First Base Footwork

My daughter plays a lot of second base, and has played first base on a previous team. We are currently 14u.

When she runs over to cover 1st base, say on a bunt, she goes directly to the typical throwing side foot on the bag and stretches to the ball with her glove. Her current coach is telling her to put her glove side foot on the bag and be a "scarecrow". His explanation is that this gives a bigger target and then she can sweep tag the runner if she gets pulled off the bag.

My issue is that this eliminates the stretch to the ball, and effectively gives the runner an extra step. Also, a sweep tag on the runner at this point is useless as the runner will all ready be safe.

Looking for opinions on the best footwork to employ in this situation. Thanks.

Throwing foot on the bag and step out/stretch toward the ball to receive it is correct. If his way was correct and better, why aren't all the professional baseball players doing it already? I would also expect to see most of the college softball/baseball coaches teaching his way if it was the best.

YOCOACH said:

Throwing foot on the bag and step out/stretch toward the ball to receive it is correct. If his way was correct and better, why aren't all the professional baseball players doing it already? I would also expect to see most of the college softball/baseball coaches teaching his way if it was the best.

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Yocoach, Did you miss the part about her now being a second-baseman? It is easier and faster to step against the 2B side of 1B with the left foot. It takes more time and results in stumbling around for a second-baseman running over to first to try to get the right foot on the bag just to be able to stretch toward the throw like a first-baseman does.

Doug Romrell said:

Yocoach, Did you miss the part about her now being a second-baseman? It is easier and faster to step against the 2B side of 1B with the left foot. It takes more time and results in stumbling around for a second-baseman running over to first to try to get the right foot on the bag just to be able to stretch toward the throw like a first-baseman does.

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Yep. I skimmed it kind of quickly and thought she was the first baseman. Sorry

I knew you did. You're too darned smart to miss that one. ;-)

Not to hijack this thread, but this does bring up another interest question.. The first-baseman footwork when she has to reach to the outfield side of first base for an errant throw, say from the short-stop. There seems to be two schools of thought on this. One is to use the same footwork as usual, but it turns the first-baseman's back toward the throw. The second school of thought is to use the glove foot (right-handed first-baseman) and step toward right field with the right foot and remain square to the throw. It's a trade-off--each method has it's advantages.

However, I wouldn't want to see my second-baseman running over to first trying to use the regular first-baseman footwork, unless she has plenty of time to get there and do it, which usually isn't the case on a surprise bunt.

At least that's my amateur take on it.

A first baseman should start with both heels against the bag and determine which foot to step out with based on the throw. A second baseman should try to do the same, but usually doesn't have the necessary time and by default typically has to step out w/ the right foot.

Greenmonsters said:

A first baseman should start with both heels against the bag and determine which foot to step out with based on the throw. A second baseman should try to do the same, but usually doesn't have the necessary time and by default typically has to step out w/ the right foot.

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This is a FANTASTIC and simple explanation of it!!!

How do you step with your right when you have to throw a runner out at another base?

Too many steps. If you are right handed step with your left.

I asked this same question awhile back. Since then I've been watching how the college players do it. Alot of teams have the 2nd baseman cover first with left foot squared towards the bunt.