First baseman
Also called first sacker or cornerman, the first baseman is ideally a tall player who throws left-handed and possesses good flexibility and quick reflexes.
Flexibility is needed because the first baseman receives throws from the other infielders, the catcher and the pitcher after they have fielded ground balls.
First base is often referred to as "the other hot corner"—the "hot corner" being third base—and therefore, like the third baseman, he must have quick reflexes to field the hardest hit balls down the foul line, mainly by left-handed pull hitters and right-handed hitters hitting to the opposite field.
[citation needed] The first baseman then relies upon the pitcher to cover first base to receive the ball to complete the out.
Facing a possible trade or a considerable reduction in playing time, a player may opt to move to first base instead.
Catchers and corner outfielders sometimes move to first base due to deteriorating health or if their fielding abilities at their original position are detrimental to the team.
As soon as the pitcher commits to throwing towards home plate, the first baseman will charge towards the hitter to field the bunt.
Once the pitcher commits to throwing towards home plate, the first baseman comes off the bag in front of the runner and gets in a fielding position.
This stretch decreases the amount of time it takes the throw to get to first and encourages the umpire to call close plays in favor of the fielding team.
The primary goal of the first baseman in this instance is to ensure the runner does not advance and that the team records at least one out, especially in a close game.
This is rare because the first baseman is usually slower than most baserunners who generally return to their bases on line drives near any fielder.
These advantages surface in plays where the player is required to throw to another infielder after fielding a batted ball.
Consequently, part of the first baseman's job is to step toward the incoming ball and stretch their body so that their catching hand makes contact with it as soon as physically possible.
When it is thrown too low and bounces before reaching the first baseman, catching the ball is difficult, especially while he is in a "stretch position".
At first base, the typical tag play occurs when the infielder's throw is high and to the left of the first baseman, causing him to jump and stretch their long mitt to catch the ball before it sails into the dugout or the grandstand.
[3] At or near the ends of their careers, good hitters are often moved to first base as their speed and throwing arms deteriorate, a more talented position player was acquired, or their teams become concerned with the likelihood of injury.
Such players include Hall of Famers George Brett, Paul Molitor, Mike Schmidt and Jim Thome (third basemen), Ernie Banks (shortstop), Rod Carew (second baseman), Al Kaline (right fielder), Mickey Mantle (center fielder), Johnny Bench, Joe Mauer, and Mike Piazza (catchers), Stan Musial and Willie Stargell (left fielders).
In 2023, Philadelphia Phillies all-star Bryce Harper moved from outfield to first base after undergoing Tommy John surgery; this enabled Harper to return to the field quicker than expected while also lessening the stress of throwing with his surgically repaired right arm.
