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Baseball Position by Position

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Baseball Position by Position Baseball Position By Position A YOUNG PLAYER MANAGERS G U I D E T O EACH DEFENSIVE POSITION ON THE DIAMOND AND INSIGHT ON BASE RUNNING FOR THE OFFENSE Playing 1st Base A FIRST BASEMAN IS THE PLAYER ON THE TEAM PLAYING DEFENSE WHO FIELDS THE AREA N E A R E S T F I R S T BASE , AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MAJORITY OF PLAYS MADE AT T H AT BASE . IN THE NUMBERING SYSTEM USED TO RECORD DEFENSIVE PLAYS, THE F I R S T BASEMAN IS ASSIGNED THE N U M B E R 3 . A FIRST BASEMAN IS INVOLVED IN MORE PLAYS DURING A GAME THAN ANY OTHER POSITION EXCEPT PITCHER AND CATCHER. 1st Baseman Position / Stance / Footwork The most important job for the first baseman is to catch the ball on a force out at first base. Catching the ball is not quite the same as just playing catch with teammates. A good 1st Baseman must work on catching balls that are bounced in the dirt. The beginning position for a 1st baseman will be about where the cutout of the infield grass starts (most fields 6 to 10 feet) towards second base and a couple feet behind 1st Base. On a ball put in play, quick reaction to 1st base is essential. If the ball is not hit directly at you, glance quickly to about where the ball is going and get to 1st base quickly and DO NOT WATCH the ball to see what happens. Your first job is to get to the base. As you move to the bag you will want to “straddle” the base with a foot on the front side and the back side (side facing the catcher and side facing right field) of the base. As the ball is fielded and a throw is being made you want to place your throwing side foot on the middle edge of the side facing 2nd base (inside of the base). You will want the instep of your foot to be on the edge of the base with the ball of your foot on the ground pushing back onto the base. Note: If the ball is hit to the in front of the pitchers mound your LEFT foot should rest on the inside part of the base so you give as big a target as possible as the throw will be coming from “behind” the runner. Make a Target! Hold your glove up around the middle of your chest. This will give the fielder of the ball a good target. Your arm should be slightly bent and your glove in a “flat” and open position. Stretch to every catch. After, and only after, the ball is thrown do you step with your glove side foot towards where the ball is being thrown. This step should be as large as comfortable in order to receive the ball in as fast as time as possible. You must keep your throwing side foot on the base! DO NOT stretch before the ball is on its way. This is a common mistake and doing so can get you out of position to catch the ball. As the ball travels to 1st base the player steps on the edge of the base with proper foot and stretches to oncoming ball to receive it in as short a distance as possible beating the runner by fractioins of a second! Steve Pearce with proper footwork Getting yourself ready is very important. As the pitcher releases the ball you should get yourself ready for the ball to be hit at you. 3rd base is called the “Hot Corner” but if the batter is a lefty, a hard hit ball can be upon you so fast that you may have little time to react. BE READY! Albert Pujols perfect ready position as the ball is pitched 1st Baseman Playing the Position – Basics 1 Your job as a first baseman will have you playing in many different areas of the field in normal play. No runner on 1st Base Play 6 to 10 feet off the 1st base line and a couple feet behind the base. You may have to shift your position if you know how the batter hits the ball, but this standard starting position will help you cover the base on a ball put in play. Runner on 1st Base (league allows runner to lead off) or Position for pick off attempt after leading off. Play on the front side of the base. Place your right foot just in front of the front side of the base. Some players actually place their foot and have it touching the front side. Either is proper. Place your left foot so you are in an athletic position with your shoulders square to the pitcher – body is facing the pitchers mound. Give the pitcher a target with your glove and have it centered on your body like you would be receiving a throw from a fielder during a normal play at 1st base. If the ball is hit to the right side, towards you and the 2nd baseman only move towards the ball if you think you can field it by moving three to four steps to your right. Any further than that and getting back to 1st base to cover and catch an oncoming throw will be difficult. If ball is hit to your right side and you are able to get to the ball, expect the pitcher to cover first or you can wave the pitcher off and run to the base for the out if you believe you can easily beat the batter-runner. If the ball is hit to the left side (3rd or SS), quickly get to the base and ready yourself for the throw. Be ready to stretch for the throw or catch it if bounced. Upon catching the ball, step off the base quickly. This helps from being potentially stepped on by the batter-runner. Don’t remove your foot from the base early as the ump will call that and the runner will be called safe! 1st Baseman Playing the Position – Basics 2 Always be aware of all other base runners after a play at 1st base. Runners at other bases are free to continue running. Don’t argue calls with an ump or get upset about a call. Games have been lost even in the Majors (MLB) because a first baseman got upset at a call and forgot about a runner at third going home. MOVE MOVE MOVE! When a throw is off target you must make every effort to catch or stop the ball. Your first responsibility is to not allow the ball to get by you so runners can not advance on a poorly thrown ball. Don’t let a single turn into a double or triple because you let a wild throw get by first base. When the ball is hit into the outfield, you must move out of the batter-runners way so they can freely round 1st and move to 2nd if they want. If the ball is hit to Left field, you should move towards 2nd base and back up the 2nd baseman. You should not move any closer than about half the way to second. This will allow you to get back to first and behind a runner if a pickle (run down) starts because the runner tries to get back to 1st base upon realizing they are not going to make it to second safely. If the ball is hit to right field you must be ready for a throw. It is not advised for an outfielder to try and get the batter-runner out at first, but sometimes because of the position of the RF and the speed of the ball that was hit, a play can be made at 1st. Be aware! Practice catching the ball on both the forehand and backhand sides. You will need to be able to catch bases throw to both your left and right side. Also practice catching balls that are bounded to you. Many throws to first will be rushed and end up short and bounced to you. You MUST be comfortable at catching the ball! After catching the ball at first, get the ball back to the pitcher in a quick fashion. Do not hold onto the ball after catching 1st Baseman Playing the Position - Bunts Your job as a first baseman will normally be to rush any bunt attempt. You are responsible for the area down the right field line and towards the pitchers mound. Think of it as a line drawn from home plate to a normal position of the 2nd baseman. Remember, the pitcher and catcher will cover very short or up the middle bunts. No runner on 1st Base Play 6 to 10 feet off the 1st base line but now play on the grass or on the edge of the grass (inside the runners path from 1st to 2nd) Runner on 1st Base (league allows runner to lead off) or Position for pick off attempt after leading off. Play on the front side of the base. You still want to hold the runner! As the pitch is made you will advance towards home plate. Remember to rush towards the batter and be ready for the batter to “slap-hit” the ball instead of bunting. Be ready to move out of the way of the pitcher or catcher. They will have an easier throw as they are moving in the direction of the throw and unlike you where you will be running away from 1st base, have to pick up the ball and turn completely around in order to make the throw.
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