Imagine yourself on a softball field; you just made a really hard play and got the runner out. Your whole team is cheering you on because if you didn't make that play, your team wouldn't have won the championship. You're so happy and proud of yourself, and so are your coaches and teammates. 

       In softball, the outfield is an important position. The outfielders have to get the ball if it goes in the outfield. They have to back up the bases just in case the ball goes past the baseman. There can be three or four players in the outfield. When there are four outfielders in the outfield there is a player at left field, left center, right center, and right field. But when there are only three players in the outfield there's only one player at left field, center field and right field. The outfield does the most running; sometimes when the other team has good hitters and they’re hitting the ball to the outfield they have to chase after the ball and even dive for it. The outfielders are usually really fast and have a good arm.

       In the infield you have first base, second base, short stop, and third base. All the positions are important! The first baseman usually gets all the throws and can usually get the bad throws to first base. They are also the cut off for home if the outfield is throwing the ball to home plate.They also back up home plate when someone is still home. The second baseman helps the first baseman; if the first baseman is getting the ball and they are away from the base, the second baseman can just go to first and the first baseman can just throw the ball to get the out. The second baseman also backs up second base when some is stealing second and the shortstop catches the ball to tag the runner. 

       The shortstop covers second base when the other team is stealing second. The shortstop can also be cut off when the ball gets hit to left field. Last but not least, the third baseman. They can throw the ball across the infield to first base to get the out. The third baseman covers third when someone is trying to steal that base. Also when the runner is taking a big lead when they’re at third, the third baseman is a couple of steps behind the runner just in case the catcher throws the ball to try to get the runner out. 

       Also in the infield you have the two most important positions: the pitcher and the catcher. The pitcher does a lot of work; they have to have really good accuracy when pitching. If they can't pitch strikes and only balls then the batter is going to get a walk, and then there's going to be more people on the bases, which can lead to runs. The pitcher has a lot of pressure on them. When someone is stealing home the pitcher has to run to home plate to cover for when the catcher throws the ball. 

       The catcher is one of the most important positions on the field. They have to catch every single ball that the pitcher throws, and they have to block the ball with their body. They have to have a good arm to throw to second base when someone is stealing second base. The catcher does a lot of work behind the plate. They have to have fast reaction times for when the ball is hit and when there's a bad pitcher so they know how to catch the ball and block it. The pitcher and catcher are the most important positions on the field. 

       All of the positions are important in softball. Every position matters and has a purpose.

-Brynn T.