Proper footwork for left handed first baseman

[lmporter]

I have seen it both ways...

When a left handed first base man is holding a runner on the bag which of his feet should be on the bag.

I thought the left foot would be on the bag thus allowing a better stretch to get a throw from the pitcher. Last night I was told that it should be the right foot.

Thanks in advance.

[Baseball gLove]

Why does the foot need to be on the bag? There is no force if the runner is on 1st base, except for a fly ball. Perhaps you'd place the foot next to the bag to take away part of the bag for a tag.

[Stealth]

Your right foot should be next to the bag. Both heels should be on the foul line on the home plate side of first base. This way you can put the tag down but more importantly you can move in either direction when the pitcher makes a bad throw. You should never have one foot stretched out toward the pitcher when holding a runner on - IMHO.

[AltaLomaStorm]

We like to position our left handed 1st baseman in front of the bag with their left heel near the foul line and their right foot near the corner of the bag closest to 2nd base, as in the pictures below. Moving their right foot toward 2nd "opens them up" a little to go after a wild throw to their left.

Just a reminder, whatever you choose...BOTH feet need to be in fair territory.

[Maxx]

Guy in bottom photo looks like he is in foul territory......what's the ruling if he does not have both feet in fair territory?

[Ursa Major]

Guy in bottom photo looks like he is in foul territory......what's the ruling if he does not have both feet in fair territory?

Uh, the umpire says, "Hey, Firstbaseman, get your feet in fair territory!"

It's not like you can appeal a play after the fact because the first baseman wasn't in fair territory.

[Baseball gLove]

Guy in bottom photo looks like he is in foul territory......what's the ruling if he does not have both feet in fair territory?

It's a Fielder's balk. There is no penalty, it's a don't do it. The blue can toss you if you persist.

[StraightGrain11]

It's a Fielder's balk. There is no penalty, it's a don't do it. The blue can toss you if you persist.

Why is there no penalty for "breaking" a rule? What's the point of the rule then?
Or is it along the same lines of a runner(s) must return to (touch) his bag after a foul ball is hit?

Rule 4.03
When the ball is put in play at the start of, or during a game, all fielders other than the catcher shall be on fair territory.