Great example of 1st Base Failure

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I started a "does anybody know how to play first base?" thread awhile back. This is its cousin. While watching the World Cup final between USA and Japan Monday night there was a perfect example of what I was talking about-- first basemen anchoring their foot on the bag before the ball is even thrown by an infielder instead of straddling the bag with their heels, squaring their shoulders toward the person throwing and bending to achieve an athletic position while waiting to see where the ball will be thrown-- and then choosing a foot with which to touch the bag. The USA second baseman charged a grounder and made a quick, hard throw from a short distance. The first baseman, who has obviously reached the World Cup of Softball without ever being taught how to play the position properly, anchored her right foot on the bag well before the second baseman even picked up the ball. The first baseman also stood fairly straight as the throw was being made. It was waist high and on target, but it was to the first baseman's right. She was handcuffed by the throw and barely tipped it with her glove as it sailed by. The announcers, including a former female pro, blamed the second baseman for throwing it too hard from a short distance. Of course, the analyst showed that SHE knows nothing about playing first base or she would have talked about the horrible technique displayed by the USA's first baseman. I can say without hesitation that any first baseman that I've instructed would have made that catch look easy-- even 12 year-old girls. To me, that's an embarrassment.

 

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I agree. I have had some issues with 1st base. Try telling your kid to watch the pros and learn and see them contradicting what they have been taught. That's fun to explain.

 

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Hey we should do a 1st base clinic... nah no one will come. all you have to do is catch the ball and touch the base... right?

 

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It's funny you mention that- we watched the game last night and when that play occurred, my husband turned to my daughter and asked her what the first basemen should have done in that situation.

 

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Did you tell her go to thetruth08's clinic and learn the right way.

 

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Did you tell her go to thetruth08's clinic and learn the right way.

I recall them discussing this ....i half listen when the two of them talk softball and to be honest, I personally have no clue what the "right" way.

 

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I have spent some time with my daughter (15 yo) on this topic and have come to the conclusion there are situational times when I totally agree. On a bunt to third, a ball hit to second baseman, runner on second or third trying to advance are the three that come to mind.

On a hard hit ball to Short or Third...much less time to get to base, react, adjust footwork still going with the right foot, athletic stance.

Having said that truth, I have changed my initial position of, always plant right foot. We have worked on it some, and will be really working on it during fall ball to see if we can't get better at this position!

Thank you for the insight.

 

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Back in the dinosaur age--I was trying to learn 1b while rehabbing an elbow-guy who taught me had played pro mens fastpitch back in the 40's and 50's. He said you start with heels touching outside corners of bag, and adjust from there. He also said to go to the ball, not to wait on it. I will say that I have not seen that taught by any of the org.s my dd's have played for, but I insisted my middle learn that and play that way. I can only echo the "statue" play at 1b is shocking, as I don't know too many guys or girls who can consistently field a grounder and chuck the ball into a target the size of a soup can.

 

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Maybe I am misunderstanding your explanation but I teach go to the bag with your throwing side foot anchored to the bag with glove foot slightly in front of the anchored foot in the direction from which the ball is coming. As the ball is released and the fielder realizes where the ball is going they stride to the ball to lessen the distance traveled.

The way I read you have your 1B straddling the bag with both heals touching the inside corners. I see a problem with this if you are a taking a throw from the catcher, like on a bunt.

 

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Maybe I am misunderstanding your explanation but I teach go to the bag with your throwing side foot anchored to the bag with glove foot slightly in front of the anchored foot in the direction from which the ball is coming. As the ball is released and the fielder realizes where the ball is going they stride to the ball to lessen the distance traveled.

The way I read you have your 1B straddling the bag with both heals touching the inside corners. I see a problem with this if you are a taking a throw from the catcher, like on a bunt.

I agree, its been done that way for 100 + years of baseball. Not saying anyone is wrong, but its proven!

 

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Taking throws from the catcher is a different matter. If the ball is in the field of play, then you want to give the catcher an "inside" target. (This goes for a second baseman coming over to cover the bag as well.) The side of the left foot on an inside target play should be positioned against the inside of the bag. The knees should be bent and an athletic position should be maintained. If the ball has been dropped on a third strike and it goes into foul territory on toward the first base dugout, then the first baseman must move to the outside of the base (all the way to the outside of the safety base if there is one) and place the side of the right foot against the base while maintaining an athletic stance. This positioning for inside and outside throws keeps the catcher from having to throw across the base runner to get the ball to the first baseman. The first baseman should yell, "inside" or "outside" depending upon where she is positioned. The reason she should place the side of her foot against the bag on these plays is so she can come off the base easily in the event of an errant throw and then get back to touch it before the runner gets there. She is also positioned to be able to drop to her knees to block a low throw and still record the out. She is also able to aviod getting stepped on by the runner because her foot is not actually "on" the base. It's against the side of the base. This lets her jump out of the way quickly. Playing first base is all about footwork. Do it right and you will save your team a lot of games. Do it wrong and you will cost your team a lot of games.

 

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The throw from the catcher is a PRIME example of why anchoring the opposite foot from your glove hand is not the best.

My wife teaches the 2nd baseman to touch off with the left foot regardless and make a big target into the field. If you anchor the other foot you have alot of issues stretching and do not give a big target. You tend to stretch INTO the runner.

I can not think a many if any times we have had issues with this approach. And the 2nd basemen looks so smooth doing it this way. Her shoulders are square to the person throwing the ball and is comfortable.

If you use the off foot on the throw from the catcher or 3rd on bunt you give a glove as target. And this is where it gets tricky. Because everyone is taught to throw to the chest. So the whole dynamic is thrown off. And there tends to be a bunch of throws into the runner. While setting up square seems to facilitate better throws.

 

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This is where I differ...I have the second baseman attack the bag with the throwing side foot and pivot into and toward the direction of receiving the throw, with the feet similar to a 1B...then stride to the ball as it approaches. Now if they are late to the bag then use whatever foot necessary. The problem with a 2B using the glove foot is a throw inward of the baseline will cause them to reach across their body and usually results in the pulling of the foot. If you can get them (2B) to field first like a 1B then they are able to pivot to get bad throws and still stay on the bag.

This takes alot of practice, but allows the fielder to be in a better position to throw to 2nd, 3rd and even home w/o quickly having to turn the entire body to get the shoulders into a position to make an accurate throw. Better still...if the throw is on the money the 2B can be striding to the ball and as it hits the glove with the foot on the bag, they can immediately step on through with the drive leg and make a hard throw all in one motion w/o having to "popup/pivot" to get in the correct throwing position.

 

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Taking throws from the catcher is a different matter. If the ball is in the field of play, then you want to give the catcher an "inside" target. (This goes for a second baseman coming over to cover the bag as well.) The side of the left foot on an inside target play should be positioned against the inside of the bag. The knees should be bent and an athletic position should be maintained. If the ball has been dropped on a third strike and it goes into foul territory on toward the first base dugout, then the first baseman must move to the outside of the base (all the way to the outside of the safety base if there is one) and place the side of the right foot against the base while maintaining an athletic stance. This positioning for inside and outside throws keeps the catcher from having to throw across the base runner to get the ball to the first baseman. The first baseman should yell, "inside" or "outside" depending upon where she is positioned. The reason she should place the side of her foot against the bag on these plays is so she can come off the base easily in the event of an errant throw and then get back to touch it before the runner gets there. She is also positioned to be able to drop to her knees to block a low throw and still record the out. She is also able to aviod getting stepped on by the runner because her foot is not actually "on" the base. It's against the side of the base. This lets her jump out of the way quickly. Playing first base is all about footwork. Do it right and you will save your team a lot of games. Do it wrong and you will cost your team a lot of games.

Now that was a great explanation! I have always taught my girls to yell inside or outside depending on the position of the ball being thrown. (from catcher) It's just a reminder and it is all about angles, the goal is to try and not throw over or across a runner, this makes it very difficult to catch and if it is done right will help prevent collisions at first.Great explanation! Stride at the ball not the person throwing the ball.Usually, no stride at all coming from second base unless the ball is hit right at them or toward the middle of the field. No time on a throw close to first.

 

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I agree. I have had some issues with 1st base. Try telling your kid to watch the pros and learn and see them contradicting what they have been taught. That's fun to explain.

Love the "watch the pro's answer" to any position.I find most of the pro's college players-untraditional.Rec,travel,parents or school ball may have the coaching 101 ways to field and throw but watching pro's or collegiate players thows it all out.
example:I could be wrong but for example,OSU 3rd baseman fields balls sometimes off the wrong foot we are taught,throws with elbow down,no finish but a flick and is a D1 starter?No elbow up,pick the apple off the tree before thorwing-not?

Now as a 1st baseman,which foot?Educate them BUT the second after the ball is hit,do they remember?:
-score
-ining or time remaining
-difference for 1st to field the throw if 3rd,short,pitcher,2nd recieve the hit
-no runners on,runner on 1st,runners on corners?
-which foot is on the bag?Will she take 3 steps to fire the ball if a team bunts a runner to 3rd?
-are you playing slap "D" and which "D" do you play?

Put an athlete at 1st who may wish to field the ball with her teeth?If she makes the play,it's the right way?Keep the throw to the right of the bag so if a deflection,right fielder is there?

My biggest issue with 1st basemen is stretching before the ball is thrown and not able to field an overthrow.

 

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Love the "watch the pro's answer" to any position.I find most of the pro's college players-untraditional.Rec,travel,parents or school ball may have the coaching 101 ways to field and throw but watching pro's or collegiate players thows it all out.
example:I could be wrong but for example,OSU 3rd baseman fields balls sometimes off the wrong foot we are taught,throws with elbow down,no finish but a flick and is a D1 starter?No elbow up,pick the apple off the tree before thorwing-not?

Now as a 1st baseman,which foot?Educate them BUT the second after the ball is hit,do they remember?:
-score
-ining or time remaining
-difference for 1st to field the throw if 3rd,short,pitcher,2nd recieve the hit
-no runners on,runner on 1st,runners on corners?
-which foot is on the bag?Will she take 3 steps to fire the ball if a team bunts a runner to 3rd?
-are you playing slap "D" and which "D" do you play?

Put an athlete at 1st who may wish to field the ball with her teeth?If she makes the play,it's the right way?Keep the throw to the right of the bag so if a deflection,right fielder is there?

My biggest issue with 1st basemen is stretching before the ball is thrown and not able to field an overthrow.

Very interesting. I see your point somewhat, especially at the lower levels, but I still think you have to start teaching the right footwork and mechanics as soon as you can so all that stuff you just stated comes second nature. First base is definately alot harder to play correctly than people think. Alot of times they will not be your best athlete rather a bigger girl who is a nice target. That is even more reason to start working at en early age , but I do agree, catch the ball and tagging the base is a great start. Get the out. I also agree with the stretching too early, that is the biggest mistake I see, and I see that at all levels.

 

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I guess I agree with Lady Knights on this. I think in Softball a lot of bang bang plays happen and if you wait for the ball to get there before you put your foot on the bag you are too late. Key is what someone else said and thats learning how, when and which direction to stretch in. JMO however, there is more than one way to skin a cat just because we disagree doesnt make one right or wrong.

 

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You don't wait for the ball to get there before you put a foot on the bag. You wait for the ball to be thrown and then decide which foot to use based on where the ball is going. Most of the time it doesn't matter because the throw is fairly accurate. Where a first baseman can win (or lose) a game is when the throw is off line and she uses the wrong foot and gets tangled or is off balance and the ball gets past her. Even when fielding a throw from the strongest arm in the world, there is plenty of time to see the direction of the throw and shift your feet. It takes practice. And why shouldn't a first baseman practice proper technique?