12 Facts About First baseman

The first baseman is responsible for the majority of plays made at that base.

Also called first sacker or cornerman, the first baseman is ideally a tall player who throws left-handed and possesses good flexibility and quick reflexes.

Flexibility is needed because the first baseman receives throws from the other infielders, the catcher and the pitcher after they have fielded ground balls.

In order for the runner to be called out, the first baseman must be able to stretch towards the throw and catch it before the runner reaches first base.

The first baseman then relies upon the pitcher to cover first base to receive the ball to complete the out.

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Indications of a good defensive first baseman include a large number of assists and a low number of throwing errors by other infielders.

When first base is not occupied by a baserunner, the first baseman usually stands behind first base and off the foul line.

Once the pitcher commits to throwing towards home plate, the first baseman comes off the bag in front of the runner and gets in a fielding position.

When waiting for a throw from another player, the first baseman stands with his off-glove foot touching the base, then stretches toward the throw.

The first baseman has the responsibility of cutting off throws from any of the three outfield positions on their way to home plate.

Since many throws to first base are made in great haste, the first baseman must be prepared to catch balls that are either high or low, as well as balls thrown quite a distance to either side, all while maintaining contact with the base.

Only rarely does a player begin his major-league career at first base and go elsewhere, as with Jackie Robinson, a natural second baseman who was played at first base in his rookie season so that he would avoid the risk of malicious slides at second base.