Baseball, a beloved sport with a rich history, captivates fans worldwide with its unique structure and fast-paced gameplay. One of the essential factors that contribute to the game’s dynamics is the number of players on each team. While most people are aware of the common nine players on the field during a game, the actual roster size varies depending on the league and level of play.
In Major League Baseball (MLB), each team is permitted to have 26 players on their roster for a regular season game. These players rotate through various positions, with some remaining available on the bench as substitutes or for strategic purposes. Understanding and managing the roster size is crucial for team managers, as it influences decisions on fielding, pitching, and batting.
Roster sizes often differ in lower-level baseball leagues such as college, minor league, and youth teams. These smaller rosters reflect the varying needs and objectives of each league, as well as considerations for player development and exposure. Overall, the number of players on a baseball team plays a significant role in shaping the dynamics and strategies of the sport.
Contents
Basic Baseball Team Composition
The Starting Lineup
In a standard baseball game, the starting lineup consists of nine players. These players fill the following defensive positions:
- pitcher
- catcher
- first base
- second base
- third base
- shortstop
- left field
- center field
- right field
- designated Hitter (DH) (can replace the pitcher’s spot in the batting lineup, making it a total of ten players)
Pitchers
A baseball team carries a variety of pitchers on their roster, including starting pitchers, relief pitchers, and closers. The starting pitcher typically initiates the game and attempts to pitch for as many innings as possible, with the goal of keeping the opposing team from scoring. Relief pitchers enter the game when the starting pitcher is unable to continue or the coach determines it is strategically appropriate. Closers are specialized pitchers who enter the game in high-pressure situations, often to protect a lead in the final innings of the game.
Position Players
Position players make up the rest of the roster, playing defensively in the infield and outfield. Infielders include the first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, and shortstop. They work together to prevent the opposing team from scoring by fielding ground balls, catching fly balls, and coordinating plays to get runners out. Outfielders, including the left fielder, center fielder, and right fielder, prevent hits from turning into extra bases by quickly retrieving the ball and making accurate throws back to the infield.
An MLB team has a 26-man active roster with a maximum of 40 players allowed under contract during a season. From September 1 through the end of the regular season, all clubs must carry 28 players, with a limit of 14 pitchers. All players on the 26-man roster must also be on the 40-man roster.
MLB Roster Structure
26-Man Roster
In Major League Baseball (MLB), each team has a 26-man roster, which provides depth and flexibility for the team’s manager. This number was increased to 26 players in the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 26-man roster is in effect from Opening Day through August 31 and during the postseason. Teams are limited to carrying 13 pitchers during this time.
From September 1 through the end of the regular season, all clubs must carry 28 players, with a limit of 14 pitchers. The MLB roster is made up of active players who are eligible to play in a game, and each team also has additional reserve players.
40-Man Roster
The 40-man roster, often referred to as the “expanded roster,” encompasses the active 26-man roster and additional reserve players. These reserve players are typically Minor League players who are on the verge of being promoted to the Major Leagues or have already made their MLB debut but are not part of the active roster.
It is worth noting that players on the 40-man roster are protected from being selected in the annual Rule 5 Draft. The Rule 5 Draft allows other teams to select unprotected players from rival organizations, with the goal of preventing clubs from stockpiling top talent in their Minor League systems without providing those players an opportunity to play in the Major Leagues.
Injured List
In addition to the 26-man and 40-man rosters, MLB maintains an Injured List (IL) for players who are unable to play due to injury or illness. Players placed on the IL are temporarily removed from the active roster, allowing the team to replace them with another player without affecting the roster limits.
There are three types of IL in MLB:
- 10-Day IL: For players with short-term injuries.
- 60-Day IL: For players with more serious or long-term injuries.
- 7-Day IL: Specifically for players who have been diagnosed with a concussion.
While on the IL, a player cannot be part of an MLB game but may participate in rehabilitation activities and assignments depending on the severity of the injury and progress in their recovery.
Player Positions
Infield Players
Infield players consist of the first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, and shortstop. These positions are critical in preventing the opposing team from scoring runs:
- First Baseman (3): This player covers the area around first base and is responsible for catching throws from other infield players to record outs.
- Second Baseman (4): The second baseman is positioned near second base and is involved in double plays, relays, and fielding ground balls.
- Third Baseman (5): Responsible for guarding the area around third base, the third baseman often fields hard-hit balls and bunts.
- Shortstop (6): Playing between second and third base, the shortstop has the widest fielding range among the infielders and is key in executing double plays, fielding ground balls, and relays.
Outfield Players
Outfield players consist of the left fielder, center fielder, and right fielder. They are responsible for catching fly balls and preventing base hits from turning into extra-base hits:
- Left Fielder (7): The left fielder covers the left side of the outfield and needs to have a strong, accurate arm for throwing the ball back to the infield.
- Center Fielder (8): As the central outfield player, the center fielder typically has the most speed and the best overall defensive skills to cover a wide range of territory.
- Right Fielder (9): Covering the right side of the outfield, the right fielder also requires a strong and accurate throwing arm, as they often need to make long throws to the infield.
Catchers
- Catcher (2): Positioned behind home plate, the catcher receives pitches from the pitcher, calls for pitch types and locations, and is responsible for throwing out baserunners attempting to steal bases.
Pitchers
- Pitcher (1): The pitcher is the player who delivers the ball to the batter. Their primary objective is to get the batter out by throwing various pitches intended to confuse, deceive, or overpower the batter. Pitchers also field balls hit in their direction and are involved in plays at first base or home plate.
Player Substitutions and Roster Expansion
The number of players on a baseball team varies depending on the season and the specific match being played. In this section, we will discuss player substitutions and roster expansion in relation to doubleheaders, seasonal roster expansions, and postseason roster settings.
Doubleheaders
On days when teams play a doubleheader, which consists of two games played back-to-back, Major League Baseball (MLB) allows an additional player to be added to the active roster. This means that teams can have 27 players available for such games, providing them with more flexibility and options for player substitutions during these lengthy events.
Seasonal Roster Expansions
During the course of the MLB season, roster expansions occur to accommodate the changing dynamics of a team’s lineup. At the beginning of the season, an MLB team typically has 26 active players on their roster. After September 1, this number can be increased to 28 players for the remainder of the season. This expanded roster allows teams to utilize more of their resources and provide opportunities for younger players to gain experience on the field.
Postseason Roster Settings
In the postseason, a team’s active roster is limited to 25 players. This ensures that postseason games are played with a more competitive atmosphere and that teams’ best players are featured. Additionally, MLB has certain rules in place for setting postseason rosters, such as limiting roster changes between each playoff round.
In summary, the number of players on a baseball team can vary depending on the specific circumstances surrounding the game. Including doubleheaders, seasonal roster expansions, and postseason roster settings. These different roster rules help accommodate the unique demands and challenges of baseball. While allowing for optimal player performances and strategic decisions throughout the season.
Minor League and Youth Baseball Teams
Team Size in Minor Leagues
Minor League Baseball (MiLB) consists of 14 leagues and 206 teams spread across the United States, Dominican Republic, and Canada. These leagues are divided into five classes, in descending order:
- Triple-A
- Double-A
- High-A
- Single-A
- Rookie
The roster size for MiLB teams is restricted and varies, depending on the classification level, except for some “rookie” leagues.
High School and College Baseball
High school and college baseball teams generally have roster sizes different from those in the MiLB. For High school baseball teams, they typically have between 14 and 20 active players on their rosters. At the college level, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) sets roster limits for each division. For example, NCAA Division I baseball teams are allowed a maximum of 35 players on their rosters.
Youth Baseball Teams
In youth baseball, team sizes are usually smaller compared to their major, minor, or college-level counterparts. Depending on the specific youth baseball association, teams may have between 11 and 15 active players. Little League Baseball is a popular youth baseball organization, and its rosters can consist of 12 to 20 players. However, most Little League teams have rosters in the 12-15 range. Parents are encouraged to be involved in youth baseball at this level.
Historical Development and Changes in Team Rosters
Evolution of Baseball Rosters
The history of baseball rosters dates back to the early years of the sport when rosters had a limited number of players. This was mostly due to financial constraints and different game dynamics. Over time, team rosters expanded to accommodate new positions, skill sets, and strategic needs. For instance, during the Great Depression, teams often had fewer players to save money. However, after World War II and the economic recovery, teams began to expand their rosters gradually.
In the 20th century, Major League Baseball (MLB) roster sizes saw a steady increase from 22 to 26 players. This increase ensured that teams had enough players to cover all positions and have reserves for injuries and other contingencies. The active roster, also known as the 26-man roster, consists of starting and reserve players eligible to play for their MLB team. Teams are required to have a minimum of 25 players on their active roster.
Historically, MLB roster regulations have placed a cap on the number of pitchers on a team. For example, before 2020, teams typically had 13 pitchers on their roster. This cap aimed to strike a balance between having enough pitchers for rotation and enough position players to cover the field. In recent years, some teams have experimented with so-called “two-way players”. These are players who can both pitch and play a position, allowing greater flexibility in roster management.
Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic
The Covid-19 pandemic led to significant changes to MLB roster rules. During the shortened 2020 season, teams were allowed to carry up to 30 players on their active rosters for the first two weeks of the season. Then, 28 players through August 31. The expanded roster size aimed to accommodate the increased need for substitutes. This was due to the health and safety protocols in place and the compressed nature of the season.
Additionally, the pandemic led to a temporary expansion in the number of pitchers allowed on a roster. Teams could carry up to 14 pitchers during the 2020 season. This was to help account for the increased likelihood of pitching changes due to the unique circumstances of the season.
The Covid-19 pandemic underscored the necessity for MLB teams to adapt their rosters and regulations in response to extraordinary situations. The changes made during these challenging times may have lasting effects on how teams build and maintain their rosters going forward.