First Base

• Desirable Characteristics:
• 1. should be tall and agile
• 2. should have quick hands and feet
• 3. preferable if left handed making it easier to field bunts and throw to third base
• 4. should be able to hit with some power
• You must ALWAYS play close enough to the base to be able to take the throw
• Straddle the base with your feet while waiting for the throw
• if the throw is on line, stretch out and catch it
• if the throw is on the homeplate side of first, put your right foot on the bag and stretch with your left
• if the throw is on the outfield side of first, put your left foot on the base and stretch with your right foot
• When throwing to the pitcher covering first, throw shoulder high at least two steps before the base; throw it, don’t toss it unless you are very close; you can throw more accurately than tossing
• When holding a runner on base, put your pivot foot on the base and the other foot shoulder width apart towards the pitcher
• Pop off of the base and cover your position or you will create a large hole in the infield
• Charge hard on bunts
• Let EVERYONE know if the runner is stealing; be loud
• You are responsible for taking relay throws to home on hits to center and right fields
• On a dropped third strike that goes to the screen, clear yourself for the throw from the catcher to the outside of the baseline
• Back-up throws to second base from the left and center fields
• In a close game, guard the line in later innings