstop has alot of time. I play 3rd and recently played baseball and got to play about as far back as a fastpitch shortstop and it was ridiculous how much easier it was.

 

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What do you feel is the toughest position to play in softball and why??

CATCHER... Physically... and Mentally ! Now if you are an ACE Pitcher i do agree its Draining , but CATCHING in that Gear, with all the responsibilities. Wow... Job. Treat your Catchers GOOD ! Keep them Kool and Happy. And dont wear them out in Practice.

 

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Expected to have a full and complete knowledge of the game...

Full protective gear in 90 degree heat for multiple games...

Repeated crouching wear and tear on the knees, legs and back...

Getting pelted with errant pitches and discarded bats...

The constant scrutiny of knowing that one tiny mental lapse or slip up will bring the wrath of coaches and fans...

Yes, I agree. Umpire is the toughest position on the field!

And no matter what position you play, you are guaranteed to spend half the game in the cool comfort of the dugout. An umpire never sits!

I play 3rd and recently played baseball and got to play about as far back as a fastpitch shortstop and it was ridiculous how much easier it was.

Guess your broken finger finally healed, eh? It doesn't surprise me that you think catcher is the toughest position- especially when you try to catch a pitch with your bare hand...

 

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I agree that catching is toughest, but don't forget the blame that the pitchers receive when things are not going well.

yes but don't forget the blame catcher's get when there is a pass ball and runners score.

 

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THERE IS NO EASY POSITION !!!
If you think there is watch were the ball goes to every time !

If you teach every position on the field properly there are all difficult to play properly. Some get more opportunities, more balls, but that one ball to the outfield could kill you if not played correctly, knowing the situation, and properly advancing the ball for the situation. (and they may only have it happen that one time in ITB to win or lose a game)

 

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Expected to have a full and complete knowledge of the game...

Full protective gear in 90 degree heat for multiple games...

Repeated crouching wear and tear on the knees, legs and back...

Getting pelted with errant pitches and discarded bats...

The constant scrutiny of knowing that one tiny mental lapse or slip up will bring the wrath of coaches and fans...

Yes, I agree. Umpire is the toughest position on the field!

And no matter what position you play, you are guaranteed to spend half the game in the cool comfort of the dugout. An umpire never sits!

Good one, bretman!!! You had me goin' till the end, lol. You're absolutely correct, of course.

 

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The subject was "Toughest position to PLAY in softball".

Umpires don't play a position....and they get paid no matter how horrible they are. Coaches don't play a position either, and most of them are just pretenders!

Okay, okay.....just kidding. I've been a player, umpire, and I am a coach and all are tough.

As far as players go, all positions are tough if played correctly but the toughest positions to play are catcher then pitcher. The reasons are explained in previous posts.

 

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OK, some of you know that my dd is a catcher, so take it with a grain of salt.

The position of catcher is the toughest on the field.
First off, they have to understand the game. They are the field general. They keep the team in the game, and direct traffic. They have to keep their pitcher calm when things aren't goin their way.
They have to wear full protective gear. Try doing this in 90 degree heat for 4 or 5 games on a Sunday.
They have to stand in a crouch position for a major portion of the game.
They have to block pitches in the dirt, chase down the ones that get away, and still try to throw a girl out at 2nd or 3rd.
They're the last defense against a run scoring against their team.
If given the opportunity to call their own game, they need to know what pitches to throw to what batters and on what count.
They're expected to throw girls out at 2nd or 3rd who can run like the wind.

Catcher also has my vote for all the above reasons!

2nd place goes to the SS. She has to be fast on her feet but above all, fast in her mind and track every play with a sure glove!

 

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There's a different kind of toughness at work when it comes to pitchers. Again, as many others have mentioned---no other position requires as much outside practice and instruction, just to maintain ~ much less to try and excel. I truly don't think parents and players who don't pitch really have any idea the time and money involved, and the years it can take to get to the point where your dd can get out in the circle and pretty much put the ball where she wants it, when she wants it. (Pitchers' parents die a thousand deaths the first few years, lol. It can be agonizing to see the ball sail right over the backstop. )

:lmao: Love the last 2 lines...
Now you know why my DD's nickname is "WILD THING"! :lmao: When she was younger there was always one or two, either off the top of the backstop or hitting a batter. Id just crouch in my seat.
Wildest part was first 5 pitches dead on then BAM! (Where did THAT come from!)

 

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LOL....Joe :lmao:

 

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Have to agree with everyone saying catcher. Try to find an 18U catcher that doesn't play through pain every game. Every good catcher that I know of is dealing with knee or back problems by that age. DD was a catcher through 14U ball. Everyone else grew, but she didn't. When her 16U coach first tried turning her into an outfielder, she called it pain free softball.

 

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Johnnies hit it on the head.
1. Pitcher
2. Catcher
3. Short stop, If you don't know why you have not played elite softball. Teams with slappers and can steal you blind. She must be the fastest kid on the team, and have a cannon for an arm..
4,. 3B, same as above , but you don't need the speed. Ask Big Train what the West coasts team will do to you at Third. They will small ball you to death, if you are weak and it doesn't matter how good your pitcher is. He has Abbey as a pitcher one of the best!

This is my choice......I agree with the above.

Pitchers work hard than any other position(at least the elite ones). They also have to be very mentaly tough. If you have ever had a kid that pitched you could atest to this. From the age of 8-14 my DD pitched 5-8 hours per week year around not including team practices and games.

Catchers also work hard. Just a notch shy of the pitchers.

 

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pitchers

 

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catchers throw as many or more than pitchers, but throw them overhand, very hard on the arm and shoulder. crouching is very hard on knees,,and expected to run out bunts or infield grounders when they are at bat. did i mention crouching in smelly equipment with an umpire with smelly equipment breathing down your neck. not to mention wild throws in the dirt from wild thing pitchers, or ****py throws from outfielders in close games,,,the catchers always get the blame for past balls. when not catching, running down a fly ball or fielding a grounder.

 

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You don't know how hard catching is unless you've lived it. I caught and pitched in my youth and through high school. Catching is much harder. Many pitcher's parents think their dd is the only one that has extra practice. Not true! Just ask my dd catcher. She goes through core, leg, and arm/shoulder exercises, I throw dirt balls at her, I make her throw to first, second, and third, and we talk pitch and pitch location strategy. She's 11 and to be honest, she is better than many of the catchers her age that I have seen.

We do not do extra practice every day. It would not be fair to her body, much like pitching every day is not fair to a pitcher's body. Regardless of the position, the body needs down time to heal. Many people do not understand that the arm needs to rest, regardless of the throwing motion. With use comes swelling and minute tearing and that is a fact. I cringe when I hear that a girl is throwing every day because their arm is not being allowed to heal.

Anyway....catcher is the toughest.

 

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CATCHER... Physically... and Mentally ! Now if you are an ACE Pitcher i do agree its Draining , but CATCHING in that Gear, with all the responsibilities. Wow... Job. Treat your Catchers GOOD ! Keep them Kool and Happy. And dont wear them out in Practice.

I will 2nd that!
Pitchers work longer yes, but catchers work harder.
My DD plays both positions. Has played at catcher more,