1st base

[jamesh23]

hey guys im really slow, very slow but I can hit really well and have some good power for my age, I hit the fence a few times this year in our 370 field. anyway I played 3rd but got beat out there and I catch, im good there but I cant do that every game. I also pitch so I want to play 1st base... but idk, I also have a good arm from the outfield but im too slow to play there... any tips please. how big and fast are D1 first baseman?

[TG Coach]

James ... You need to get off this "What do I need to do to play D1" kick and focus on being a quality high school player. This isn't the first time I've told you I believe you lack focus on the task at hand. When you're a dominating all-conference player you can start thinking about what it may take to play D1. However, D3 teams are loaded with former high school all-conference players. Have you ever been to a D1 game? Had you been at the D3 game (with one of the top ranked D3 teams) I attended this past weekend you might be questioning what it takes just to play college ball, let alone D1. Please consider this post tough love.

[jamesh23]

well the main question was what do I need to do to start varsity next year and first base I think is the really other open spot and I will need to learn to block and did.

[kylebee]

well the main question was what do I need to do to start varsity next year and first base I think is the really other open spot and I will need to learn to block and did.

Like TG Coach said, you need to focus on being the best HS player you can be right now. If you can hit, your bat will play at any position. However, it's important to know that if you are having difficulties holding down a defensive infield spot (anything but first base), colleges will be less interested. If you really can't hold down third base and you are slow, you should do your best to play a strong outfield position, or better yet, catch.

HS players who play first base and nothing else aren't very attractive to pro or college scouts, as 1b is the place where the second-rate third basemen and outfielders end up.

[jamesh23]

well the thing is at third everyone tells me im really good I field 98% of balls hit to me in practice cuz I know they are coming come a game though I choke and miss all of them, I blew my chance at third in a game we were down by 25 and I missed 3 straight groundballs hit my way... so ya, im really slow though, I can pitch, catch, and play outfield and the coach said im a utility idk what that means but ok. Outfield is my first love but I just want to start on varsity... our 2 1st basemen are graduating and the next one is a fat freshman who cant hit well at all.

[Drill]

You may have to do a reality check, or ask the coach what position you would be best at and get lessons, or ask the coach to stay after practice with you. If you have a good bat the coach will work with you.


drill

[jamesh23]

reality check? im not a GREAT hitter but my stats are in my sig, im hitting .466 on varsity so far. anyway I have started DH the last 2 games in district play and gotten hits both times but i'd like to play the field.

[CoachHenry]

Sounds like you need to have someone help you on your fielding. Not too many DH's get recruited, though it does happen OCCASIONALLY. You need buckets and buckets of baseballs hit at you with the focus being on your fielding mechanics. For each practice I'd start out with someone rolling you the ball from about 10ft away and you pefectly fielding the ball with perfect mechanics. Then move back to 20ft and have them overhand it a bit quicker. Move back to about 50ft and have the person hit you some easy grounders to you, to the left and to the right. You have to focus on perfect mechanics. Move back a bit further and so on until you are at regular depth taking easy ground balls. Again focus on perfect fielding. Don't worry about game speed ground balls right now, that comes later. Well maybe you can end up with a few but not many.

As far as your slowness, it's possible your body isn't in position to properly field. Maybe you mentioned it but I don't recall what year in HS you are. If you are not a Sr. then you should look into plyometrics to quicken up your feet. If you can afford it seek out a good trainer that gives lots of speed and agility lessons (individual or group). Go observe a few lessons and speak to some students and parents to see what they have to say.

What is your height and weight?

[CoachHenry]

I noticed that you said that you catch as well. If you can catch at the varsity level then you can't have slow feet. You might not be speedy but you have to be agile and "quick enough" to do that job.

[JeepTJ12]

Most of the time grades separate a D3 and D1 player unless they are exceptionally good. There are many D3 teams that could beat some D1 teams. Another thing is consistency. A pitcher should be able to hit his spots more often and a hitter should be able to hit those hard pitches. I like a 1st baseman that is taller than 6'2". He should be able to scoop anything with one bounce.

[azmatsfan]

It sounds to me like these are questions for your varsity baseball coaches. They're the ones that will decide where and when you'll play. You need to respect their decisions and take their suggestions to heart. Don't get defensive. They can tell you what you need to work on during the off-season to make yourself a better ball player.

[Jake Patterson]

well the main question was what do I need to do to start varsity next year and first base ...

Show the head coach you are the best first-baseman. All you can do is all you can do.

[jamesh23]

Sounds like you need to have someone help you on your fielding. Not too many DH's get recruited, though it does happen OCCASIONALLY. You need buckets and buckets of baseballs hit at you with the focus being on your fielding mechanics. For each practice I'd start out with someone rolling you the ball from about 10ft away and you pefectly fielding the ball with perfect mechanics. Then move back to 20ft and have them overhand it a bit quicker. Move back to about 50ft and have the person hit you some easy grounders to you, to the left and to the right. You have to focus on perfect mechanics. Move back a bit further and so on until you are at regular depth taking easy ground balls. Again focus on perfect fielding. Don't worry about game speed ground balls right now, that comes later. Well maybe you can end up with a few but not many.

As far as your slowness, it's possible your body isn't in position to properly field. Maybe you mentioned it but I don't recall what year in HS you are. If you are not a Sr. then you should look into plyometrics to quicken up your feet. If you can afford it seek out a good trainer that gives lots of speed and agility lessons (individual or group). Go observe a few lessons and speak to some students and parents to see what they have to say.

What is your height and weight?

I am 5'9" 160lbs I didnt mean slow like fielding wise, im slow runnign the bases wise. and like I can field 98% of the groundballs hit to me in practice but come game time I choke and field maybe 10%... it bites hard. Im also 15 and a sophomore, upcoming junior.