Baseball · Level 3: Pre-Intermediate · Sub-level 3.1
Positions and Roles
10 tests · 100 facts · updated 28 October 2026 · markdown
Starters and relievers, the catcher, the four infield spots, the three outfield spots, and the designated hitter and utility players.
Each test below is ten questions on Insporta. The list under a test is what the questions check: one fact per question, with the source it was written from. Read it before the test, or come back from a wrong answer.
Test 1Starters and relieversTake a test
A starter tries to go six innings or more and keep his team in the game.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Most major league teams use a five-man rotation.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Rest between starts lets the arm recover.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
A long man comes in early when a starter is knocked out.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
The set-up man usually pitches the eighth inning ahead of the closer.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Some teams start a game with a reliever for an inning, then bring in the bulk pitcher.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Specialists come in to face one or two tough left-handed batters.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Starters face twenty or more; a specialist may face just one or two.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Starters pitch far more innings than any reliever.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
The closer is usually saved for the ninth inning of a close game.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Test 2The catcher's roleTake a test
Facing the whole field, the catcher calls pitches and directs the fielders.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
The catcher is position 2.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Calling pitches and setting the defence teaches strategy.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Each pitcher's pitches behave differently, so the catcher studies them.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Crouching for hundreds of pitches a game is hard on the body.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
The catcher runs down the line behind first in case of an overthrow.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Teams carry a second catcher to rest the starter and in case of injury.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Preparation leads to the plan, the warm-up and then the game.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Signs come every pitch; throws to second are rare.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Catchers remind fielders of outs, depth and coverage.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Test 3The first basemanTake a test
A tall first baseman with a long reach saves wide throws.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
First base asks the least range, so it suits power bats with less speed.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Facing the infield, a lefty's throws to second and home are more natural.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
He stays on the bag, ready for a pickoff throw.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
He makes sure the batter-runner touches the bag, and can take a throw behind him.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Most ground-ball outs end with a throw to first.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Shifting the feet lets him stretch the right way for each throw.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Get to the bag, set up, read, stretch.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Shortstop asks the most range; first base the least.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Standing at the bag keeps the runner close for a pickoff.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Test 4The second basemanTake a test
Middle infielders decide coverage by the hitter and pitch, often signalling with a covered mouth.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
From second base the throw to first is short.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
He often goes out to take the relay from the right fielder.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
He takes the feed at second and throws to first.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
The second baseman covers the right side of the infield, between first and second.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Second baseman and shortstop work together round second base.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Turning two requires quick footwork with the runner bearing down.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Coverage is decided before the pitch, then executed.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
The relay home from right field is his longest throw.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
He lines up to take the throw from the right fielder.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Test 5The shortstopTake a test
Shortstop needs range, hands and a strong arm.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
From deep at short the throw across to first is among the longest in the infield.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Shortstops roam into short left field for pop-ups.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
A left-handed hitter tends to pull the ball towards second baseman's side, so the shortstop covers.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
He covers second while the outfielder fields the ball.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
From the middle, the shortstop calls coverages and positioning.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
The long throw on the move away from first is the toughest.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Cover the bag and hold the runner.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
The deep throw from the hole is the longest.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Infielders give way to the shortstop on pop-ups he can reach; outfielders coming in still have priority.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Test 6The third basemanTake a test
Right-handed pull hitters smash balls to third.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Guarding the line prevents doubles in the corner.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
He crashes in to field bunts on his side.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
The throw across the diamond is one of the longest in the infield.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
He stays at the bag for the catcher's throw.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Playing in shortens the distance to a bunt.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Third base is nicknamed the hot corner.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Charge, field, throw.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
He moves in for bunts and back for power hitters.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Protecting the line stops a double into the corner.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Test 7The left fielderTake a test
From left field the throw to third base is the shortest outfield throw to it.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Right-handed hitters pull the ball to left.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Outfielders move to back up throws in case the ball gets away.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
He backs up third in case the throw gets past.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Fenway's Green Monster stands in left field.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Opposite-field hits from left-handers often slice towards the left field line.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
A strong throw home can cut down the runner trying to score.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Charge, field, crow hop, throw.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
The right fielder's throw to third is the longest.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Every infield throw needs someone behind it, and that is the outfielders' job.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Test 8The centre fielderTake a test
Centre fielders run down balls in both gaps.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
The centre fielder is the outfield's captain.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
From the middle he sees both sides and positions the others.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
He moves in behind second in case the catcher's throw gets past.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
From centre he can see the catcher's location and get a jump.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
A centre fielder plays shallow to catch bloopers when the hitter lacks power.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Range lets a centre fielder take away hits in both gaps.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Read, angle, call, catch.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Centre needs the most range; left field often the least.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
The centre fielder has priority and takes charge.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Test 9The right fielderTake a test
The long throw from right field to third needs the best arm.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Runners try to go first to third on balls to right, so his throw usually goes there.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
A strong throw from right that gets a runner is a highlight.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
He backs up the throw to first.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
On a hard single right at a shallow right fielder, a quick throw can beat a slow runner.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Depending on the park's direction, one corner outfielder faces the sun.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Stopping runners going from first to third is a key right-field job.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Charge, field, crow hop, throw on a low hop.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Backing up happens constantly; outfield assists are rare.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
A strong throw from right field can catch a runner going first to third.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Test 10The designated hitter and utility playersTake a test
The DH bats in the pitcher's place and does not field.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
The universal DH came to the National League in 2022.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Teams use the DH spot for a good bat without a glove.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Super utility players can fill in almost anywhere.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
One player who can fill many spots saves roster space.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Ohtani starred as both a starting pitcher and a DH; Ruth pitched and hit before the DH existed.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
A two-way player is both a regular pitcher and a regular hitter.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
The DH fields no position at all.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
The AL adopted the DH in 1973, interleague play began in 1997 and the NL adopted the DH in 2022.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
The DH bats but does not take the field.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Sources
General baseball references, WBSC and league material, coaching manuals; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Numbered rules belong to the Rules category.
- General baseball reference100