Q1st Challenges

I am 17 years old ballplayer playing at 1st base right now. I can throw far accurateLY as long as it's not to home plate. I don't know if it's fear or mechanics. I also lack scooping skill; it's hard for me to determine in 10th of a second where the ball is going to land and where my gloves should be. Things I do know: I should scoop the ball with glove going up; I should try to attack the ball.

AThe thing to work on with bounce range is simply to practice with a partner to learn how far you can reach and in which direction. One thing we teach our first basemen is to start with both heels on the bag and not commit to the stretch until the ball is coming in and you see which side of the bag it is tailing to - getting out in a stretch before the throw is a mistake a lot of guys make. It's important to have the glove out front but other than absorbing the ball don't overdo the idea of scooping the glove up - a good first base glove should do the work for you. On the throw to home, you are likely not handling the pressure well. Work with your catcher (or another player) who should be 2-3 feet up the line from the plate. Don't think about the plate itself - it has nothing to do with your throw - just focus on the glove, same as any other throw.

QBounce at First

I play first base and I need some tips on stopping the ball when it is thrown to me in the dirt. My teammates have trouble throwing the ball and sometimes I can't stop them. I need some tips on knocking them down and how to keep them from getting by me.

ARead the tips on the first base pages on WebBall closely - one of the keys is understanding your bounce range - how far you can stretch to take balls before the bounce. It may be that you are stretching and then struggling with a short hop whereas if you stayed within your range more, you would let the ball come up to you. Also without the severe stretch you are better able to react to high throws or throws offline (to either side of you).
Also when you do have to go down to get a throw, slap the dirt. Always remember to start with your glove below the ball - get down quick and come up as the ball hops.

QFirst Base Stretch

I have a difference of opinion with the other coach about how to play first base. He is teaching our kids that when the ball is hit get to the bag, stretch out and give the infielders a good target. The problem I have with his way is that he teaches that setting a good target means stepping or strutting out before the ball is thrown. I always was taught that you go to the bag, put both heels against the bag...then wait to see where the ball is thrown and then stretch or step towards the throw. My way you can stretch to a bad throw easier then you can if you have already stretched out and then react. He teaches the kids to come of the bag and stop a bad throw. Most important part is not to let the ball get by you. I agree, but also believe if you are standing with both heels against the bag (with your feet underneath you) it will be easier for you to come off the bag and stop a bad throw...

You are right - that is what I teach, but it may be that WebBall doesn't make that clear - I will make it clearer. With the both-heels technique you can move either way from the bag and still maintain contact. Of course, it is still best to catch with the glove near the glove side leg but it is also important to know your bounce range (we do talk about that) and if you commit to an early stretch you have no chance to recover.

QFirst Base Trapper

Does first baseman's mitt make a difference in scoops or any other glove plays at first base and how so? I'm 14 and I play on an all-star team and a traveling team, and I've seen people with mitts, and some without.

AThe first base trapper can make a difference in 2 ways - it's longer (and the only fielding glove allowed to be that size) so it gives you a couple of extra inches in reach [see answer above]. The mitt-style trapper helps direct balls into the pocket (somewhat like a catcher's mitt). I've also seen guys at your age level do very well without it. And I think for a very simple reason. A good first baseman's glove is an extra expense - and if you play other positions you still need a good glove for those times as well and might be very comfortable with it.

QFootwork at First

My son is ten and Coach moved him from shortstop to first - he's a lefty. How can he learn (how can I teach) the footwork of the position? We both know the game and the fundamentals pretty well, but neither of us have played first.

AFirst question - why was he ever at short? Watching a lefthand shortstop make a glove side grab then turn and throw to first is almost as painful as watching a secondbaseman do it.

As for footwork at first, WebBall's basic page for first doesn't overemphasize the stretch because I think the whole stretch thing has gotten out of hand. (It's one of the item's in the Feb99 pet peeves survey.)

Two rules to remember...

1. Don't stretch on every throw, not unless it's close.
2. Know your bounce zone - your range of stretch beyond which you're better to take it on the hop.

Also, when covering a runner, have the right foot tight to the infield edge of the bag - that's the natural lefty advantage at first - glove side is closer to the runner. And when you take the throw, flex your knees, get down low so the glove can sweep the leading edge of the bag. And, one more thing, while not all umpires call it, and while some coaches actually suggest it - you can't straddle the bag with a foot in foul territory - that's a no-no.

QLefty on First

Where should a Left Hander have their feet in relationship to the bag when holding a runner on. And why as compared to a Right hander.

ARight foot against the edge of the bag that's toward home plate. The right hand glove (on a leftie) makes for an easy swipe tag.

With a left hand glove (i.e. Right Hander) it's harder. I usually suggest the same location, because there isn't much else to do - straddling the bag (left foot on the home plate side, right foot on the outfield side sort of works but the glove angle could result in balls popping loose. Remember: officially (i.e. if the umpire notices) at the beginning of a play, the feet have to be in fair territory.

QLocked on Bag

I learned many moons ago not to lock your foot onto the base until you had dtermined the accuracy of the throw and then to reach back with your foot. Younger players now seem determined to keep their foot on the base and try to stretch for the throw 10 feet off line

AYou are right, they are not. Try to break them of the habit. Step 1. is catch the ball. Step 2. is tag the base. It is no use having a foot on the bag without the ball in your glove. Firstbasemen should be able to shuffle side to side along the line. Don't make the mistake of putting someone at first who is stiff - you want lateral ability not someone frozen to the bag, and you want a great glove.While on the topic of footwork...

QMove to First

I have moved from third base to first base, and wanted to ask if there were any drills that I could do to improve my footwork. Basically everything about first base. If you can give me any tips or anything information at all it would be appreciated. P.S. I have asked my coaches several times for help but it's hard during season, and I have a feeling that they really wouldn't know what to tell me even if they tried. I have the dedication to work as hard as possible but, I have no direction.

AThe most important thing to learn about first is your range and the bounce zone - learning to judge when a stretch is in order or when you should stay back on the line and take it on the hop.

There are some tips on my first base page about this (or click on that field position when you see it).

The other major factors are the coverage adjustment (on bunts, double plays) which a good secondbaseman should help with - you need to become partners.

Finally, it's getting to know your pitchers better and what they hope for as a target on runner holding situations - ask them directly (don't wait for advice from the coaches).

As for the problem with coaches - they may not know the position well, or they may just be pre-occupied with the team as a whole.

QStraddling the Bag

I want my first baseman to cover first, with a runner on first, to the inside of the bag. He says that his modified coach (school team) says straddle the bag. What is proper for 90' field.

AThe field size is not an issue. A lefty can be inside the bag and make a good low tag play, a right hander is often better straddling the bag so the glove can get down there with less body twist. When straddling, both feet must start in fair territory until the pitch.