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A starting lineup in sports refers to the set of players actively participating in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes or bench players.

The starters are commonly the best players on the team at their respective positions. Consequently, there is often a bit of prestige that is associated with being a starter. In both baseball and basketball, it is common for players' positions to be denoted by a number as well as by a name. In that instance, the associated number is used as well. If a common abbreviation is known, the abbreviation is listed after the associated number.

Contents 1 Baseball starting lineup 2 Basketball starting lineup 3 Ice hockey starting lineup 4 Association football (soccer) starting lineup 5 Netball starting lineup 6 Australian rules football starting lineup 7 See also

The starting lineup in baseball comprises either nine or ten players. In the National League of Major League Baseball, there are nine players in the starting lineup and all players bat. American League teams have the option of using a designated hitter (DH) in place of the pitcher in the batting order. The DH does not play when the team is on defense.

1. P - Pitcher
2. C - Catcher
3. 1B - First baseman
4. 2B - Second baseman
5. 3B - Third baseman
6. SS - Shortstop
7. LF - Left fielder
8. CF - Center fielder
9. RF - Right Fielder
10. DH - Designated hitter

The starting lineup on a basketball team is usually compromised of five positions:

1. PG - Point guard
2. SG - Shooting guard
3. SF - Small forward
4. PF - Power forward
5. C - Center

In ice hockey, a team starts out with six players on the ice:

• Two defencemen
• A Goaltender
• A Centreman
• A Left-Winger
• A Right-Winger

The most common starting lineup in soccer is called 4-4-2 and consists of:

• A goalkeeper
• Four defenders (may include a sweeper)
• Four midfielders
• Two strikers

In netball, a team starts with seven players on the court:

1. GS - Goal Shooter
2. GA - Goal Attack
3. WA - Wing Attack
4. C - Centre
5. WD - Wing Defence
6. GD - Goal Defence
7. GK - Goal Keeper

In Australian rules football, a team starts with eighteen plays on the field:

1. F - Three forwards (one full-forward, two forward pockets)
2. HF - Three half forwards (one centre-half forward, two half-forward flanks)
3. C - Three centres (one centre, two wing-men)
4. HB - Three half backs (one centre-half back, two half-back flanks)
5. B - Three backs (one full-back, two back pockets)
6. Fol - Three followers (one ruck-man, one ruck-rover, one rover)

• Basketball position