The basics

Baseball at a glance

Bases: 4 (Home, 1st, 2nd, 3rd)
Distances (Senior): 90ft bases, 60ft 6in pitching
Distances (Youth): Scales down (e.g., 60ft bases)

Based on Official Baseball Rules with modifications for Baseball New Zealand youth age groups.

Positions

Baseball has 9 named positions. Junior and small-sided formats use fewer of them, which is worth checking before you plan a rotation — the number on the court is what sets how playing time divides up.

Pitcher (1) — Starts every play by pitching to the batter. Also fields bunts and covers home on passed balls. The most physically demanding position, which is why youth grades cap pitch counts.
Catcher (2) — Receives every pitch, calls the game, blocks balls in the dirt and throws out runners stealing. The only fielder who sees the whole field, so they direct the defence.
First Base (3) — Receives throws from the other infielders to record force outs. Needs reliable catching and the footwork to stay on the bag while stretching for a wide throw.
Second Base (4) — Covers the right side of the infield, turns double plays with the shortstop, and backs up throws to first. Quick hands matter more than arm strength.

See all 9 baseball positions explained, including where each one is allowed to go and whether junior players should specialise.

Free, no account needed

Reference and tools

Rules of the game

Formats, scoring, fouls, key terms and junior game durations by school year level.

Positions explained

Every position, what it does, and the areas of the court it covers.

Free rotation tools

Rotation and lineup generators for netball, football and basketball — the same fairness logic applies to baseball.

With a Squaddie account

Drills, session plans and season programmes

The baseball coaching library — age-appropriate drills with setup and coaching points, ready-made session plans, and week-by-week season programmes — is part of Squaddie rather than free reference material. Your first team is free forever, so it costs nothing to look.

Year 5–6

Ages 9–11
Court awareness and positional play. Learning where to be and why.

Year 7–8

Ages 11–13
Team play and tactical thinking. Movement patterns, attack and defence structures.

Year 9–10

Ages 13–15
Competition-ready skills, structured training, and fitness conditioning.

Senior / Open

Ages 15+
Advanced tactics, strength & conditioning, and elite coaching frameworks.

Tee Ball

Ages 5–6
Fun & confidence — fall in love with the game through hitting off a tee, running bases, and learning to throw and catch.

Rookie Ball

Ages 7–8
Building the fundamentals — throwing mechanics, catching technique, batting basics, and coach-pitch games.

Year 11–13

Ages 15–18
Senior secondary school — competition-level skills, team systems, and leadership.

Keep reading

Baseball coaching resources