Your thoughts on Firstbaseman tags!

[sharktank]

I am curious on how you teach tags at first base and the thought process of why?

My DD just switched travel teams. I coached her through Rec ball and some travel. I was a baseball guy no doubt. I played first base. I was taught and have always taught to receive a throw from the catcher on a pick off play at first by going back to the bag facing the field and straddle the bag. The key is knowing where you are before the pitch and back/side step back to the base without looking or feeling for the bag. It takes practice but once you get used to it it becomes natural. My reason on this is that it easy easier to slap down a swipe tag and also if the runner takes off to second on the agressive move by the catcher, the firstbaseman can feel and see it better and can shuffle the feet and make the throw to second or even third or home(this is all based off of a right handed firstbaseman). The new coach wants her to go back to the bag with her back to the field and do a "back handed" swipe tag at the base. We have a very agressive catcher who likes to throw to first even when there are other runners on base.

What is your preference and why? Do you think there is difference between baseball and softball on this and why? Do you think either way? Or is this something like calling for a pop up "I got it" or "Ball,ball" however that coach likes it done?


Thanks

[sftblldud]

Both ways are taught in softball too. The thing with the swipe tag facing foul territory is the bases are shorter in softball than baseball and the other team will recognized this and send there runner to second.

In many ways softball is transitioning to baseball, from the way you swing to the way you field the ball. Makes the game better for all involved. Play like the boys I say!!!

[rodneyburr]

My Daughter also plays First. It seems to me that in softball 1st basemens play further up. There is a lot more small ball in softball. I have taught my kid to drop step with the left foot and sweep tag. If the runner takes off, second is supposed to call going so first knows to turn and throw. Also with a right handed catcher, the throw usually comes down the line. It takes more than 1 - step to turn towards the field and straddle the bag. If catchers are snap throwing with out warning, you don't have that much time.

[jhc11]

I have my first baseman doing it both ways,as to keep the offense guessing.We wear teams out on the base paths,that show there #'s to the infield. I think both ways should be taught,as the game,and your opponent will determine which tag you should use.

[FPDD_cabbie]

I am not a coach but I will share an experience that happened to my DD. Our team was in the First Base dugout.

In a high school tournament my DD was the runner on first base and whether its HS or TB she is normally in the top of the lineup because of her speed. The opposing catcher was good, no hesitation throwing the ball to first & the first baseman would make that sweeping tag with her back to the runner. After two quick throws to first my DD was tired of eating dirt so on the next pitch she took an extra step toward second. The pitch comes, catcher guns it, first baseman does the sweeping tag and sees nothing but bag. Over at second base my DD makes a heads first slide with the opposing shortstop standing over her yelling for the ball which never comes. First baseman is feeling like a poster child and the opposing coach is now yelling at his first baseman to get her head into the game.

After reading the other posts I have a better understanding of why some coaches teach the first baseman to make the sweeping tag while facing foul territory, 60ft is shorter than 90ft. But this coach needed to teach more than just the sweeping tag and the catcher/pitcher never informed their teammate where the runner was, only the SS who was directly behind 1st baseman.

[bucketbutt]

First base should be only covered by left handed players. Right handed players cannot play this position to its fullest potential especially in the higher levels of softball play.














































My DD is a lefty and seemed to get alot of this type of opinionated attitude when she wanted to play short and or second. Btw she does play firstbase and luckily does not have this issue to contend with, fastest tag in the west. Best of luck to the righties trying to figure out a lefty's position.

[FPDD_cabbie]

IMHO - a lefty at first base is IDEAL but have not been on many teams that had a lefty.

[sharktank]

My DD is a lefty and seemed to get alot of this type of opinionated attitude when she wanted to play short and or second. Btw she does play firstbase and luckily does not have this issue to contend with, fastest tag in the west. Best of luck to the righties trying to figure out a lefty's position.

That sounds great! I have seen some pretty good right handed firstbaseman! In fact, there are some pretty darn good catchers that are lefthanded which is not the traditional option!