How to Play First Base and Third Base
The skills behind the two corner infield positions: footwork and receiving at first, reaction time and the long throw at third, plus positioning, cutoffs, bunts, drills and the common mistakes young players make.
First base and third base are the two corners of the infield, and they ask for very different things. The first baseman catches more throws than anyone else on the field and does most of his work with his feet and his glove, not his arm. The third baseman stands closest to the batter, has the least time to react to a hard-hit ball, and needs the strongest throwing arm in the infield, because his throw to first is the longest in the game.
Both positions are easy to underrate. First base is where coaches sometimes put the player who is not good at anything else, and third is where they put the player with the strongest arm and little else in mind. A player who understands what each corner actually requires can do much better than that, and a team that gets both right wins close games with plays that never reach the highlights.
This guide covers the skills of both positions, the situations where they work together, practice drills that suit young players, and the mistakes that show up most often. The advice is general, meant for youth and school players and their coaches, and you should adapt it to your league's rules and to the age and size of the players. For the other infield spots, see the guide to shortstop and second base.
What each corner asks of a player
Start with the contrast, because it explains who should play where.
| Question | First base | Third base |
|---|---|---|
| Most common job | Catch throws from other fielders | Field hard-hit ground balls |
| Arm strength needed | Moderate; throws are short | High; the throw to first is the longest in the infield |
| Reaction time | Moderate | Very short |
| Footwork | Critical: reaching the bag and stretching | Critical: getting the body in front of the ball and setting to throw |
| Height and reach | A real advantage | Not required |
| Left-handed players | Fine, and often an advantage | Rarely used, since the throw to first crosses the body |
| Scorebook number | 3 | 5 |
Height helps at first base because a tall player with long arms gives every other fielder a bigger target. A left-handed first baseman has a slight edge when he fields a ball and throws to second or third, because he is already facing the infield, but the position is open to anyone who catches the ball and moves well. At third base, the demands are quickness, soft hands and a strong arm. A left-hander who plays third has to turn his body before every throw to first, which costs time, and that is why left-handed throwers are usually seen at first base or in the outfield and not at the other infield spots.
The scorebook number matters when you keep score. A ground ball to the third baseman that is thrown to first for an out is a 5-3 putout, and a ground ball to the first baseman who steps on the bag himself is an unassisted 3. If you want to learn to track plays, the site's scoresheet tool uses the same numbering.
First base: the receiving job
A first baseman's most important skill is catching the ball. It sounds obvious, but the throws he receives come low, high, wide and on the short hop, from fielders who may be nine or twelve years old and still learning to throw accurately. A first baseman who can reliably catch those throws turns errors into outs.
Footwork at the bag
The basic rule of receiving is to keep one foot on the base and stretch toward the throw. Most first basemen set up facing the fielder who has the ball, with the glove up and open as a target. When the throw is on target, one foot stays on the bag and the other steps toward the throw. A right-handed first baseman with the glove on his left hand usually keeps his right foot on the bag and stretches with his left, which gives him the maximum reach.
The other half of the footwork is the decision. A throw that is on target and arrives in time allows a full stretch. A throw that is wide of the bag, or low and difficult, may require the first baseman to leave the bag to catch it and then reach back with a tag. Practicing those choices is where most of the improvement comes from: when to stay, when to leave, and when to come off the bag to save a bad throw and keep the play alive.
Two habits help young players. First, give the thrower a target by showing the glove early and keeping it still, so the infielder knows where to throw. Second, watch the ball into the glove and keep the eyes on it until it is caught, which prevents the common mistake of looking at the runner too soon.
On the field, the base itself matters. At the youngest levels the bases are 60 feet apart, and at high-school level and above they are 90 feet apart. Some leagues use a double first base, with a white half for the fielder and a colored (usually orange) half for the runner, to reduce collisions; use whatever your league requires.
Fielding grounders and the 3-1 play
A first baseman also fields ground balls, and the technique is the same as for any infielder: stay low, get in front of the ball, use two hands, and keep the glove down. The difference is what happens next. When the first baseman fields a ground ball well to his right, away from the bag, the pitcher should break to cover first, and the first baseman flips or tosses the ball to him as he arrives. The pitcher runs to the bag along the foul line, and the first baseman leads him with a soft underhand toss at the chest.
The 3-1 play is a standard team drill for this reason. It looks routine, and it is a play that young teams often botch because the pitcher forgets to cover or the first baseman throws too hard. Practice it until both players do it without thinking.
When the ball is hit to the first baseman and the bag is close, the first baseman may simply step on it for the out. A ball hit directly at him with a runner on first is a different case: he can step on the bag for the force and throw to second for a possible double play, a 3-6-3 combination when the shortstop covers second and returns the ball.
Holding runners and playing behind them
With a runner on first base, the first baseman usually holds him by standing next to the bag, with a foot touching it, so he can receive a pickoff throw from the pitcher. He stays with the runner until the pitcher starts his delivery. Once the pitch is on its way, the first baseman steps off the bag and sets up in his fielding position, ready for a ball hit to him.
If the runner is not a threat to steal, or if the situation does not require holding him, many teams play the first baseman a few steps behind and away from the runner. This gives him a bit more range on balls hit down the line and toward second. Whether to hold or play behind is a decision for the coach, based on the speed of the runner, the score and the inning.
Cutoffs and bunts
On a throw from right field to home plate with a runner scoring from second, the first baseman is commonly the cutoff man, lined up between the outfielder and the plate. His job is to listen to the catcher, who calls whether to cut the throw, let it go through, or hold it. On bunts, the first baseman usually charges toward home to field the ball while the second baseman covers first. The details differ from team to team, so make sure your team has a plan and that everyone knows it.
Third base: reaction and arm
The third baseman plays on the pull side of a right-handed hitter, only a short distance from the plate, so a hard-hit ball reaches him quickly and he has little time to decide. That is why the position is called the hot corner.
Stance and first step
The stance is the same athletic position as anywhere in the infield, with the feet wider than the shoulders, the knees bent, the weight on the balls of the feet and the glove out in front, but the preparation is different. The third baseman needs to be ready when the pitch is thrown, because a ground ball can reach him before he has time to adjust. Many coaches teach a small hop timed to the pitch, which puts the body in motion and the weight on the balls of the feet.
The first step should be toward the ball, not away from it. A third baseman who retreats on a hard-hit ball gives up the angle he needs to throw across the diamond, and the longer the throw, the more it matters. He covers the line and the ground to his left, out to the point where the shortstop takes over.
Backhand, barehand, charge
Three techniques separate good third basemen from average ones. The first is the backhand: when the ball is hit to the left, away from the glove-side foot, the third baseman reaches across his body with the glove, keeps it low and fields the ball out in front, then plants his feet and throws. The second is the barehand: on a slow roller or a bunt that stops, he picks the ball up with his throwing hand and throws in one motion, since transferring it from the glove would cost time. The third is the charge: coming in on a ball hit softly or bunted, and fielding it while moving toward first.
None of these should be learned with a hard ball and no preparation. Start with tennis balls or soft training baseballs, and progress when the technique is reliable.
The long throw
The throw from third to first is the longest in the infield. On a field with 90-foot bases, the straight-line distance from the third-base bag to the first-base bag is 90 times the square root of two, about 127 feet. At 60-foot bases it is about 85 feet. That is a long throw for a young arm, and the third baseman cannot take much time to make it.
The technique for a long throw is the crow hop, a short skip step after fielding the ball that lets the body gather momentum and set the feet toward first base before throwing. A third baseman who fields the ball on the run toward the foul line often has to throw off balance, and the crow hop gives the throw its power. Young players should not throw as hard as they can in practice every day: arm fatigue is real, and any pain in the arm or shoulder is a reason to stop and talk to a parent, coach and doctor. For pitchers, follow the pitch limits published by your league and the governing body, such as Little League.
Guarding the line and the 5-3
Late in a close game, a coach may ask the third baseman to guard the line, standing close to the foul line to prevent a ball hit down the line from becoming a double. The trade-off is a larger hole between third and short. The decision depends on the inning, the score and the batter, and it is a coach's call.
The ordinary out for a third baseman is the 5-3, a ground ball fielded by the third baseman and thrown across the diamond to first. A play with a runner on third is more complicated. The third baseman has to know before the pitch whether to throw home, step on third or take the sure out at first, which is the subject of the next section.
Situations and who does what
The best way to learn the corners is to think through situations before they happen. The table lists several common ones.
| Situation | First baseman | Third baseman |
|---|---|---|
| Runner on first, ground ball to the left side | Cover first; set a target | Field and make the play; look for the double play |
| Sacrifice bunt, runner on first | Charge the plate; field the bunt | Charge on a bunt down the third-base line |
| Runner on third, infield in, grounder to third | Be ready for a play at first | Look the runner back or throw home, depending on the coach's plan |
| Bases loaded, less than two outs, grounder to third | Be ready to receive the throw | Step on third and throw to first, or throw home for the force and take the return throw |
| Two outs, grounder to third | Receive the throw | Throw to first, or step on third if the force is there |
| Throw from right field, runner scoring | Cutoff man | Cover third base |
| Pop-up near the foul line | Take the ball if it is on your side | Take the ball if it is on your side; call for it |
Pop-ups require communication. The player who calls for the ball first, and loudly, should take it, and the other fielders should peel away. Most teams give the shortstop priority on a pop-up between third and short. The rule is simple: someone must call it, and everyone else must stay out of the way.
Drills that work at youth level
These are standard drills, easy to run with a few players and a bucket of balls.
- Footwork at first. A partner throws from short distance to the left and right of the bag, and the first baseman practices touching the base with the correct foot and stretching. Use tennis balls first.
- Scoop drill. A partner bounces throws in front of the first baseman, who learns to stay down and let the ball come up into the glove.
- The 3-1 play. The first baseman fields a grounder and flips to a pitcher covering the bag. Repeat until it is smooth.
- Backhand and glove-side balls at third. Roll balls to the left of the third baseman, and ask him to field them with the backhand and throw.
- Barehand drill. Roll slow grounders and have the third baseman pick them up with his throwing hand and throw in one motion. Use soft balls.
- Crow hop and throw. From a few steps away, the third baseman fields a ball and crow-hops into a throw to first. Start with short distances and add distance as the arm warms up.
Always warm up before throwing, and stop when the arm feels tired.
Equipment
A first baseman uses a mitt, which is a rounded glove without separate fingers that scoops throws. It is longer than a standard fielder's glove. A third baseman uses a standard infielder's glove, which is smaller than an outfielder's glove so the ball can be removed quickly. Gloves should fit the player's hand and be broken in. Helmets and other protective gear are required in many leagues for certain situations, so follow your league's rules and ask your coach if you are unsure. For a history of the glove, see the evolution of the baseball glove for how today's designs came about.
Common mistakes
- Leaving the bag too early. At first base, many players leave the base as the throw is in the air, which turns an out into a safe call. Stay on the bag until the ball is on its way.
- Looking at the runner. Eyes off the ball, hands drop. Watch the ball into the glove.
- Standing straight. An upright third baseman cannot get his glove down on a hard grounder.
- Throwing without setting. A third baseman who throws off balance often misses the target. Take the extra half-second.
- No communication. Most infield collisions are the result of two players who thought the other would call it.
- Not knowing the situation. Before every pitch, know the outs, the runners and the plan.
Common questions
Who should play first base? A player who catches well and moves his feet, with height a bonus. It is not a position for the player who cannot catch.
Can a left-hander play third base? It is rare, because the throw to first requires turning the body. A left-hander is more common at first base and in the outfield.
How far is the throw from third to first? About 127 feet on a field with 90-foot bases, and about 85 feet with 60-foot bases.
What is a crow hop? A short skip step before the throw that lets the body gather power and aim at the target.
Should I let my child play only one position? Most youth coaches recommend that young players try several positions to build skills. Ask your child's coach and follow your league's guidance.
Where to go next
For the rest of the infield, read the guide to shortstop and second base, and for the plays that start at the plate, how to play catcher and how to bunt. For running the bases against these fielders, see baserunning fundamentals. Youth programs, rules and local resources are collected on the site's youth pages.