Infield


Infield is a sports term whose definition depends on the sport in whose context it is used.

Baseball

In baseball the baseball diamond plus a region beyond it, has both grass and dirt, in contrast to the more distant, usually grass-covered outfield. It also refers to the defensive unit of players that are positioned in the region: first baseman, second baseman, shortstop, third baseman. Sometimes it includes the catcher and pitcher who are often referred to separately as the battery.
In baseball the physical infield is where most of the action in a baseball game occurs, as it includes that area where the all-important duel between the pitcher and batter takes place. The pitcher stands on the pitcher's mound and from there he pitches the ball to his catcher, who is crouched behind home plate sixty feet, six inches away at what might be called the cutlet of the diamond-shaped baseball field. To the left and right of the catcher are chalk boxes in the dirt called batter's boxes. The opposing team's batter must stand in one of the two boxes and from there he will attempt to hit the pitched ball with his bat. The umpire, who officiates the game, stands behind the catcher. The other important parts of the infield are the three bases, first base, second base and third base. Together, home plate and the three bases form a diamond around the pitcher, with each side of the diamond measuring 90 feet.

Cricket

In cricket infield is a central oval on the cricket field, the reference point for fielding restrictions in short forms of the game; in contrast to the more distant outfield

Tracks

Infield can refer to a region inside a closed horse racing or auto racing track, or to an area encircled by the track of a roller coaster.