Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-04-23
HOW TO PLAY FIRST BASE
BY FRED TENNEY, First Baseman New York Team.

too sure of the out. and did not get the
ball as quickly as he might have Meet
the BAH with hands well out from the
body and then give back, and the hard
est thrown balls will be comparatively
easy to handle. If man does not get
ir the habit of receiving all throws in
this fashion, his hands will suffer and
, he will find himself on the injured list,
4. victim of the sore and bothersome
bone bruise
The most vital part of the work of a
good first baseman is the knack of
keeping the foot on the base when the
body is extended and in the most awk-
ward position. Educate the toe to stay
on the bag, at the same time getting
the body in front of the bah, Sc that,
if the hands miss, the body will stop it.
When an opponent is on the base
play just inside the bag with heels
touching the corners. One is then in a
position to turn to left or right to tag
the runner, or to run into the diamond
as tho ball is pitched, as the occasion
may call for. 1t is very necessary that
the man at first have a signal system
with the pitcher and catcher, so that
throw and not be taken unawares
1t is a very hard thing to recommend
following any certain style in playing
the position. There are as many STYLES
as there are men playing the position,
and all have their strong, and their
weak points Some favor playing close
to the plate, others well back from the
diamond; some believe in keeping on
the base, when a thrown ball is com
! ing, though the chances are a hundred
to one against their catching the ball
, if they do So, while others advocate
playing the game safe, and stepping
away from the base, if they think they
are liable to miss the ball; some at
| tempt to gather in all kinds of batted
balls that there is any possibility of
their reaching, while others do not at
| tempt 20 capture hits that they think
| can be reached by any other players
All these various styles have been fol-
lowed by the men who are enrolled
| OH the historic pages of baseball as
star first basemen, and consequently
1T VIII be seen that it is no mean I'M
dertaking to advise one method and
| dccry another.
The best way for beginner in the
position is to pick no one man for a
model. Let him see them all, study
| them and discover their strong points
Let him see how they do this and that,
and then try to do the same himself
This means hard work and plenty of it,
but in baseball, as in everything else
1t is the hard worker who wins sue
cess The ballplayer who always shirks
avoids practice whenever he can, and
| in general tries to take things easy, is
hurting no one more than himself. He
may believe that he is obtaining some
| easy money, but the effect of his idle
ness will soon begin to show, and he
will quickly be informed that his SER
vices are no longer required Success
in anything means lots of good hard
work, and in baseball the most strenu-
Gus of modern professionalism the
game is now profession, and a great
| one-the shirker has no place, and the
man who succeeds will be the one who
has ambition and nerve, and will not
be turned aside by misfortune.