fielded

Fielded is the past tense and past participle of field, a verb with several related meanings. In general use, to field something means to receive, answer, or deal with it as it is offered. This can apply to questions, calls, or requests, as in a journalist’s question being fielded at a press conference or a customer service center fielding inquiries. The term also implies managing or addressing items in a systematic way.

In sports, fielding refers to the defensive play carried out in the playing field. A team that is adept at fielding can prevent opposing runs by catching or stopping batted balls and throwing to bases. Fielding duties are performed by players positioned in the field, known as fielders. Fielding performance is measured by statistics such as fielding percentage, putouts, assists, and errors, and is a key component of many sports including baseball, cricket, and field hockey.

In data collection and research, fielding has a specialized sense. To field a survey or poll means to administer it and collect responses from respondents. For example, researchers fielded a questionnaire across multiple regions to gather attitudes on a topic. The term is also used in journalism and public relations when a spokesperson or official fields questions from the media.

The word originates from the literal sense of acting in the field to handle tasks offered in that context; over time it acquired the broader figurative uses described above.