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Hit the title/read more to see detailed explanations on each position in baseball...
Catcher
The catcher normally calls the pitches the pitcher will throw, as well as having to quickly throw to second or third base to catch out runners trying to steal a base.
Catching is by far the most demanding fielding position physically, and most teams will carry two or even three catchers, to enable them to give the starter a day off regularly. Hitting ability is not considered a primary requirement for a catcher (it's a bonus) and usually a catcher will be found batting towards the bottom of the lineup.
The ability to "call a game" is also critical, reading the pitcher's rhythm, knowing which pitches to call and when. The catcher will make a signal to the pitcher for which pitch he wants (the pitcher can't signal, because the hitter is watching him) and if the pitcher doesn't like it you'll see him "shake him off", asking the catcher for a new signal.
Sometimes you'll see a pitcher repeatedly shake off the catcher, in which case the catcher may well walk over and have a discussion with the pitcher about why he's calling what he's calling. It's not a good sign if the pitcher and catcher aren't in sync.
First Base
The first baseman protects the first base line, and has to normally cover first base (which is where most balls are thrown). It's rare for him to have to throw the ball (usually only to second base to execute a "double play") and he doesn't have to move much either.
It's not uncommon for a team to "hide" an ageing, power-hitter at first base.
As the first baseman doesn't have to tag runners (he only needs to tag the bag) you'll often see him with one foot touching the bag, and stretching to reach an errant throw - if the throw is so far away he's "pulled off the bag" and won't make the out.
Shortstop
The shortstop is generally considered the key fielding position in the team, and until the 1990's it was rare for teams to worry about having a shortstop who could also hit.
He normally fields in the gap between the second and third basemen and needs to be quick, agile and an expert at throwing to first or second base to catch out runners (and deciding which to throw to).
He also often serves as a relay man for throws coming in from the outfield - rather than outfielders throwing long arcing (and therefore slow) throws to one of the bases, they'll throw hard and flat to the "cutoff man" who then relays it at speed to a base.
Throwing to the cut-off man also then gives the fielding side the option of making as late a decision as possible as to where the best chance of making an out may lie if there is more than one base runner, or preventing base runners from advancing on a fruitless long throw to home plate.
Second Base
The second baseman is usually second in ability to the shortstop, and the two work closely together. More often than not, if the shortstop takes a day off, the starting second baseman will play short instead.
Many of his skills are the same as the shortstop, but he also needs to be able to "turn the double play" at second, taking a quick throw from another infielder, tagging the bag and in the same motion "pivoting" and throwing to first base (often whilst a runner slides in to second to try and "break up" the double play). Often the shortstop and second basemen will swap roles on this (if the second baseman fields the ball, the shortstop will be the "pivot".
Third Base
The third baseman probably sees the least of the ball of any of the infielders, but when he does see it, it's usually travelling quickly. He fields in the position where a right-handed hitter pulls a ground ball, and his position is often known as the "hot corner". He needs to have a powerful arm, as he is normally throwing "across the diamond" (from third to first) as well as good mobility, as most bunts are fielded by the third baseman.
Center Field/Left Field/Right Field
The three outfielders are normally fairly interchangeable, and normally selected less for their fielding ability than for their hitting ability.
The center fielder is generally the best fielder, as he has the most ground to cover, coming in short to field any balls "blooped" over the short-stop and second baseman, or deep to field any balls driven to the wall.
The left fielder tends to be busier than the right fielder, because he has to deal with deep balls pulled by right handed hitters, whilst the right fielder tends to need to have the strongest arm because of the long throw to third base.
Communication is key amongst the outfielders, as a collision between two outfielders racing for the same ball is one of the most dangerous aspects of all baseball. They also need to have strong arms, to get fly balls or ground balls thrown back into the infield as quickly as possible, as well as good range to track down a ball hit in the gaps which may go to the outfield wall on the ground.
Leaping ability can also be a bonus - an outfielder is allowed to leap and reach over the wall to catch a ball which would otherwise be disappearing for a home run.
The "Bench"
Major League Baseball teams are normally allowed to have twenty-five players on their roster for each game, and will normally carry thirteen or fourteen "position players". In addition to the eight starters, a team will normally have a backup catcher, a backup outfielder (or two) and two backup infielders (or two). One of these may be the Designated Hitter if it's in use.
These players start the game as "the bench" and can be used as substitutes at any time, whether in case of injury, fatigue (rare for hitters), tactical reasons or because one of the starters has been thrown out of the game by the umpires.
Scoring Positions
Each position is assigned a number for scoring purposes:- Pitcher - 1, Catcher - 2, First Baseman - 3, Second Baseman - 4, Third Baseman - 5, Shortstop - 6, Left Fielder - 7, Centre Fielder - 8, Right Fielder - 9. For example, if the short stop fields the ball and throws to first base to tag out the runner it'll be referred to as a "6-3 out".
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