1st base coach

Do any of you have the first base coach stay by the runner confirming signs from the 3rd base coach? Why or why not?

What do you have the 1st base coach do?

I am usually the 1B coach on our team. I do not confirm the signs from the 3B coach, but will say something like "did you get that?" on occasion...especially if the runner is a "repeat offender" and has a habit of missing signs. We are 18U so our girls are generally up to speed on all the signs. If they need clarification I will give it to them.

When they are still batter-runners, I'll be waving them to 2B on gappers, tell them to round hard and watch on other OF liners/grounders, dig hard on IF grounders, etc.

When they are on first, my usual patter is to remind them of the number of outs, where the other runners are, take a good lead, pause on line drives, go like hell on the ground, how far to go on pop flys (with less than 2 outs), etc. All stuff that they already know, but just standing there saying nothing doesn't feel right.

I actually coach 1B as the head coach so it's the focal point of communication for batters and base runners.

You need to communicate to the base-runner(s) information that is happening outside their field of vision. Telling them to run through 1B or make a hard turn through 1B. If the play is developing in front of them let them process and make their own decisions.

I tend not to over communicate so that when I do say something they know it's important. Most of our communication is done visually and not vocally.

I am the first base coach for a 10 travel team. Generally the first thing I do on a hit is remind them that they need to get the sign from the H.C. at 3rd base. Then I tell them how many outs there are currently, and what they should do on a ground ball and a fly ball. It is amazing how many brain farts happen at this level, I can tell them that there is 0 outs and not to run on a flyball and two pitches later they do the exact opposite, or I can tell them that there is 2 outs and go on anything, then they hit a fly ball and forget to run. Some girls just understand the situation and some just don't get it at this level. It is not like we haven't gone over this 100 times.

When a ball is put in play we have taught them to listen to the first base coach. I either tell them to run through the bag, round the bag, or go to 2nd base. When the runner is on 1st base we taught the girls to confirm that they understand the sign from the 3rd base coach by tapping there helmet.

To me the most important thing for the first base coach is what they are not supposed to do. The first is tell the runner going from first to go three. This is the 3B coaches job and not their job. They are supposed to be instructing the batter-runner what to do. The second is getting caught up watching the play at the plate instead of coaching the batter-runner. Both of these things are almost givens for most coaches if their DD is the lead runner. I know it is basic but my DD's current TB team is the first team she has been on that the first base coach always does his job.

One of the funniest things coaching 1st was I told batter runner to go to 3rd, she kicked it up a gear and was flying. 3rd base coach, HC, tried to hold her at 2nd. Nothing doing, slide into 3rd on close play.

I am not sure what thier conversation was but it involved a lot of pointing at me.

Whoops, I wanted to hide.

I say "pick up your coach," as I send them on.

One of the things I say ...

If there is a runner on 2nd, follow them. They go you go do not wait for me.

I remind them of little things they should already know.
...run through, run through...
...take a turn, find the ball...
...watch for you signs...
...2 outs, on contact...
...etc...

Hmm maybe I just like to hear myself speak.