First Base: your job on every play

The first baseman's rules

• On a single with a runner on second, you're the cutoff man on balls to center and right.
• On a double, trail the batter-runner to second and be on the bag as he rounds it.
• Never relay on a double.
• On a bunt, tell the pitcher before the pitch whether you're charging or holding.

Defending a single

Defending a single: how it works

• Covers first for the backdoorNobody on, single to left field
• Covers first for the backdoorNobody on, single to center field
• Covers first for the backdoorNobody on, single to right field
• Covers firstRunner on first, single to left field
• Covers firstRunner on first, single to center field
• Covers firstRunner on first, single to right field
• Covers firstRunner on second, single to left field
• Cutoff manRunner on second, single to center field
• Cutoff manRunner on second, single to right field
• Covers firstRunners on first and second, single to left field
• Cutoff manRunners on first and second, single to center field
• Cutoff manRunners on first and second, single to right field

Defending a double

Defending a double: how it works

• Trails the batter-runner to secondNobody on, double down the left-field line
• Trails the batter-runner to secondNobody on, double to the left-center gap
• Trails the batter-runner to secondNobody on, double to the right-center gap
• Trails the batter-runner to secondNobody on, double down the right-field line
• Trails the batter-runner to secondRunner on first, double down the left-field line
• Trails the batter-runner to secondRunner on first, double to the left-center gap
• Trails the batter-runner to secondRunner on first, double to the right-center gap
• Trails the batter-runner to secondRunner on first, double down the right-field line
• Trails the batter-runner to secondRunners on first and second, double down the left-field line
• Trails the batter-runner to secondRunners on first and second, double to the left-center gap
• Trails the batter-runner to secondRunners on first and second, double to the right-center gap
• Trails the batter-runner to secondRunners on first and second, double down the right-field line

Bunt defense

Bunt defense: how it works

• Fields it and throws to firstNobody on, bunt to the first-base side
• Crashes, stays out of the laneNobody on, bunt to the third-base side
• Charges, then retreats to firstNobody on, bunt back to the pitcher
• Fields it and throws to secondRunner on first, bunt to the first-base side
• Fields it and throws to secondRunner on first, bunt to the first-base side (Pitcher-to-third coverage)
• Holds the runner, then chargesRunner on first, bunt to the third-base side
• Holds the runner, then chargesRunner on first, bunt to the third-base side (Pitcher-to-third coverage)
• Holds the runner, then chargesRunner on first, bunt back to the pitcher
• Holds the runner, then chargesRunner on first, bunt back to the pitcher (Pitcher-to-third coverage)
• Fields it, throws to firstRunner on second, bunt to the first-base side
• Fields it, throws to firstRunner on second, bunt to the first-base side (Wheel coverage)
• Charges the right sideRunner on second, bunt to the third-base side
• Charges the right sideRunner on second, bunt to the third-base side (Wheel coverage)
• Charges the right sideRunner on second, bunt back to the pitcher
• Charges the right sideRunner on second, bunt back to the pitcher (Wheel coverage)
• Fields it, throws to thirdRunners on first and second, bunt to the first-base side
• Fields it, throws to thirdRunners on first and second, bunt to the first-base side (Wheel coverage)
• Charges the right sideRunners on first and second, bunt to the third-base side
• Charges the right sideRunners on first and second, bunt to the third-base side (Wheel coverage)
• Charges the right sideRunners on first and second, bunt back to the pitcher
• Charges the right sideRunners on first and second, bunt back to the pitcher (Wheel coverage)
• Fields it, throws home or firstRunner on third, squeeze bunt to the first-base side
• Charges the right sideRunner on third, squeeze bunt to the third-base side
• Charges the right sideRunner on third, squeeze bunt back to the pitcher

Fly-ball priority

Fly-ball priority: how it works

• Covers firstPop-up behind third base
• Covers firstFly ball to shallow left-center
• Covers firstPop-up to shallow center, left side
• Covers firstPop-up to shallow center, right side
• Covers firstFly ball to shallow right-center
• Chases, then peels offPop-up behind first base

Other positions