text: what is the difference between the base positions in softball?   well, being a softball player for years (slow pitch), i can tell you that 1st base holds a lot of responsibility....you will need someone who can jump higher than trees to catch a tall ball, someone that is made of rubber to stretch to get hold of wild balls, that sort of thing...  all joking aside, 1st base is the most important position on the field. it takes someone who keeps their head in the game at all times and someone willing to get run over once and a while.  3rd base is a dangerous spot though. i have found that the majority of batters are right handed and a lot of those balls will fly straight down 3rd base line. also, you need someone with a good throwing arm to play 3rd so that if the play is at 1st, they can get it there without a wild throw.  also, remember that a lot of people are learning to "place hit" which means that they will seek out the weaker players on a team and drill them.  hope this helps!!