Playing First Base
First baseman is No. 3: catches every infield throw.
How it actually works. With nobody on, play off the bag, a few steps toward second and a step or two behind the baseline, then get to the bag early on a ground ball so you are set as a target before the throw comes. With a runner on, hold him on the bag, then come off as the pitch goes. On the throw, put the ball of your foot on the side of the bag and stretch toward the ball only once you see where it is going. On a foul pop, drop step and go.
Why it is done, and when it is wrong. First base looks easy and costs a lot of games when it is played lazy. Every infielder's throw is only as good as the target, and a first baseman who picks the short hop and stretches at the right time turns bad throws into outs. He also controls the running game on that side, with the pickoff timing he works out with his pitcher.
What people get wrong about it. Standing on the bag instead of playing off it, which gives away every ball down the line. Stretching before the throw is in the air, which locks you in place when it is off line. And not knowing when you need to tag the runner instead of just touching the base.
At Little League and travel ball. Put a kid who can catch at first, not just the tallest one. Most youth outs are ground balls, and every one of them ends with a throw to first. Loud communication helps too: call for the bag so the infielder knows where to throw.
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