CELESTE ON SOFTBALL

by Celeste Knierim

So How Do You Cover First?

I guess it depends on who you ask, as to what is the best way to cover first base for the out. Some say to put the throwing-hand foot on the base right away and wait for the throw; others say to wait to put your foot on until you see where the throw is going.

I guess I would have to say that it depends on your skill level, and it really depends on the condition of the field when the game is played. In talking with the third-base coach of a professional team, he teaches his first baseman to put the foot on the bag right away and stretch, if the ball is off to the side, and backhand the ball, if it is going to the opposite side.

First of all, I believe everyone should know how to backhand a ball. The player needs to be taught that their first thought is to get in front of the ball no matter what position they are playing, since that is the best method. However, sometimes you cannot do that. So, during practices, the player should be moving to field balls in front of them but also fielding balls to their backhand. We always, during pre-game, take short hops to the backhand to perfect the skill so they will be confident in it when needed.

With that said, I prefer to teach the player to get to the base, be in line with where the throw is coming from, keep both feet about eight inches in front of that side of the base and, when the player sees where the ball is going, slide the toe back to the closest side of the base. The distance away depends on the player’s size and comfort level. If coming from an area close to home, the first-base player is in front of the inside front corner of the base. If from third base, they are over a little closer to the center, short stop at the center, second-base player towards the back of the base. They are at the closest section of the base toward the throw. Sliding the toe is very important. If they pick the toe up and place it on the base, they run the risk of putting it too far on the base and getting it stepped on by the runner. By sliding the toe and keeping it in contact with the ground, the side of the bag will stop the toe—taking away the danger of being stepped on by the runner.

The first-base player does have to have quick feet but that can be taught the skill [but that skill can be taught]. If the throw is off line, this allows the player at first base to move quicker and slide the foot faster to another part of the bag. It also allows the player to get in front of the ball, versus always backhanding the ball. Once again, the player should be able to back hand the ball with confidence, but it depends on the age and skill level of the players. It has to be practiced a lot until the player has accomplished the skill.

Another reason I wanted to teach the players this method was the condition of the field. Our field sloped downhill just past first base. If our first-base player would set up early and try to backhand a wild throw—especially if it was in the dirt—if missed, the ball would have traveled too deep into the right-field corner. The ground on our field was rarely level and there was an eight-foot difference between the right-field fence and third base. So, as you can imagine, we needed to teach the first-base player to get in front of the ball to keep that from happening. It would be great if we all had professionally-maintained fields, but that is not reality. Teach them both ways, see which one they can do the best, analyze the field you are playing on and choose the one that best fits the situation. There is always more than one way to do something—especially when dealing with the differences in the players. One may work for one and not the other. Also, teach them to analyze the situation so that they can make a decision on their own.

Look for Celeste's article next month.

For more from Coach Knierim click on Coaches Corner on the JUGS® website.