First Base Play

One infield position at which size is a definite asset is first base. A tall first baseman with long arms and legs is at an advantage since a throw gets to him moments quicker than when an average-sized player with normal arms and legs is stationed at first base.

It is easy to visualize the advantages a tall first baseman has over one of average size. He can jump higher for high throws; reach farther into the infield for low throws. Also, he presents a better target for the fielders to throw at. But sometimes size may be a handicap, especially if the tall first baseman is "tangle-footed.

Good footwork is necessary for a first baseman if he is to field his position in good fashion. He must know how to shift his arms and feet for throws coming to his left or to his right. He must be quick about leaving his bag and returning to it when he is forced to stretch for a thrown ball. Since a first baseman does not play close to his base when it is unoccupied, he must be fast enough to dash from his normal fielding position to the bag in order to get into position to take a throw.

In addition to all the many quick foot moves involved in taking a throw at the bag, the first baseman must also be adept at fielding grounders, going back for short infield pops and racing to the side for foul flies.

Should the first baseman be a left-handed or right-handed thrower? There are advantages when he is a left-hander, but they are so slight that no right-handed player who possesses all the qualifications to play first base should feel that he may not be able to measure up to standard. At one time left-handers predominated as first basemen in the major leagues. This is no longer true. In fact, in recent years the major-league teams have sometimes kept two first basemen on their roster, one for his hitting ability, the other for his fielding skills — one a left-hander, the other a right-hander.

Some coaches prefer a left-handed first baseman only because of the throwing advantage. When a left-handed first baseman throws to second or third base, his left foot is usually in the back, or pivot position. Thus, the left-handed first baseman, after making a catch, need only step in the direction of the throw. Normally, a right-handed first baseman will have his right foot as the rear foot. This means he will have to take a body turn when throwing to second or third base, thus there is the loss of a moment's time in getting the throw away.

These same coaches also claim that the left-hander is better equipped to start and complete the "3-6-3" double play. This is the double play that starts with a grounder to the first baseman who throws to shortstop for the put-out at second base. The shortstop then fires back to the first baseman to complete the double play. On this play there is no doubt that the left-hander has the advantage since he does not have to pivot with his body when getting off the initial throw to second base. The advantage, however, is not one of greater fielding ability but, again, a saving in time consumed in getting off the throw.

Foot Movements. — When getting into position for a throw from an infielder, the first baseman assumes an open stance. This baseman (above) is facing the thrower, feet in position to shift either left or right. His feet are a few inches in front of the bag. Some first basemen do not place their foot on the bag when getting into position to catch the throw. Many will remain in the ready position and then quickly draw back their tag foot against the inside of the bag.

The throw is toward the outfield side of the base and this fielder (below) plays it correctly. Left foot on the bag, right foot extended. This fielder is touching too much of the bag. It is not necessary to keep so much of his foot on the bag. Just the toe, where possible, or the heel, should be placed against the bag. This allows the first baseman a longer reach and also cuts down the possibility of an accidental spiking by the runner if his running

momentum carries him to the inside of the bag.

This first baseman (above) has less of his foot on the bag, but his heel could still be placed a bit lower and more to the inside. The throw is on his right, therefore the right-hander stretches into the diamond, left foot touching the bag.

Just which foot is placed on the bag when taking the throw from an infielder depends on proper body balance and the direction of the throw. A right-handed first baseman normally takes a direct throw with his right foot on the bag, as demonstrated by this first baseman (below left). Also, if the throw veers to the left of this first baseman, he will keep the same pivot foot on the bag. If the throw is to the right, he will place his left foot on the bag. (Reverse all these foot movements for a left-hander.)

Throws from the other infielders are not always on target. The first baseman may have to stretch left and right, high and low. Sometimes he may have to back up to take a throw that comes on a bounce. This first baseman (below right) is in position to pick up a low throw on the long hop. He keeps his right foot on the bag since the hop is coming in on his left side. The long hop is played with the first baseman standing in the foul territory side of the bag. If he plays a long hop coming at him from the right side, his right foot will be in the rear as he keeps the toe of his left foot in contact with the bag. (Left-hander will use opposite foot movements.)

A different foot movement is necessary when catching high throws. Many first basemen like to keep one foot on the bag and stretch as high as possible. This can be dangerous. If the first baseman is uncertain about whether he can reach the throw and still keep his foot on the bag, he is in trouble. When in doubt, jump for the high throw, as this fielder, and get both feet off the ground. This is the surest way and, even if he gets back to the bag too late for the put-out, he has at least prevented an overthrow (above). A short hop is a low, bouncing thrown ball the first baseman (right) must reach for on the inside of the diamond. Again, the position of the feet depends upon the direction in which the throw is coming from the infielder. Left foot on bag when stretching to the right; right foot on bag when stretching to the left. The stretch must be as far into the diamond as possible and extra effort should be made to grab the ball the moment it hops off the ground. This fielder keeps his left foot in contact with the bag as he steps toward the ball with his right foot. Notice how he forms a catching pocket by keeping his two small fingers close together.

Reliable Joe Adcock (above) is the perfect example of the right-handed, rangy-type first baseman. Joe is six feet, four inches and has a tremendous reach. Here he stretches far toward the home plate side of first base to grab a low throw off to his left. Notice how his right foot touches the home plate side of the bag.

Here is one of those "bang-bang" plays (opposite page) in which the runner and the ball seem to be arriving simultaneously. The first baseman is taking the throw on his left side, thus his right foot is on the bag. From this photograph it doesn't appear as if the first baseman is doing everything required of him. He doesn't seem to be overextending himself in stretching for the ball. His left leg and glove hand do not seem to be stretched too far into the infield. Of course, it's possible that the first baseman realizes that the runner definitely has the play beaten and is just waiting to receive the ball. Even so, he should be in better position, thus giving the ball every chance to beat the runner.

Taking the Throw. — Sometimes a throw comes in at such a peculiar angle that the stretch seems a bit awkward. Norman Cash (above), a left-hander, seems to be stretching to his left for this throw. If so, why is he violating the accepted techniques by keeping his left, and not his right, foot on the bag? Well, some first basemen, whenever they are able to maintain body balance, feel more comfortable by keeping the same foot on the bag no matter in which direction they stretch for the throw. Cash, however, has his right leg bent at an unusual angle.

His tag foot is in perfect position — toe against the inside of the bag, allowing him just a trifle more stretching room, which, sometimes, can be the difference between an out and a safe call by the umpire.

Hustling Orlando Cepeda makes a fine but futile effort (opposite page, below) to nail the runner who already has reached the bag. Cepeda, who is not regarded as a polished first baseman, places his bare hand on the ground in order to maintain his body balance.

Here is a beauty. This is a split worthy of a ballet dancer, and the graceful Gil Hodges (below) shows how a right-handed first baseman touches the bag with his right toe as he stretches out for a direct low throw.

This runner strayed a bit too far from the bag and No. 25, Jack Brandt (right), playing first base, is about to reach down with his glove for the tag. Brandt took the throw from his catcher and wheeled halfway around to get into the tag position.

A first baseman also has to take throws from the pitcher and the catcher when a runner already is on first base. His fielding position is much different than when taking a throw from a fielder in order to cut the batter down at first base. Right-handed Bob Skinner (left), who played first base in this game, is in the accepted position for holding a runner on first base. He has his right foot against the corner of the bag, his left close to the foul line. Upon receiving the ball from the pitcher, attempting to keep the runner from taking too big a lead, he turned toward the right and tagged the runner with his gloved hand. The left-handed first baseman doesn't have to turn his body. On taking the pitcher's throw, he merely reaches down with his right (glove) hand to touch the sliding runner.

Stylish Marv Throneberry (above) reaches for the runner's ankle as he takes this pick-off attempt from the catcher. Since he was facing the batter on this play, he has to turn his body to reach the runner, Jim Piersall.

A first baseman who is left-handed has a definite advantage on this type of play. On the opposite page you will note how both Skinner and Brandt, after receiving the ball, must sweep from left to right in order to make a tag on the base-runner. Such a sweep is not necessary by the left-handed first baseman. He catches the ball and flicks downward and toward the runner's ankle, all in one motion. Also, the pitcher or catcher, when throwing to the first baseman, can throw to the gloved-hand side of the left-handed first baseman without worrying about whether it will be too far over to the side for the first baseman to reach. Therefore the throw is made to the right of the left-handed first baseman. A throw made to the right of a right-handed first baseman is not as catchable and the chance for error is much greater.

In the next professional game you see, pay particular attention to the pitcher's throw to a left-handed first baseman on a pick-off attempt. The pitcher will invariably throw to the right of the first baseman at a spot between the first baseman's right knee and right ankle. This type of throw to a right-handed first baseman is dangerous.

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