How to play first base

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ALDIPfJ^

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Introduction

No other position on a ball team has shown snch a change for the better in recent }-ears as first base. IModifications in line with the betterment of tlie sport in every department have been made at intervals, but in no other department have they been so radical.

But a few years back the sole idea of a first baseman's qualifications was ability to hit the Ijall hard. But little attention was paid to his fielding and the common idea was that anyone who could bat at a .300 clip could be taught to field the position. All he was expected to do was to handle thrown balls and stop hits wdiich came right over the bag or but a few feet each side. Ability to run bases was not considered. What was wanted was a man who could hit the bail a mile and send runs across the plate.

As a result, there was a tribe of players on the initial sack who even outweighed the catchers. Weight was an advantage in two ways, it put force behind the bat and a man of large proportions was an easier mark for a fielder to throw at.

This style of first baseman has disappeared and in his place has come a player more suited to the fast modern game. The first baseman of to-day is the superior of the man he has displaced in every way save that of extra base hitting. He is still expected to be one of the best batters on the team but must possess other qualities as well. In the field he is expected to do his share of the defensive work and ability to run bases is one of his important qualifications. As a result he makes up for his lack of heavy hitting by more scientific work with the stick and can be used to better advantage in the batting list.

Although the first baseman cannot yet be ranked as the most important player on the team, men of the caliber of Tenney,

DAN McGANN.

First baseman of the champion Giants, and, taking everything into consideration, batting, fielding and base running, one of the fastest big players in the business.

Spalding' s Athletic Library. g

Bransfield, Chance and La Chance are of immense value to a team. Quick headwork on their part saves more errors for their team than that of any other player on the chib and a first-class first baseman is absolutely necessary to round out a successful team. Much responsibility rests upon him because of the many chances he has to handle and the amount of damage done by breaks on his part.

One of the first points which comes up for consideration in the selection or making of a first baseman is : What special physical qualifications are necessary, if any?

Spalding' s Athletic Library.

QUALIFICATIONS NECESSARY

Height and reach are the cardinal qualifications of a first baseman and this is the only position on the nine where thest two points are at a premium. There are first basemen who are not above the average in height and reach but players who are undersized are not wanted at first. Height is needed in getting high throws and a long reach is an aid in this direction also as well as in reaching for wide thrown balls. Every inch that a first baseman can reach withotit getting both feet off the bag is just that much gain for the fielders on hurried throws. As speed and handiness in fielding are also required of a first baseman a compromise in regard to height reach has to be made with the former and that is the reason there are not more giants on first. As it is, not a few of the major league first basemen are close to six feet in height.

Speed is one of the requisites coming into demand more and more every day on the part of first basemen. The latter are now required to cover considerable territor3^ More fouls are being batted out toward first now than ever and a speedy man can do much damage to an opposing team by chasing them down. In covering ground inside of first and toward the plate it is necessary to make fast turns and a quick man on his feet has a big advantage here.

A good arm is a valuable asset to a first baseman, though he does not have the same amount of use for it that a shortstop or third baseman has. Its value lies in ability to whip the ball back to third to prevent runners from going from first or second to that point on outs at first. It is also useful in making double plays at second w'hen the ball is fielded by the first baseman and returned from second.

A good eye is of more value to a first baseman possibly than

LA CHANCE.

First baseman for the Boston champions, who is very expert in

picking up low throws.

Spalding' s Athletic Lilnar'y. 13

to any other nicniljer of the team when the latter is on the defensive. This comes into play in fielding bad throws and judging correctly close plays at first. A fraction of a second or a couple of inches frequently means the difference between an out and safety for the base runner. Hence it is important that a first baseman be able to judge accurately and quickly.

JACOB BECKLEY,

Ball in hand, ready to catch a runner who is trying to score from third. Bcckley is noted for returning the ball very quickly on a ba'-e play.

Spa/dj>/,!^'s Athletic Library. IS

HOW TO PLACE YOURSELF

The regular position for a first baseman is about ten feet inside of the bag and the same distance to the rear of a Hue drawn between first and second, unless the base line is skinned and the other portions of the diamond are covered \vith grass. In this latter case field liack just far enough to get a grounder before it leaves the skinned surface. This covers the ground toward second not taken care of by the second baseman and yet enables you to prevent hits getting between yourself and the bag.

There is but one standard position for a first baseman while waiting for a batter with the bases vacant. Face the batter and lean slightly forward on the toes with the hands on the knees. This will enable you to get a quick start either for first in order to cover the bag on a throw or to field the ball. Balance yourself evenly so as to be able to get a quick start toward second or first as the case may demand. Watch the pitcher and get a start when he delivers the ball so as to get in motion. If you are standing still when the ball is hit sharply it is likely to get the jump on you and get past before you can get to it.

In fielding grounders there are several things to look out for. Be sure to get your glove firmly on the ground so as to prevent the ball from forcing its way under your fingers. A tirst baseman seldom has to field a ball with one hand and, when possible, always use both. Many of the chances sent toward first are hard enough without making them more so by trying for a spectacular play. In fielding any kind of a ball always squeeze it hard or it may twist out of your glove. When the ball conies to you on the ground keep your knees together and your body low so as to block the leather in case it should get past your hands. Even if the latter ha]ipens this will save you some disastrous consequences. .-— r^-vi^-; i

'? r I r rl '] 1 1 : T rt i

FRED TENNEY,

Who is a left-liand thrower Init equally expert with both hands,

in catching throws at first. He is a wonderful ground coverer.

In making a catch always try to place yourself in a position for the next play. In a good percentage of the cases this will be a run over to first to tag the bag. The pitcher should cover first or in some cases the second baseman, and in case they do it is best to make a toss to first. It costs you nothing to give the player covering the bag an out, while you take the assist. It is better to make the assist even when the out could be made with ease by yourself. The only exception to this is when the man covering the bag is unreliable in taking throws and in that case try hard to get the out yourself. In case the bag is not covered and the decision is close a slide will frequently save the day for you when you would otherw^ise fail.

First basemen have an opportunity to distinguish themselves on flies but a failure to handle them correctly will just as surely lead to censure. Most of the chances offered in this line arc on foul flies and speed and a good eye are needed. Practice catching fouls before games. Make a batsman give you flies instead of confining his attention to grounders.

The easiest 'flies for the first baseman to get are those just outside of first or in toward the home plate. The hardest to handle are the ones direcily back of the bag. These latter must be taken while running with the ball and with your back to the latter. On fair flies just inside the liasc line or further over toward second, care is necessary in order to avoid a collision with thcsecond baseman. On flies in far enough for the catcher to get to the ball, he should be allowed to handle the chance owing to his large glove. The advantage in this direction, however, is with the first baseman in comparison with the other fielders.

In handling flies at first watch out for a steal when there are men on the bases. Stolen bases on a catch by the first baseman are more probable than on any other member of the team excepting the outfielders. INIany fouls are caught with the back turned to first and going away from the latter. A quick turn is almost impossible to make and a fast base runner can get well started before the baseman is in a position to throw. Going to second or third the runner is going with the throw and if he is trying for tlie home plate the throw is sometimes almost as far as it would be from right or left field. On ordinary catches with men on bases always turn quickly as possible, prepared to throw. If the runner is making a bluf¥ to draw a throw hold the ball until you are in a position to throw with accuracy. With the game close and a man on third it is best to let the ball drop, unless it is, of course, for the final out, when you are not in a position to make a throw. A baseman with a good arm and who is quick on his feet can take more chances here than one who throws poorly and judgment is necessary in handling such plays. The speed of the base runner must always be taken into consideration and his position at the time the ball can be caught.

JACK DOYLE.

One of the "short men" who have demonstrated that it is not absohttely essential to be tall to play first well.

Spalding' s Athletic Library.

FIELDING THE POSITION

So far fielding in general has been dealt with, Imt now we come to the work which pertains more especially to first base. The first and foremost problem a first baseman has to solve is : taking throws from the fielders. A study of the infielders will do much to help you in this. Some fielders throw a ball which is easy to handle even though it comes over fast, while others put such force behind their throws that the first baseman is almost knocked ofif his feet.

Throws from nearly every position have their peculiarities. The easiest ones come from second base owing to the shorter distance the second baseman has to throw. Hard and high throws come mostly from the shortstop. From third base the throws are most likely to be wide or low. Throws from the catcher are hard as a rule and most of them hurried. The pitcher is the one most likely to cause the first baseman trouble, however. His throws are at short range and come quick and hard. With an erratic pitcher it takes hard work when a man is on first. With a fast man at bat there is more likelihood of a poor throw than otherwise owing to hurried fielding.

In fielding do all you can to steady your assistants. Face the wa}' the ball is coming with your hands extended as a guide to the fielders. On a slow throw extend yourself as far toward the ball as you can without getting both feet ofif the bag. On a wide throw, in toward the plate, reach in toward the diamond so as to leave space behind you for the base runner. Unless you do he will collide with you and spoil your catch. In reaching for wide throws behind the bag this danger need not be figured on to such an extent. If forced to pull your foot ofif a few inches in getting the ball do not put }^our foot back on the bag after the man is safe. This will give the play away to the umpire every time, when a good bluff may result in the runner being called out.

High and low tlirows must be handled with judgment. If the throw is not so high as to force you to take your feet off the bag, go after it with both hands. You can reach higher with one hand than with two, however, and it is better to make a one hand catch with your feet on the bag than to get the ball with both and be forced to jump. If you get the ball at all you are also sure of an out, while when you are forced to jump the runner may get to base before you come down. When forced to jump for a ball try to catch it in such a way that you will light on the bag. In case of very wild throws where it is impossible to get your man, try hard to stop the ball no matter how you do- it as the object then is to prevent the runner from getting extra bases.

Low throws must either be waited for or smothered. If the ball bounds far enough from the bag to come up higher than yotir knees the chance should be easy to handle. When the ball hits in close to the bag go after it just as it hits and before it has time to get started upward. When the ball is right up in front of you knock it down with your glove and pick it up. If the runner is not too close, a step away from the bag will frequently make a hard chance an easy one, but in taking such a risk you must judge the speed of the runner correctly. As in the case of the high throw make your out if possible, but under any circumstances make the stop even if you fail to get your man.

A good glove will prove of the greatest aid in handling hard chances. There is no excuse for a first baseman who does not provide himself with one. No restrictions are placed on the first baseman's glove as to size and shape, but if the latter is too large it will be tuiwieldy to handle. As most of the work at first is in the stopping of throws, a mitt is best. One with lacing around the edges is to be preferred as the padding can then be arranged to suit yourself. If properly padded the ball should stick without trouble even when making one-hand sto^s.

Good shoes are also an important item and the best you can afford are none too good. See that the spikes on your shoes are firm and sharp enough to give you a good hold.

PLAYING FOR BATTERS

So far we have given the hatsman but Httle consideration and here is where brain work tells. A close study of the batsman is necessary to play a first-class game. With practice most anyone can become a good mechanical player but few master the finer points. A careful study of the game, the batsman and your own pitcher are required for this.

The first thing to notice is whether the batsman is right or left-handed. This will make all of the difference as to where he is likely to place a hit. With a left-hand batter and a slow pitcher or with a right-hand batter and a fast one the first baseman has more cause to look for hits than if the reverse conditions exist. With a slow pitcher the latter is likely to pull the ball around toward first when batting left-handed, but the hardest chances come with a fast pitcher and a right-hand batter.

Different curves and different styles of pitching also produce different fielding conditions. Fast pitching wnth the ball straight over the plate produces chances which are easy to handle unless the ball is hit too hard to stop. A straight pitched ball is generally hit without skew or twist and it requires less care in handling than any other kind.

When a pitcher is using curves and breaks and getting hit at all hard the fielders have their troubles. Bad bounds and breaks are to be looked for then. The ball is alrnost certain to have a certain amount of rotary motion and this causes bad bounds and sharp breaks. No rule can be laid down for fielding such hits and much judgment and experience is necessary in handling them properly. Even the best players are sometimes fooled, so do not get discouraged in case you make a break. Try to study out for yourself the reason why you make an error and whether it was the pitching, peculiar batting or irregularities in the diamond which caused it. No two diamonds are exactly the same so far as fielding is concerricd and the quicker you find out the ground around your position the better off you will be. By studying out causes for your failures you will lay up a store of knowledge which will prevent many mishaps in the future.

In placing yourself for the batter you should know something about the man you are playing for. It is safe to play closer in for a fast man who places the ball than a heavy hitter, though the first baseman has less latitude in this respect than the shortstop or third baseman. When fielding back for a heavyhitting batsman take care not to get so far onto the grass along the base line when you are playing on a diamond with skinned base lines, that the ball will bound bad on leaving one surface for the other. In fielding always keep yourself in position to make the next play.

A word in regard to bunting is in order here. The first baseman does not have to handle as many bunts as the pitcher, third baseman or catcher but he is forced to take one now and then. Most of his chances of this kind come on bunts which are hit hard enough to get them past the pitcher and the important point is to know where you are going to throw. Either the pitcher or second baseman will cover the bag but they may have to do it on the run, so be careful to make the toss in such a way that they can handle the ball. Bunts directly down the first base line are the hardest to handle owing to the quick turn necessary and you should field in such a way as to make the turn with as little loss of time as possible.

The most important thing of all is to play the ball and never let the ball play you.

PLAYING FOR BASE RUNNERS

First liase is one of the hardest on the diamond to take care of, witli a man on base. In order to prevent a steal with a man on first the baseman must hold him close to the bag. The moment a runner gets a long lead off the bag he is sure to steal as the catcher has but one chance in a hundred of catching him. A perfect understanding between the first baseman, pitcher and catcher are necessary to keep the runner close to the bag. Signals betAveen the three are necessary and they may be made in any way so long as they are simple and can not be read too readily by the opposing players.

The stricter enforcement of the balk rule on the pitcher has made it much harder than formerly to prevent the runner from getting a lead off first which will make a steal practically certain. It is all the more imperative to hold the runner close to first if you have a weak throwing catcher behind the bat. Once on second a single will score a fast runner while he is not likely to get beyond second if on first unless the ball is hit to right field. Therefore work hard to keep your man on first.

With a runner on first you are working more for- the man at that point than for hits. Govern yourself by this. The runner will get as far off first as you do. Stay closer to the bag on this accotmt than when the bases are empty. When the pitcher delivers the ball you can move out a step if you think the batsman is likely to put the ball well inside the bag. Do not get too far away, however, or a hit may be sneaked past you just inside the bag. The second baseman plays further over toward first when you are forced to hold a man at that point and he should get hits which are too far out for you to reach handily.

When the ball is not actually being pitched to the batter, keep working the base runner. If he takes too much of a lead while the pitcher is winding up signal the catcher and the latter will pass the sign to the pitcher unless you can signal the pitcher direct. Then make a quick dash for the bag. Do not tire the pitcher by asking him to make too many throws, however. Sometimes a runner will be caught napping if you make a start toward second and then make a quick jump back past him to the bag. If possible, work your way around the base runner and try to induce him to get a good lead ahead of you toward second. If you are standing on the bag the runner will sometimes stand a few inches away from the latter. A quick throw will catch him napping unless he has his wits about him. With a left-hand pitcher the throw to first to catch a runner napping is easier and it is possible to hold the runner closer to the bag.

One of the best tricks to catch a man off first is worked with the assistance of the second baseman. The first baseman takes a long lead off first drawing the runner with him. Then the second baseman sneaks around behind the runner and makes a dash for first. This play depends for its success upon good signal work. Always be sure the catcher has signaled for an out ball before the play or the batter is likely to send a hit through the place left vacant by the second baseman. The pitcher must do all that he can short of balking to lead the runner and batter to believe that he is going to deliver the ball.

With a good catcher a throw from the latter occasionally will keep the runner in check, especially if the catcher can snap the ball fast and signals the pitcher for a pitch well up and out. The trick of the second baseman taking the throw to first can also be worked with the catcher doing the throwing.

With a man on first always watch out for a chance to make a double play. If forced in for the ball on a hit or over toward second the best way in most cases is to throw to second and force the man there, hustling back to first to take the return by the second baseman or shortstop. This play is particularly effective with a slow man batting and even if the double fails you catch the man nearest the plate.

With a man at second there is a chance for a double play also if you work fast. If the ball is hit toward third cover the bag fast and when taking the throw set yourself for a quick return. The base runner at second will invariably try to get to third and you may be able to cut him off. This play also comes up sometimes on a throw to short. When the second baseman is forced to field the ball the runner can usually advance no matter how fast you. handle the ball.

HARRY DAVIS' IDEA

Two of the most important things for a first haseman in my opinion are ability to locate the bag with the feet, without taking the eye off the ball, and the knack of getting the ball with one hand. Ability to locate the bag readily is one of the things that usually worrys a youngster more than anything else, and at the same time it is absolutely necessary in playing the bag successfully. I do not know how the knack of doing this is acquired myself, but I suppose it is practice and a thorough knowledge of the position.

Even some of the players on professional teams are clumsy in handling their feet, but it is a thing to avoid. You should be able to touch the bag either with one foot or the other without taking your eye off the ball or glancing down to find where it is. Try this in practice and keep on working until you can make the play perfect. When you can, you have added some 25 per cent, to your playing strength at least.

Now, as to getting wide or high thrown balls with one hand. The first thing in order to be sure of this is to get a good glove and take as much care of it as you would of your clothes or watch. There is an art in fi.xing the padding. The latter should not be too heav}- and it should be rubbed back off the end of the fingers so as to give the ball a chance to be firmly held. If the padding is heavy at that point you can not grasp the ball hard enough to hold it and must use two hands or the ball will drop after being caught. Properly adjusted, the impact of the ball will cause your hand to grip it, and hold it just as safely as you could with two.

One-hand catches are of vital importance in fielding at first. Catching with one hand gives you a chance to cover a good two feet further inside the bag on a wild throw and almost the same distance on the other side.

A good first baseman must cover much ground around first and work with the pitcher. He should talk to the pitcher and coach him in regard to covering first. The latter is in a position to help the first baseman in making many plays which would otherwise be impossible and the way the game is being played now it is of the utmost importance that the pitcher do his share of the work in fielding at first.

So far as the changes in the position are concerned I don't think they are as much in method as in the men. We use much the same methods in handling chances now that were used formerly, but owing to the lighter men that are being used and their ability to get around faster, they are able to be of more use to the team. I think that the passing of the heavy man from third is as much due to the desire for better base running as anything else. Team work on the bases is of such importance now that fast men who can bat scientifically are needed at every point and a first baseman who does not study scientific batting and base running is bound to be a failure.

CHANCE ON THE POSITION

First base is a position that is requiring more brain work right along and it has increased manifold in difficulty in the last ten years. More qualifications are required of a first baseman to-day than formerly and headwork is considered among the first. Besides this a first baseman must bat hard and run the bases well. He must understand how to advance a man on base and play team work both with his bat and in the field. Hence, the position is not the easy one some persons who have never given the matter any study imagine.

The main fault with young players is that they do not give attention enough to headwork. If they have good height and reach and can play a good mechanical game that is all they think is required of the position. This is all wrong. Headwork and snap on the part of the first baseman puts life into a team and the finished points which come only with study and practice are the ones which tell in the long run. Avoid being only a mechanical player and try to make yourself an active, hustling member of the team.