First Base Responsibilities: Where the First Baseman Goes on Every Play

On most ground balls the first baseman's job is simple and important: get to the bag, give the thrower a target, and catch it. More outs are made at first than anywhere else.

On hits to the outfield, the first baseman has a bigger job than most kids expect: in a common youth system, they're the cutoff on throws home from center and right field.

The first baseman's main jobs

• On a ground ball to another infielder, get to the bag, set your feet, and stretch toward the throw once you see where it is.
• On a bunt, charge in. The second baseman covers first behind you.
• On a single to center or right with a runner trying to score, be the cutoff for home: line up between the ball and the plate, arms up, and listen for the catcher.
• With a runner on first where leadoffs are allowed (50/70 and up, softball), hold the runner on: foot on the bag, glove up as a target.

Every play, and where the first baseman goes

There are 85 plays in the Simple Fielding library. The first baseman covers a base on 50, is the cutoff on 8, gets the ball on 4 and stays ready on the other 23. Tap any play to watch the whole defense move in the app.

Ground balls (Little League baseball, 60 ft bases)

• Covers a baseGrounder to short, nobody onGet to the bag! Stretch toward the throw once you know where it is.
• Gets the ballGrounder to 1st — pitcher covers!Get in front of it, glove down! Then throw to 1st.
• Covers a baseDouble play: runner on 1st, grounder to shortGet to the bag! Stretch toward the throw once you know where it is.
• Covers a baseDouble play: runner on 1st, grounder to 2ndGet to the bag! Stretch toward the throw once you know where it is.
• Covers a baseRunners on 1st & 2nd, grounder to 3rdGet to the bag! Stretch toward the throw once you know where it is.
• Covers a baseBases loaded — force at homeGet to the bag! Stretch toward the throw once you know where it is.
• Covers a baseRunner on 2nd — look them backGet to the bag! Stretch toward the throw once you know where it is.
• Covers a baseTwo outs — take the easy outGet to the bag! Stretch toward the throw once you know where it is.
• Covers a baseComebacker to the pitcherGet to the bag! Stretch toward the throw once you know where it is.

Singles (Little League baseball, 60 ft bases)

• Covers a baseSingle to left, nobody onMake sure the batter touches 1st, then stay on the bag.
• Covers a baseSingle to center, nobody onMake sure the batter touches 1st, then stay on the bag.
• Covers a baseSingle to right, nobody onGo hard after it — it gets by you! Don't stay down: get up and make sure the batter touches 1st, then stay on the bag.
• Covers a baseSingle to left, runner on 1stMake sure the batter touches 1st, then cover the bag.
• Covers a baseSingle to right, runner on 1stGo hard after it — it gets by you! Don't stay down: get up and make sure the batter touches 1st, then cover the bag.
• Covers a baseSingle to left, runner on 2ndCover 1st base.
• CutoffSingle to center, runner on 2ndBe the cutoff for home — line up just in front of the pitcher's mound, in a straight line between the ball and home. Listen for the catcher!
• CutoffSingle to right, runner on 2ndGo hard after it — it gets by you! Don't stay down: get up and be the cutoff for home — line up just in front of the pitcher's mound, in a straight line between the ball and home. Listen for the catcher!

Doubles & triples (Little League baseball, 60 ft bases)

• Covers a baseDouble down the left-field lineMake sure the batter touches 1st, then follow them to 2nd and cover the bag.
• Covers a baseDouble in the left-center gapMake sure the batter touches 1st, then follow them to 2nd and cover the bag.
• Covers a baseDouble in the right-center gapMake sure the batter touches 1st, then follow them to 2nd and cover the bag.
• Covers a baseDouble down the right-field lineMake sure the batter touches 1st, then follow them to 2nd and cover the bag.
• CutoffDouble to left-center, runner on 1stBe the cutoff for home — line up in front of the plate between the relay and home.
• Covers a baseTriple to the right-field cornerMake sure the batter touches 1st, then follow them to 2nd and cover the bag.

Fly balls & pop-ups (Little League baseball, 60 ft bases)

• Covers a baseFly ball to left, nobody onMake sure the batter touches 1st, then stay on the bag.
• CutoffTag up from 3rd — fly to centerBe the cutoff for home — line up just in front of the pitcher's mound, in a straight line between the ball and home. Listen for the catcher!
• Covers a baseTag up from 2nd — fly to rightMake sure the batter touches 1st, then cover the bag.
• Covers a basePop-up behind 2nd — who takes it?Cover 1st base.
• Covers a basePop-up between 3rd and shortCover 1st base.
• Covers a baseShallow fly — outfielder calls off the infielderMake sure the batter touches 1st, then stay on the bag.

Foul balls (Little League baseball, 60 ft bases)

• Covers a baseFoul pop behind the plateCover 1st base.
• Gets the ballFoul pop near the 1st-base lineChase it — watch out for the fence! Catch it if you can do it safely.
• Covers a baseFoul pop near the 3rd-base lineCover 1st base.

Bunts (Little League baseball, 60 ft bases)

• Gets the ballBunt down the 1st-base lineCharge it, glove down! Then throw to 1st.

Steals & leads (Little League baseball, 60 ft bases)

• Covers a baseSteal of 2nd — right-handed batterStay near 1st in case of a throw back.
• Covers a baseSteal of 2nd — left-handed batterStay near 1st in case of a throw back.
• Covers a base1st & 3rd double stealCover 1st base.
• Covers a basePrimary lead — pickoff at 1stHold the runner on: stand at the bag, give the pitcher a target, catch and tag low.
• Covers a baseSecondary lead — catcher back-pickAfter the pitch, sneak back to the bag for the back-pick. Catch and tag low.

Rundowns (Little League baseball, 60 ft bases)

• Covers a baseRundown between 1st and 2ndStep off the bag toward the runner, glove up as a target. Yell "Now!" when they're close, catch it and tag.

Passed balls (Little League baseball, 60 ft bases)

• Covers a basePassed ball, runner on 3rdCover 1st base.
• Covers a baseWild pitch, runner on 1stCover 1st base.

Softball: slaps, bunts & steals (12U fastpitch softball)

• Gets the ballDrag bunt by a slapper — first baseman crashesCharge it, glove down! Then throw to 1st.
• Covers a baseSteal of 2nd — shortstop coversStay near 1st in case of a throw back.
• Covers a baseLook-back, 1st & 3rd — runner drifts off 1stGet to 1st base in case the pitcher needs to throw.
• Covers a baseDropped 3rd strike — throw to 1st from the insideGet to the bag and yell "Inside!" — give the catcher a target clear of the runner.
• Covers a baseDropped 3rd strike to the backstop — throw from outsideGet to the bag and yell "Outside!" — give the catcher a target clear of the runner.
• Covers a basePassed ball, runner on 3rd — pitcher covers homeCover 1st base.

90 ft: depth, relays and tags (high school baseball, 90 ft bases)

• Covers a baseDouble-play depth — 6-4-3Get to the bag! Stretch toward the throw once you know where it is.
• Covers a baseDouble-play depth — 4-6-3Get to the bag! Stretch toward the throw once you know where it is.
• Covers a base5-4-3 around the hornGet to the bag! Stretch toward the throw once you know where it is.
• Covers a baseDeep in the hole at shortGet to the bag! Stretch toward the throw once you know where it is.
• Covers a baseSlow roller — charge itGet to the bag! Stretch toward the throw once you know where it is.
• CutoffSingle to center, runner on 2nd — play at the plateBe the cutoff for home — line up about 45 feet in front of the plate, between the ball and home. Listen for the catcher!
• Covers a baseSingle to right, runner on 1st — 1st to 3rd?Make sure the batter touches 1st, then cover the bag.
• Covers a baseSingle to left, 1st & 2nd — third baseman cutsCover 1st base.
• CutoffDouble down the left-field line — tandem relayBe the cutoff for home — line up in front of the plate between the relay and home.
• CutoffDouble down the right-field line — tandem relayBe the cutoff for home — line up in front of the plate between the relay and home.
• Covers a baseGap double, left-center — tandem to 3rdMake sure the batter touches 1st, then follow them to 2nd and cover the bag.
• Covers a baseTriple to the right-center gapMake sure the batter touches 1st, then follow them to 2nd and cover the bag.
• CutoffTag from 3rd — medium fly to centerBe the cutoff for home — line up about 45 feet in front of the plate, between the ball and home. Listen for the catcher!
• Covers a baseTag from 2nd — fly to rightMake sure the batter touches 1st, then cover the bag.
• Covers a basePop-up in the triangle — 1B, 2B, RFCover 1st base.

Quick answers

Who is the cutoff on a throw home from center field?

In a common youth system, the first baseman is the cutoff on throws home from center and right field, and the third baseman from left field. Some teams use the pitcher instead, so check your team's system.

Who covers first base when the first baseman charges a bunt?

The second baseman. On a bunt, the first baseman charges in and the second baseman runs to cover first.

Should the first baseman stretch before the throw?

No. Get to the bag and set your feet first. Stretch toward the throw once you can see where it's going, so you don't commit the wrong way.

Where teams do it differently (who's the cutoff home, who covers second on a steal), these pages follow a common youth system. Your coach's system wins.