`Thin Baseballers Play 2nd Base, Heavier Ones at 3rd`

Those new to baseball or unfamiliar with the sport`s rules first check the looks and movements of players.

The athletes wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants. Though their faces are the only part uncovered, their tight uniforms attract fan attention given their tight thighs and strong leg muscles.

It is not uncommon either to see players with a beer belly. People say baseball is one of the few sports fat people can play, though only certain positions. The Dong-A Ilbo compared the heights and weights of major players on the Korean Baseball Organization`s eight pro teams. All-Star candidates were the main target and teams selected one layer per position.

The average designated hitter weighed the most at 93.8 kilograms (206 pounds), mainly because the position has many strong athletes and does not require defense.

Catchers and first basemen came next. The average weight of both positions was 91.3 kilograms (201 pounds). This year’s heaviest baseballer Choi Joon-seok of the Doosan Bears (117 kilograms or 258 pounds) raised the average for designated hitters, but catchers and first basemen also tend to be heavy. They do not move a lot, and just catch the ball from the catcher or infielder.

Third basemen, however, weigh as much as catchers or first basemen. Lee Dae-ho of the Lotte Giants (100 kilograms or 220 pounds) and Kim Dong-joo of the Doosan Bears (98 kilograms or 216 pounds) are among the heaviest at their position, but few fans believe this.

The lightest guys on the field are second basemen (average 76.1 kilograms or 167 pounds) and shortstops (average 77.9 kilograms or 171 pounds) given the nimbleness and speed required at both positions.

They have to move quickly to check runner on base and be able to make the double play and reverse motion. The average height of second basemen is 178.6 centimeters (5-feet-10) and that of shortstops 179.6 centimeters (5-feet-11).

Third basemen need power hitting ability but not a quick response time.

MBC sports anchor Heo Gu-yeon said, “Since coaches tend to deploy fast and good defenders at second base or shortstop and not third base, third basemen are more likely to be powerful hitters.”

Center fielder is the lightest position in the outfield. They run the longest distance because they cover more area than leftfielders and rightfielders do. Lee Jong-wook of Doosan (77 kilograms or 170 pounds), and Lee Dae-hyung of the LG Twins (78 kilograms or 172 pounds) are good examples.

Big shoulders and powerful throwing arms are welcomed because leftfielders and rightfielders are further distant from the diamond than infielders.

hanwshin@donga.com