Comments on: How to Play First Base

on 8/8/2006 When there is a bunt, and the catcher fields it in front of the base, yell "Inside!" This way, he knows that you are squared up to him. If the catcher mishandles the ball and it rolls behind the plate, then yell "Outside!" Again, have your body squared to the catcher.

on 8/8/2006 On a high fly ball or a pop- up, always keep your body in front of the ball. Try to line up your body right behind the ball. If the ball happens to ricochet off your glove, you can recover and catch the rebound.

on 8/4/2006 Make sure you stretch toward the fielder that is throwing the ball to you. Stretching will cut down on the air time of the ball and give you a few hundredths of a second advantage - which could be very useful in tight situations. Also, when the ball is coming in low don't wait for the short hop, try to stretch and catch the ball before it hits the ground if possible. Don't stretch too far however, you want to make sure you keep one foot on the base.

on 3/29/2006 When a ball is hit to the right side of the outfield, and the play is at the plate, the first basemen usually becomes the cut-off. Stand somewhere inside the grass around the pitchers mound, try to be aligned with the plate.

on 3/22/2006 When you are fielding a ground ball, make sure you keep it in front of you. Even if that means to get on one knee and let it hit you in the chest. You have plenty of time to pick up a ground ball that hits off your chest and either run to the bag or flip the ball to the pitcher covering first. Whatever you do- don't let the ball get past you!

on 1/31/2006 When there is a pick off situation, don't take your normal position, come back behind the base and stand square to the pitcher with your glove in a ready position to take the ball and make the tag.

When a batter is on base at 1st and he takes a big lead, take a couple of steps toward the base to keep him honest (meaning if he wants to steal, he will think twice if you are on first base waiting for the unexpected pick-off).

on 1/9/2006 I play high school ball and before every game (except for home games since we practice on the same field), I have my fielders throw balls in the dirt from their positions. Do that and watch to see how the ball bounces on that surface. Also, before each inning, I use my cleat to clear off the base and the infield side of it to give me better ground to stand on. I also clear the areas where a low throw is bound to go, so there's less of a chance of an awkward bounce off a rock or something. Lastly, on grass infields, watch how the ball bounces off the grass and more importantly off the lip of the grass. Bounces off the lip of the grass and dirt often are the hardest to get to as they bounce so quickly.

on 11/22/2005 If your teammate's throw comes up a little short, be sure to 'scoop' through the ball. You'll want to catch the ball as close to the ground as possible, as it will probably change trajectory a little (or a lot) when it bounces. By getting to the throw as close to the point where it bounces as possible, you don't give the ball as much time to change direction, and you stand a better chance of catching the ball with the glove instead of your body. Keep your eye on the ball the whole time, and scoop the ball with your glove. Continue the motion with your glove all the way up to show the ump you made the catch (if the throw beat the runner).

on 11/22/2005 Wait to stretch until the ball is thrown and you can see where it's going. You can then catch it easier without having to move twice.

on 11/22/2005 When there is a bunt, and the catcher gets it, the base runner is running toward the base. Move your body toward the fences and yell "Outside!" Or, put your body toward the field and yell "Inside!"

on 11/22/2005 I have been playing first base for about a year and a half. It started when I was moved from third to first (because the other third baseman was better than me during our season), so I had to learn first base quickly.

Always keep the ball in front of you for throws and pick-offs. Even if you misjudge and the ball hits you in the leg, keep it in front of you. This way, if the runner gets on base safely, he won't advance. You can try to get him out in a pick-off. Keep the ball in front of you at any cost!

on 11/22/2005 When there is a bunt, and the catcher fields it in front of the base, yell "Inside!" This way, he knows that you are squared up to him. If the catcher mishandles the ball and it rolls behind the plate, then yell "Outside!" Again, have your body squared to the catcher.

on 11/22/2005 If you are comfortable taking pick-off throws at first base, an easy way to throw off the runner is to straddle the bag and drop a knee in front of the bag as soon as you catch the pick-off. By doing so, you force the runner to slide around you, costing him valuable time, making the chances to pick him off better. Also, as soon as you have slapped the tag, lift your glove and look at the ump to give him the impression that you got the runner.

on 11/22/2005 If you know your infielders, then you probably know where they often throw the ball. Say your 3rd baseman throws to the right a lot...Anticipate it because that's where he usually throws, but also be ready for anything.

on 11/22/2005 Especially if you're a left-handed thrower, when there's a pickoff throw to first base, pretend to throw back to the pitcher for the return throw, but instead drop the ball into your glove. Then tag the runner out.