How to Play First Base in Baseball
First baseman often have two traits: they are left-handed, and they are great hitters. Being left-handed is by no means a necessity, but being a good hitter is always an advantage-at any position, but it can be particularly useful when trying to win a job at first base. Develop a few key skills to become a great first baseman in baseball.
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Instructions
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Start by learning to throw and catch. As elementary as that might seem, a first baseman "plays catch" more than anyone on the field because almost all ground balls stopped in the infield will result in a throw to first.
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Practice taking throws at first base, and concentrate on balls thrown low and even "short hop" before reaching the first baseman. A good first baseman must be able to "scoop" these low throws, and learn how to "stretch" for a throw at just the right time.
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Learn to field ground balls by increasing your "range," or the amount of ground you can cover and still catch a ground ball.
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Work on hitting skills. Use soft pitch, whiffle balls and batting cages to develop hand eye coordination.
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Try to find a coach who knows the fine points of playing first base. Those skills specifically include holding on base runners, fielding a ground ball and throwing to a pitcher covering first base, beginning a double play and fielding a bunt.
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Try to increase your ability to "hit with power" since this is often an offensive skill shared by first basemen. Study specific forms of weightlifting and consider consulting a hitting coach.
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