First Base

The first base player must have a good glove. A tall player can reach throws that are a little off target. When the she is about to catch a throw for a force out, the she should put the opposite foot of her glove hand on the base. Someone who catches the ball with their left hand should have their right foot on the base. This will give them the greatest range for catching off target throws.

I like to position the first base player one or two step in front of the base and one step off the foul line. That way, no fair ball should get past her between the foul line and her. An 8U or 10U team, I may have them play up a couple steps closer to home. She should be able to easily field the ball and step on 1st base or tag the runner out.

If there is a bunting situation, she should take an additional step toward home to put her in a better position to charge the ball. If the batter squares to bunt, she should be “crashing” down toward home. Always keep the glove up in case the batter quickly draws the bat back and swings. If the bunt comes her way, she should get the “sure out”. The 2nd base player will be covering 1st base for the throw. A sacrifice bunt is giving up the out in order to advance a runner to another base. To get the lead runner sounds good, but seldom happens. The only time that you want to get the lead runner for sure is if the lead runner is going home for the game winning run.

When a ball is hit between 1st base and 2nd base, the first reaction should be toward 2nd base. If it is out of her range to field, she can quickly retreat to cover the bag for the throw. If it is not out of her range, she should field the ball. Her angle of pursuit should be toward the short stop. This way she, pitcher and 2nd base should not run into each other. If she is fielding the ball several steps away from her starting spot, the pitcher or 2nd base player will be covering the bag for the throw. If she is close enough to the bag after fielding the ball to make the play herself, she should therefore minimizing the chance of an error. If she can not make the play herself, make the toss to her team mate.

A ball hit to the 3rd base side of the infield should make her react about one step that direction but she should have plenty of time to retreat to 1st base for the throw.

When she is about to catch a throw for a force out, the player should put the opposite foot of her glove hand on the base. Someone who catches the ball with their left hand should have their right foot on the base. This will give them the greatest range for catching off target throws.

When there is a deep hit to the outfield, the first base player will be the back up for the catcher. They should go back by the backstop where they can quickly catch or retrieve an off target throw to home.

She and the 3rd base players has priority on pop flies over the pitcher and catcher, but if anyone else calls for the ball, they should back off and allow the other player to make the play. If you have the angle on a pop fly that the pitcher or catcher are going after, speak up, and make sure they hear you. This will avoid running into each other causing an error or worse yet, injury.

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