First base
More outs go through your glove than anyone else's. Catch everything.
The rule: Near the bag, take it yourself. Far from it, trust the throw. Either way — catch everything.
The magnet
Almost every infield out ends at first.
Grounder to short? The out happens when YOU catch the throw. Grounder to third, to second, back to the pitcher — same thing. No fielder is part of more outs in a game than the first baseman.
Scoop it
Bad throws are your problem — and your glory.
Throws come in low, wide, on a short hop. Stretch toward the thrower, keep your foot on the bag, and pick it. Every scoop you make saves a teammate an error.
Bag or throw?
Field it close? Take it yourself.
When the grounder comes to YOU near the bag, do not look for help — beat the batter there and step on first. Unassisted, scorebook says 3U. The easiest out you will ever make.
Start two
Runner on first? Think 3-6-3.
Field it, fire to second for the force, then sprint back to your bag for the return throw. First basemen who can turn that are gold. And with the bases loaded and the infield in, your throw goes home.
Loaded, and it finds you.
Bases loaded, nobody out, infield in — grounder right at you, a few steps off the bag. Tap where the play is.