Covering Firstbase

Purpose:

• Learn to assist the firstbaseman by covering first on balls hit to right side of the infield.

Equipment:

• Field, Firstbaseman, Pitcher

Drill:

• On any ball hit to the right side, the pitcher needs to start toward the first base line.
• If the first baseman fields the ball the pitcher needs to come up inside the foul line in fair territory and take the throw from the first baseman.
• The pitcher should step on front inside corner of the bag to avoid collusion.
• If there is noboby on the pitcher can touch the bag and run through it. If there are runners on, the pitcher should touch the bag and immediately turn to the inside and check the runners.
• This play should be practiced until it is routine for the pitcher to move to the bag on any ball hit to the right side.
• A quick start makes the play much easier than arriving at the same time as the runner.

Result:

• Covering first base should become instinctive on pitchers part.
• Allows firstbaseman to be more aggressive regarding distance from the bag.
• Conditioning, as pitchers can take grounds and flip to the pitcher covering and jog to the mound to cover first.
• No walking around from position to position