Chapter 6. First Baseman Play

On a ball hit to any infielder, the first baseman hustles quickly to the bag to establish himself as a target. He wants to catch the ball as soon as possible and, simultaneously, tag the base for the put-out. He will be knocked down by the runner, however, if he stands on top of the base. If he stands in back of the base and the runner passes between him and the thrown ball, the ball is apt to hit the runner and the put-out opportunity will be lost. The only logical place to stand and receive the ball is in front of the base.

As soon as the first baseman determines that he will not be fielding the ball, he runs to the base, placing his feet so the heels touch the side nearest the fielder. In this position, he doesn't have to turn his head away from the fielder to locate the base. He knows where it is. He also knows the runner has room to cross the bag. Thus, he need only concentrate on the throw.

First baseman races to cover bag when ball is hit to any other infield position. Note placement of feet.
	Fig. 26

When catching the ball, the first baseman should never let one foot cross the position of the other. He should make what is known as a "three-step" move. If the ball is to the right, the first baseman takes a short step to the right with his right foot. He then places his left foot against the perpendicular inside surface of the bag-still leaving the entire top of the base free for the runner. To complete the move, he takes a big step forward with the right foot while pushing away from the bag with the left. The maneuver is repeated to the left, when the ball is thrown to the left. When catching a ball directly in front, the right-handed first baseman should start his three-step move with his left foot. Thus, his feet are in proper position to make a throw. The reverse applies if the first baseman is left-handed.

Fig. 27	Fig. 28
In sketch above left, first baseman makes three-step move to right. Move to left is shown in next sketch.

On high throws that can be caught in front of the base, the first sacker has no choice but to reach as high as he can to make the catch. High throws out of reach in front of the base can sometimes be caught in back of the bag or in foul ground. In this case, the first baseman should skip across the base into foul ground, with his toes touching the bag. If he can catch the ball with a stretch, fine. If not, he should jump, make the catch and kick the outside of the base as he comes down (still leaving the top of the bag free).

On wild throws, the first baseman-and this applies to any baseman should forget the base and concentrate on catching, or knocking the ball down.

Occasionally, an infielder will throw the ball on the home plate side of 1st and too wide for a normal put-out. The first baseman should forget the bag, make the catch and try to tag the runner.

The first baseman should play any ground ball he thinks lie can reach (again, this applies to any fielder). If he fields a ball deep to his right with 1st unoccupied, he should toss the ball to the pitcher, whose job is to cover the bag. If he can make the put-out himself by running to the base and touching it, he should do so and wave the pitcher off. Never risk a throw if it's not necessary.

Assuming, however, that the first baseman has fielded a ball far to his right, he still has a tricky job ahead of him-getting the ball to the pitcher who is dashing over to cover 1st. The first baseman wants to pass the ball to the pitcher quickly and yet make the throw easy to handle. A fairly hard, underhand toss that is chest high and "leads" the pitcher will do the job nicely. The throwing hand, however, ought to be away from the body. If the throwing hand is in line with the body, the white ball will blend with the light-colored uniform and the pitcher may lose sight of it. (If the first baseman is more than 25 feet away from the pitcher, he should throw overhand.)

On balls hit to his left, he can continue left and touch the base.

On throws from the catcher on bunts or topped balls in fair territory, the first baseman should put his left foot against the 2nd base side of 1st base and make the target well to the inside. On throws from behind the plate, the first baseman makes his target in foul territory, with his right foot on the foul side of 1st base.

With a Runner on First

These maneuvers change with a runner on 1st. If the ball is hit to the right, the first baseman should field the ball and fire to 2nd for the double play (less than two out). The left-handed first baseman has an advantage here-he doesn't have to pivot to make the throw to 2nd. The right-hander, however, after fielding the ball, must pivot right (left side facing 2nd base) to throw. After throwing, he should hustle to 1st to catch the return throw and complete the DP. If the second baseman is there to handle the throw, however, he should duck out of the way.

On balls hit far to his left with a runner on 1st, the first baseman should start the double play in "reverse." Rather than stop, pivot and try to throw to 2nd, he can continue to 1st, touch the base to retire the batsman, then throw on to 2nd. The second baseman, with the "force" removed, however, must now tag the runner coming down from 1st.

HOLDING THE RUNNER

Keeping the runner close to the base is one of the first sacker's biggest assignments in leagues in which stealing is permitted. While it appears to be a routine chore, it must never be treated routinely. The first baseman must constantly "play the runner" on all but two occasions-when 2nd base is occupied and when his team is so far in front that one run for the team at bat is unimportant.

For all right-hand hitters, the first baseman can play the runner by taking a position at the bag and inside the imaginary line that runs between 1st and 2nd. With a left- hand hitter at the plate, he plays in his normal fielding position, but before and after the pitch darts to the bag to worry the runner, or take a throw.

With a right-hander at bat, the right-handed first baseman straddles the corner of the base that points to 3rd. His right foot and leg does not block the base, but leaves at least half of it open so the runner leading away has a clear return path. This first baseman faces the general direction of the shortstop which permits him to see the pitcher clearly, yet reach the open part of the base with his glove hand. The left-handed first baseman can put his right foot on the home plate side of the base and have his body turned more to the right.

Right hand first baseman stands as indicated to hold runner close to base.
	Fig. 29

Whether right-handed, or left-handed, the first baseman wants to catch the ball and make the tag in one motion. A down-and-back sweep of the arm brings the glove to the ground on the open side of the base, forcing the runner to tag himself out as he returns.

When the first baseman realizes... [Chapter Incomplete]

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