How many players take the field for a baseball team on defense?

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Freddie Freeman of the Los Angeles Dodgers, wearing a white uniform and helmet, watches his hit while holding a bat during a game at Dodger Stadium. — Baseball Freddie Freeman, shown here in a 2023 game, was named World Series MVP in 2024 after hitting four home runs and driving in 12 runs for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In baseball, nine players take the field for a team on defense.1

These players are organized into three primary categories:
* The Battery: The pitcher and the catcher.1
* Infielders: The first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, and shortstop.1
* Outfielders: The left fielder, center fielder, and right fielder.1

While a designated hitter may bat in place of the pitcher, this player does not take the field on defense.1