First Base Play

I just watched a play in the OSU-Purdue game on Big Ten Network that really illustrates the lack of coaching some girls are getting even at very high levels.

A lefty swings and misses at a pitch in the dirt when she has two strikes. She's a slapper, so she's running out of the box. The catcher scoops it and fires to first. There is a runner on second at the time. The firstbaseman misses the throw and it goes into right field. The runner from second scores. But wait! The ump says the hitter was inside the baseline and declares her out and sends the runner back to third.

The replay shows the hitter was right on the line and that the ump blew the call. But that's not the point of this post. The point is the target (or lack of target) that was presented to the catcher by the first baseman.

The first baseman was seen anchoring her foot on the bag immediately and stretching straight at the catcher for the ball, which was thrown basically right into the runner. Bad. Bad. BAD.

Here's what should happen:

The catcher should take a little hop step toward the middle of the field to give herself an angle for the throw. At the same time, the first baseman should position herself with a wide stance parallel to the base, but with her left foot several inches OFF the inside front corner of the base. She should bend her knees and be ready to go every way for the throw. She should extend her glove toward the catcher and toward the inside of the diamond, giving the catcher an unobstructed target. She should catch the ball first and then touch the base, while keeping an eye on the lead runner and being prepared to make a play on her-- either at third or at home.

If the throw is high, she's in good position to jump.
If the throw is low, she can drop to her knees to block it and make the play or at least keep the runner from scoring.
If the throw is left, she can move her feet, catch it in front of the runner and swipe-tag her.
If the throw is way inside, she's in position to move quickly to catch it and return to the base.

This is the best technique there is--- and that's the truth.

GOD I HATE THIS!!!!!!!!!! I finally have to agree with you Truth! ;D I seen it to and thought it was a bad call to. How about Purdue trying to get runner interferance on the play at SS ? The SS on replay actually interfered with the runner by slapping her on the leg before she had the ball! GO OSU!

Truth has many good points. The only flaw, in the past was "presentation".

To the point in this thread. ?What was decribed happens very frequently but I was a little surprised to hear it happened at the collegiate level. ?This happens frequently at the younger ages, probably more often than not. ?The next time you go to a tournament make a point of watching the play at 1st base.

Tip: To tell if your team's 1st base player(s) does this, tell 3rd base to fake a throw (in practice, not a game) to first and then look at 1st to see what position she is in.... she should not move from the ready position (as Truth described) until the ball is in flight. JMHO

Didn't see the game, but it sounds like bad coaching on top of bad coaching, well maybe not all bad coaching, but I wouldn't have been very happy at anyone swinging on a ball in the dirt. Unless the pitcher was throwing some junk and it was a stike up till about five feet away from the plate. Drop ball I presume?

Agreed. All to often you see a first basemen stretched out in anticipation the throw will be on the numbers.

Speaking of that. I witness countless numbers of third basemen glued to the bag on an over extended lead off or a pick off play...it's not a force. Give your catcher, pitcher a target and make the tag.