Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Entertainment/2010 November 12

= November 12 =

MLB players positions
How many player does a MLB team need for the following positions: a) Pitchers b) first baseman c) second baseman d) shortstop e) third baseman  f) left field g) centre field h) right field i) catcher and for American League teams-how many players for the position Designated Hitter? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 174.89.43.187 (talk) 14:58, 12 November 2010 (UTC)


 * You only NEED one player per position. -- k a i n a w &trade; 15:07, 12 November 2010 (UTC)


 * A Major League Baseball roster nowadays contains 25 players (except when teams are allowed to carry more in September). There are usually 12 or 13 pitchers (5 starters, the rest relievers); 2 catchers (a starter and a back-up); 4 starting infielders and 2 back-ups (one of them at least a shortstop); and 4 or 5 outfielders, (three of them starters, with one of the back-up able to play center field). The designated hitter is usually one of the back-up outfielders and infielders; if he cannot play a defensive position, as is sometimes the case, the manager may need to tweak the numbers above, staying within the 25-player limit. Teams used to carry only 9 or 10 pitchers, leaving room on the roster for a 3rd catcher, a pinch-hitting specialist, and one or more defensive specialists. Nowadays, one of the back-up infielders often needs to be able to play 4 or 5 different positions passably to justify his place on the roster, rather than one position well as was the case until the 1990s. The hardest defensive positions to play are catcher, shortstop and center field, so it is important to have at least one qualified back-up for these; in a pinch, many players can play 1B, RF or LF, so it's less important to have dedicated back-ups there. 2B and 3B fall in between - a shortstop or a good defensive outfielder can usually handle these positions in an emergency. Also see this article. --Xuxl (talk) 16:07, 12 November 2010 (UTC)
 * There have always been "utility" players, part-timers who are capable, if not outstanding, at a group of positions. Outfielders also shift around as needed. There is also (or at least there used to be) a short list of designated players who can be recruited as pitchers if necessary. These are pre-assigned with approval, so as not to make a travesty out of the game by bringing in someone who has literally never pitched, in case they run out of regular pitchers. There have to be 9 players on the field, including pitcher and catcher, and if the team cannot supply the 9, they forfeit. There is also the occasional stunt where a player will play all 9 positions, 1 per inning. That would also be pre-arranged, usually in a non-critical game. Pitchers not scheduled to pitch are sometimes used as pinch-runners in late innings to prevent expending a position player. Pitchers who can hit are also sometimes used as pinch-hitters. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 19:32, 12 November 2010 (UTC)
 * In the early days of professional baseball, the roster typically was about 12 men. The rule then prohibited substitutions except in case of injuries. The seasons also had far fewer games, so you could get away with 2 pitchers, typically trading off with right field on alternate days, and 3 other utility players who could be brought in as replacements if necessary. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 19:35, 12 November 2010 (UTC)
 * "There is also (or at least there used to be) a short list of designated players who can be recruited as pitchers if necessary. These are pre-assigned with approval, so as not to make a travesty out of the game by bringing in someone who has literally never pitched, in case they run out of regular pitchers". I've never seen this; a position player will sometimes be used to pitch in a blow-out or if a game goes deep into extra innings, but it's almost always a desperation move. It was the case in the 19th century, but the game has changed a lot since. --Xuxl (talk) 21:16, 12 November 2010 (UTC)

CFL team players positions
How many players does each CFL team need for the following positions: a) quarterbacks b) slotbacks c) running backs d) wide receivers e) Offensive linemen f) defensive linemen g) linebackers h) cornerbacks i) defensive backs j) kickers k) kick returners l) punters m) punt returners —Preceding unsigned comment added by 174.89.43.187 (talk) 15:40, 12 November 2010 (UTC)
 * The article List of current CFL team rosters will give you a sense of how Canadian Football League rosters are constructed. Apart from the standard 3 quarterbacks, the composition varies from team to team. Some teams will have more running backs, others more wide receivers or slotbacks. Some will use two different players to punt and to kick, others will use just one. Kick and punt returners are rarely solely dedicated to that task; teams will often use a RB, WR, SB or defensive back for those purposes, influencing the numbers in these categories. Linemen are more standard, with teams generally carrying 7 offensive linemen and 7 defensive linemen. Linebackers and defensive backs depend on the prefered defensive scheme, and who gets used on special teams. Some teams also list one or two full-time special teams players, in addition to their punter and/or kicker. And of course, rosters change from game to game given the high number of injuries in Canadian (or American) football. --Xuxl (talk) 21:45, 12 November 2010 (UTC)