1B

First Base

Your job on every play — go to the Ball, cover a Bag, or Backup a base.

Ball Bag Backup

No Runners

Bag
Single to Left, Batter Hustles for Two · Bases empty · 0 out

Cover first base — the batter-runner has already rounded it.

Bag
Single Up the Middle, Batter Rounds First · Bases empty · 0 out

Cover first base behind the batter-runner.

Bag
Routine Grounder to Short · Bases empty · 1 out

Cover first base, give a target, and stretch for the throw.

Bag
Down the Right-Field Line, Batter for Three · Bases empty · 0 out

Cover first base as the runner rounds it.

Bag
Gap to Left-Center, Batter for Two · Bases empty · 1 out

Cover first base behind the batter-runner.

Runners On

Ball
Runner on 2nd, Single to Right — Throw Home · Runner on 2nd · 1 out

Line up as the cutoff on the right-field-to-home line, about 45 feet from the plate; cut or relay the throw.

Bag
Runner on 1st, Single to Right — Throw to Third · Runner on 1st · 1 out

Cover first base behind the batter-runner.

Ball
Runner on 3rd, Fly to Right — Tag and Throw Home · Runner on 3rd · 1 out

Line up as the cutoff on the right-field-to-home line; read whether to cut or let it go.

Bag
Runners on 1st & 2nd, Single to Left — Throw Home · Runners on 1st & 2nd · 1 out

Trail toward the plate as a second cutoff and cover first.

Bag
Runner on 3rd, Ground Ball — Check and Throw · Runner on 3rd · 1 out

Cover first base and stretch for the throw.

Bunts

Ball
Sacrifice Bunt, Runner on 1st · Runner on 1st · 0 out

Crash hard toward the plate to field the bunt, then throw to first for the out.

Ball
Sacrifice Bunt, Runner on 2nd · Runner on 2nd · 0 out

Crash to field a bunt on the right side, then throw to first.

Ball
Squeeze Bunt, Runner on 3rd · Runner on 3rd · 1 out

Crash hard from first to take away the right side.

Ball
Drag Bunt for a Hit, No Runners · Bases empty · 0 out

Charge the drag bunt hard.

Ball
Sacrifice Bunt, Runners on 1st & 2nd · Runners on 1st & 2nd · 0 out

Crash to field the bunt on the right side, then throw to first.

Double Plays

Bag
6-4-3 Double Play · Runner on 1st · 0 out

Cover first base and stretch toward the throw to finish the double play.

Bag
4-6-3 Double Play · Runner on 1st · 0 out

Cover first base and stretch for the throw.

Bag
5-4-3 Around the Horn · Runner on 1st · 0 out

Cover first base and stretch for the throw.

Ball
3-6-3 Double Play · Runner on 1st · 0 out

Field it, throw to second, then sprint back to first for the return.

Bag
1-6-3, Comebacker to the Pitcher · Runner on 1st · 0 out

Cover first base and stretch for the throw.

Pop-ups & Priority

Bag
Pop-up Over the Middle Infield · Bases empty · 1 out

Drift toward the ball but yield to the second baseman, then get back to cover first.

Ball
Foul Pop Near First Base · Bases empty · 0 out

Turn your back to the infield, find it over your shoulder, and call it — you usually have the best angle.

Backup
Bloop Between Second, First, and Right · Bases empty · 2 out

Drift out but yield to the right fielder, then get back to cover first.

Bag
Pop-up Straight Back at the Plate · Bases empty · 1 out

Drift toward the plate as insurance but yield to the catcher, then cover first.

Rundowns

Ball
Rundown Between First and Second · Runner on 1st · 1 out

Receive the throw and apply the tag; run him back if he won't commit.

Bag
Rundown Between Third and Home · Runner on 3rd · 1 out

Cover first base in case of another runner.

Pickoffs

Bag
Pickoff at First (1-3) · Runner on 1st · 0 out

Hold the runner on, give a low target, take the throw, and apply a quick tag.

Bag
Daylight Play at Second · Runner on 2nd · 1 out

Cover first base and hold any trail runner.

Bag
Timing Play at Second (2B) · Runner on 2nd · 0 out

Cover first base and hold any trail runner.

Bag
Catcher Back-Pick at First · Runner on 1st · 1 out

Sneak back to the bag, give a low target, and apply the tag.

Bag
Catcher Back-Pick at Third · Runner on 3rd · 1 out

Cover first base.

Steals & Coverage

Bag
Steal of Second — Right-Handed Batter · Runner on 1st · 1 out

Trail the play and cover first base.

Bag
Steal of Second — Left-Handed Batter · Runner on 1st · 1 out

Cover first base.

Bag
Steal of Third Base · Runner on 2nd · 1 out

Cover first base.

Bag
Strike 'Em Out, Throw 'Em Out · Runner on 1st · 1 out

Cover first base.

Bag
Delayed Steal of Second · Runner on 1st · 0 out

Cover first base and alert the middle infielders — 'he's going!'

First & Third

Bag
First & Third: Throw Through to Second · Runners on 1st & 3rd · 1 out

Trail the play and cover first base.

Bag
First & Third: Cut and Go Home · Runners on 1st & 3rd · 1 out

Trail the batter-runner and cover first.

Bag
First & Third: Concede the Run, Take the Out · Runners on 1st & 3rd · 1 out

Trail the batter-runner and cover first.

Bag
First & Third: Run-and-Hold · Runners on 1st & 3rd · 1 out

Close the rundown from the first-base end.

Bag
First & Third: Pitchout, Back-Pick Third · Runners on 1st & 3rd · 0 out

Cover first base and hold the trail runner.

Cutoffs & Relays

Bag
Cutoff & Relay — Gap to Right-Center · Runner on 1st · 1 out

Cover first base and trail as a second cutoff if the throw comes up short.

Ball
Wheel Play: Bunt with a Runner on 2nd · Runner on 2nd · 0 out

Crash from first to field anything on the right side.

Bag
Deep Drive to Left-Center, Double Cut · Runner on 1st · 0 out

Cover first base and trail toward the cut.